Authority and Government 7.1 – The Political Institution

7.1 – The Political Institution

Frameworks for Government Political sociology is concerned with how social trends, dynamics, and structures of domination affect politics. It also explores how various social forces work together to change policies. There are two major theoretical frameworks: pluralism and the power-elite theory. For pluralists, the distribution of power is determined by the diverse interests of different factions. These factions compete in a contest of ideas, attempting to create a larger coalition than their opponents. Power-elite theory indicates that the wealthy and powerful maintain a concentration of power and do whatever it takes to maintain that privilege. Kings and dictators are the result. Fear exists that a military-industrial complex can emerge. Authority –

Power and Persuasion Power is the ability to achieve desired ends despite resistance from others. Those who achieve power in the politics have great control over governance. No government is likely to keep power for long if compliance comes only through the threat of brute force. Even dictatorships need voluntary compliance. The concept of hard and soft power is a continuum with different degrees of coercion or persuasion. These instruments are punishment, compulsion, inducement, agenda setting, persuasion and attraction Hard Power – (coercion) Soft Power – (influence)

Hard and Soft Power The effectiveness of hard and soft power approaches depends on the accessibility of resources. Large states such as the USA or Russia with a higher national income are financially able to maintain large armed forces and to put other states economically under pressure. For smaller states, these traditional tools of hard power are more difficult to obtain. The accessibility of soft power resources depends on influence rather than size. Israel wields great soft power. Another important aspect of the hard-soft-power continuum is time. It appears that generating hard power requires much less time as its resources are tangible. In contrast, soft power takes relatively long to build as its intangible resources develop over a long period of time. While military or economic coercion tends to result in an immediate but short-duration outcome, persuasion has the tendency to cause long- term change. (Example – Germany post WWII, Iraq War)

America won the Iraq War but never established a lasting democracy America won the Iraq War but never established a lasting democracy. How does this illustrate the use of power?

Democracy Democracy – Leadership is linked to elective office, not the individual person Important factors in a 21st century Democracy: access to information, industrialization or mechanization of production, education that provides opportunity for success in global market Social Contract –

Democracies Require the following conditions

Authoritarianism Authoritarianism – Political system that denies people participation in government. Junta – authoritarian system which a militarized group has seized power from the previous government by force Regimes typically try to hang on to power rather than create progress, taking national wealth for their personal use. Wide spread corruption is common.

Why do so few countries on Earth have a state religion?

Theocracy Theocracy - Sharia - In the modern era, sharia-based criminal laws were widely replaced by statutes inspired by European models. Judicial procedures and legal education in the Muslim world were likewise brought in line with European practice. While the constitutions of most Muslim-majority states contain references to sharia, its classical rules were largely retained only in personal status (family) laws

Can Sharia and modern Western democracy be compatible?

Totalitarianism Totalitarianism differs from Authoritarianism because the government controls all social, political and economic institutions, and media Totalitarianism – A manufactured dominant ideology is imposed forcing conformity morally and intellectually Propaganda – Totalitarian dictators are very charismatic and are able to enlist widespread public support by using nationalism or patriotism to their advantage

How does a totalitarian regime exert total control over its population?

How does a Government exercise total control?

Examine the following use of propaganda and explain its goals.