1. Political and Economic Systems
Chapter 15
Political and Economic Systems

2. Politics, Power, and Authority
Politics is the process by which power is distributed and decisions are made.
Power is the capability of making others comply with one’s decisions.
Authority is power that is regarded as legitimate by those over whom it is exercised.

3. Weber: Types of Authority
Legal-rational Authority - power in particular positions or offices, not in people.
Traditional authority - the idea that things are as they always have been and should remain that way.
Charismatic authority - a ruler’s ability to inspire passion and devotion among followers.

4. Charismatic leaders
Most likely to emerge during a period of crisis when followers:
Perceive a leader as somehow supernatural.
Blindly believe the leader’s statements.
Unconditionally comply with the leader’s directives.
Give the leader unqualified emotional commitment.

5. State
The institutionalized way of organizing power within territorial limits.

6. Functions of the State Establish laws and norms Provide social control
Ensure economic stability
Set goals
Protect against outside threats

7. Main Forms of Government
Autocracy
Totalitarianism
Democracy
Socialism

8. Autocracy Loyalty and devotion of the people are required.
Dissent and criticism of the government and the person in power are prohibited.
The media may be controlled by the government, and terror may be used to prevent or suppress dissent.

9. Elements of Totalitarianism
A single political party controls the state apparatus.
Terror intimidates the populace into conformity.
The control of the media is in the hands of the state.

10. Elements of Totalitarianism
Control over the military is monopolized by those who control the political power of the totalitarian state.
The government has control of the economy.
An elaborate ideology provides instructions to citizens on how to conduct their daily lives.

11. Democracy
A political system operating under the principles of constitutionalism, representative government, majority rule, civilian rule, and minority rights.
Representative government The authority to govern is achieved through, and legitimized by, popular elections.

12. Democracy Characteristics of ideal democratic societies:
Open and culturally diverse
Dissent is not viewed as disloyalty
There are two or more political parties
Terror and intimidation are not an overt part of the political scene

13. Question
Which of the following is not a characteristic of democratic political systems?
majority rule
direct government by the people
civilian rule
Constitutionalism

14. Answer: B
Direct government by the people is not a characteristic of democratic political systems.

15. Representative Government
Authority to govern is legitimized by popular elections.
Conditions required for Representative government:
Every qualified citizen has the legal right to run for and hold an office of government.
Majority rule must be maintained.
Minority rights must be protected

16. Capitalism
Economic system based on private ownership of the means of production, and in which resource allocation depends largely on market forces.

17. Capitalism Entitles people to pursue their own self-interests.
The free market will determine what is produced and at what price.
If people can profit from the production of a product, it will be produced.

18. Adam Smith and Capitalism
According to Smith, Capitalism has four features:
Private property
Freedom of choice
Freedom of competition
Freedom from government interference

19. Socialism
Based on idea that economic activity should be guided by needs rather than profit.
Under an ideal socialist system there would be:
Public ownership of production and property
Government control of the economy without a profit motive
Central planning

20. Democratic Socialism
State assumes ownership of strategic industries and services:
airlines, railways, banks, media, medical services and colleges.
Businesses can remain private as long as they are responsive to the common welfare.

21. Democratic Socialism
High taxes prevent excessive profits and the concentration of wealth.
Population receives extensive benefits, such as free medical care, free college education, or subsidized housing.

22. Rebellions
Attempts to achieve rapid political change that is not possible within existing institutions.
Rebellions typically do not call into question the legitimacy of power, but, rather, its uses. For example, Honduras last year…

23. Revolutions
Attempts at rapidly and dramatically changing a society’s previously existing structure.

24. Social Revolutions Two simultaneous and interrelated processes:
Transformation of social stratification, brought about by upheaval in the lower class(es).
Changes in the form of the state.
Examples:
French Revolution of the 1790s
Cuban Revolution of 1959

25. The Two-Party System
Besides the United States, only Australia, New Zealand, and Austria have two political parties.
The other democracies have more than two major parties and provide proportional representation for different political views.

26. The Two-Party System
In most European democracies, if a political party receives 12% of the vote, it is given 12% of the seats in the national legislature.
This ensures minority parties are represented.

27. Question
In politics today, do you generally consider yourself a Democrat or a Republican or what?
Democrat
Republican
Independent
Other

28. GSS National Data Age <30 30-49 50 and up Democrat 42.1% 45.9% 49%
Independent
22.2
17.6
12.7
Republican
35.7
36.5
38.3

29. U.S. Voter Participation by Selected Characteristics, 2004
Percentage Voting
Sex
Male
56.3
Female
60.1
Race
White
65.8
Black
Asian
29.8
Hispanic 28

30. U.S. Voter Participation by Selected Characteristics, 2004
Percentage Voting
Education Attained
Fewer than 9 years
23.6
High-school graduate
52.4
College graduate
72.6
Employment
Unemployed
46.4
Employed 60

31. African American and Hispanic Elected Officials, 1985–2001

32. Women Holding Office within State Legislatures, 1975–2003

33. Selected Characteristics of Members of Congress
Senators
Representatives
Sex (2002)
Male 86
376
Female 14 59
Race (1995)
White 98
369
Black 39
Asian-Pacific Islander 2 5
Hispanic 22

34. American Values: 1960s and Today
The 1960s
Today
Do not trust government in Washington to do the right thing.
23%
66%
Would like government to do more to help minorities.
50%
37%
There should be no laws against blacks and whites being able to marry.
36%
87%

35. American Values: 1960s and Today
The 1960s
Today
Homosexuals should have equal rights in terms of job opportunities.
56%
87%
Would vote for a well-qualified atheist for president.
18%
44%