Politics and Government

Politics and government : 

Politics and government Power and Authority

Politics and GovernmentPower and Authority : 

Politics and GovernmentPower and Authority Max Weber defined power as the ability to achieve desired ends despite resistance from the people Government is a formal organization that directs the political life of a society, which exercises authority Few governments force their will, they govern through authority, a power that is legitimate rather than coercive. Weber identifies 3 sources of authority

A. Traditional Authority : 

A. Traditional Authority Characteristics: Common in Pre-industrialized societies Sacred in character As Societies Industrialize traditional authority declines the same with cultural diversity Traditional Authority is still expressed in Canada, example; parental dominance over children, the domination of women over men. Is defined as power legitimatized by respect for long-established cultural patterns.

B. Rational-Legal Authority : 

B. Rational-Legal Authority Bureaucratic authority stresses achievement over ascribed characteristics Underlies most of Canada’s authority today This type of authority resides in position rather than the person occupying it Rational-legal authority come not from family, but from the position held in a government organization. Rational-legal authority is accepted and given up according to law Rational-legal or bureaucratic authority is defined as power legitimated by legally enacted rules and regulations, in the operation of lawful government.

C. Charismatic Authority : 

C. Charismatic Authority Charismatic authority has little to do with social organization the impact of one’s charisma released is seen in an outpouring of emotion Examples; Princess Diana, Martin Luther King Jr., Hitler, and Pierre Elliot Trudeau Charismatic movement is dependant on its leader, long term persistence requires routinization of charisma, the transformation into a combination of traditional and bureaucratic authority. Charismatic Authority is defined as power through extraordinary personal abilities that inspires devotion and obedience.

Charismatic Authority : 

Charismatic Authority Christianity is an example of charismatic authority process. Christ’s charisma was routinized in the tradition and bureaucratic structure of the Roman Catholic Church

II. Politics In Global Perspective : 

II. Politics In Global Perspective Hunting and gathering societies, leader had either unusual strength, hunting skills or charisma with modest power over others, they did have prestige, and not more wealth than others Agrarian societies had a development of traditional authority As a political organization grows to the formation of political state, and technology advancement increases its power Political organizations have evolved toward nation-states, nation-states are recognized today

Four Categories of Political Systems : 

Four Categories of Political Systems A monarchy is a type of Political system where power is passed from generation to generation in a single family , legitimized Through tradition. Absolute Monarchies flourished in the medieval era, mostly replaced today with constitutional monarchies, as symbols of state. Monarchy

Categories of Political Systems : 

Categories of Political Systems Democracy refers to a political system in which power is exercised by the people as a whole. Therefore as a representative democracy, that places authority in the hands of elected officials who are accountable to the people Such a system is found in relatively rich societies across the world Characterized by rational-legal patterns of authority and function as bureaucracies In Canada large scale bureaucracies who are unelected make decisions for us, if they listen to anyone it is likely the wealthy/rich. B. Democracy

Democracy and Freedom: Capitalist and Socialist Approaches : 

Democracy and Freedom: Capitalist and Socialist Approaches Capitalist and Socialist countries have different political systems, both provide freedom for their people Canada & the US and Europe political freedom means the freedom to vote

Categories of Political Systems : 

Categories of Political Systems Authoritarianism refers to the denial of popular participation in government. To some degree this is true for all political systems, authoritarianism characterizes political systems that are indifferent to peoples lives Saudi Arabia & Ethiopia are current examples “soft authoritarianism” stifles dissent and at the same time provides prosperity and security. C. Authoritarianism

Categories of Political Systems : 

Categories of Political Systems Totalitarianism characterizes a restrictive political control system, a government that extensively. Regulates people’s lives These systems have emerged within this century Technological means have enabled governments to rigidly regulate citizens activities Bridge the political continuum from the far right (Nazi Germany) to the far left (People’s Republic of China). D. Totalitarianism

E. A Global Political System? : 

E. A Global Political System? Economic systems have become global, no similar development has taken place politically United Nations plays a limited role in global politics Multi-national corporations make economic decisions that cannot be controlled by individual nations, which suggests that these corporations represent a new political order Greenpeace, a non-governmental organization seeks to advance universal principles

III. Politics in CanadaA. Culture, Economics, and Politics : 

III. Politics in CanadaA. Culture, Economics, and Politics Canada endorses individualism and are concerned with the good of the collectively, endorsing interventionism government. Thoughts differ about what the government should do, example pay more attention to child care or pay equity and others that the government does too much Socio-economic status and regional sub cultures reflections that are represented in the policies of Canada’s political parties.

III. Politics in CanadaB. Political Parties : 

III. Politics in CanadaB. Political Parties Political parties are organizations operating within the political system that seeks control of the government. The conservative, liberal and NDP are three main parties that can trace their origins back to 1840, the latter after the First World War. Functions of Political Parties Political Parties serve important functions: a. To promote political pluralism, increasing political involvement b. Selecting political candidates c. forging political coalitions and maintaining political stability

III. Politics in Canada : 

III. Politics in Canada 2. Political Ideology The political spectrum in Canada ranges on the left Communism to extreme conservatism on the right, places Canada’s political parties on left-right continuum The political left tends to be collectivist and interventionist The political right individualist and non-interventionist The differences are not always cut so clearly

Politics in Canada : 

Politics in Canada 3. Parties on the Political Spectrum

Politics in Canada : 

Politics in Canada 4. Party Support Consistent till 1993 the Liberals kept support across Canada Bloc Quebecois and Reform party drew heave support in the west and Quebec Conservative and NDP lost support 1997-2000 1988,1993,1997 and 2000 shows shifts in national voting Province to province changes show popular support is poorly related to # of seats won

III. Politics in CanadaC. Politics and the Individual : 

III. Politics in CanadaC. Politics and the Individual 1. Political Socialization First agent in political socialization is the family, children of the politically involved, and upper socioeconomic parents Educational institutes and mass media are significant agents, ex TV, plays a dominate role Opinion polls, questioned if they shape rather than reflect opinion Adult interest and occupational groups become involved in political socialization Image creation Gore religiosity

III. Politics in CanadaC. Politics and the Individual : 

III. Politics in CanadaC. Politics and the Individual 2. Political Participation Not everyone participates in politics, esp., those who feel the system does not respond to their needs The Spicer Commission (1991) found Canadians are cynical about politicians and the political process & distrust of elites Research in 1965 characterized political participation at three levels, gladiator, transitional and spectator. 70% turn out for Canadian federal elections, U.S. just 50+% Provincial and municipal levels is less Aboriginal Natives have become more active in politics to protect interests long ignored

III. Politics in CanadaC. Politics and the Individual : 

III. Politics in CanadaC. Politics and the Individual The Participation of Women Woman acquired the right to vote in federal and most provincial elections by 1918 Agnes McPhail ran successfully for parliament in 1921 A female cabinet member was named in 1957 Audrey McLaughlin became a party leader in 1989 Kim Campbell became Prime Minister in 1993 Woman are still underrepresented in Parliament they have moved from 5% of M.P.’s in 1980 to 21% in 2000

VI. Theoretical Analysis of Power in Society : 

VI. Theoretical Analysis of Power in Society A. The Pluralist Model This approach is linked to the structural-functional paradigm The Pluralist Model is an analysis of politics that views power (modern democratic societies) are led by many competing interest groups There is no single person or single elitist group that can dominate the government The elites (businesses and corporations) are integrated and accommodate each others interests

VI. Theoretical Analysis of Power in Society : 

VI. Theoretical Analysis of Power in Society B. The Power Elite Model is an analysis of politics that views power as concentrated among the rich. Dominated by a coalition of the super rich, its economy, government, and military. Sociologists like Vilfredo Pareto, Gaetano Mosca, Robert Michels, and C. Wright Mills Economic power in Canada is ruled by economic or corporate elite which is becoming increasingly powerful. Networks bind economic, political and bureaucratic elites have a vested interest in maintaining the capitalist system.

Slide 24: 

Robert Michel's (1876-1936) developed what he called the iron law of oligarchy (see Michel's, 1911/1959). The principle suggests that as organizations get larger, they will eventually be controlled by a few in the organization. This happens regardless of the fact that whether the organization was democratic or not.

VI. Theoretical Analysis of Power in Society : 

VI. Theoretical Analysis of Power in Society C. The Marxist Model: Bias in the System Itself Marxist political-economy model explains politics in terms of societies economic system. The capitalistic system shuts out those politically who do not exercise political power. A majority of Canadians support the power elite theory The elite do not always get their own way, Labour unions, feminists have successfully taken on big business, and won favourable policy changes The power of the media communicates political decision-making

Dependency Theory : 

Dependency Theory Some argue that a country depends so much on another country that it is controlled and indirectly governed by that other country. Such is the case of Canada. A Maclean’s year-end poll in 2004 revealed that Canadians were concerned about losing their independence to the United States (Maclean’s, 2004). Harold Innis (1894-1952) noted that politics in Canada is affected much by other countries and particularly, the United States, and to understand the politics of this country, we have to have a global picture. Innis suggested that there is a dependent relationship between Canada and the United States. In many ways, Canada depends on the United States. His staples theory points to the fact that Canada exports staple products or raw materials to other countries and is not able to develop a robust industry of its own. Staples production led to the neglect of manufacturing in Canada and in this way adversely affected the development of the economy. Provinces such as British Columbia and Alberta exported lumbers or forestry products to other countries. In return, they make a meagre profit that does not justify the cost of damage on the environment. For example, for 16 aspen trees each 16-metres high, Alberta will get $1.40 while the Japanese pulp companies will sell the bleached pulp for about $950 and paper refined from the pulp will market for between $1,300 and $2,000 (Nikiforuk and Struzik, 1989). The baseline is that the dependency on another country and exports of raw materials hinder the development of industries in Canada and make it even more dependent on other countries.

V. Power Beyond the Rules : 

V. Power Beyond the Rules A. Revolution Political revolution is the political overthrow of one political system in order to establish another. Reform involves change within a system, revolution means change of the system itself. No political system is immune to revolution.

A. Revolution : 

A. Revolution General patterns characteristic of revolution include: Rising expectations Non-responsiveness of the government Radical leadership by intellectuals Establishing a new legitimacy Canada experienced revolutionary potential when Quebec almost voted to begin a process to sovereignty

B. Terrorism : 

B. Terrorism Terrorism, is the use of violence or threat of violence by an individual or group as a political strategy. First insight, it elevates violence to a legitimate political tactic Second, it is compatible with totalitarian government as a means of sustaining widespread fear and intimidation to reach what is called state terrorism.

B. Terrorism : 

B. Terrorism Third, extensive civil liberties make democratic societies vulnerable to terrorism. Canada experienced terrorism in the 1960’s at the hands of FLQ and in 1970 when PM Pierre E. Trudeau suspended civil liberties to deal with the crisis Fourth, one person’s terrorist is another person’s freedom fighter, definition is important

VI. War & Peace : 

VI. War & Peace War is defined as organized armed conflict among people of various societies. Peace, implies the absence of war, but not all conflicts. 100.000 Canadians lost their live in WWI & WWII. A. The Causes of War War is a product of society. Quincy Wright (1890-1970) identified five factors that promote war (see Wright, 1935):   1. Perceived threats – society mobilize in response to a perceived threat to their people.   2. Social problems – Internal problems cause political leaders to divert attention by attacking an external enemy.   3. Political objectives – War may be used to achieve political objectives. Example: the Gulf War enables the US to maintain a stable supply of petroleum.   4. Moral objectives – War is used to protect and defend one’s moral and religious values, e.g., freedom and liberty.   5. The absence of alternatives

The Costs and Causes of Militarism : 

The Costs and Causes of Militarism The cost of militarism runs far greater than actual war. To fund it governments must divert resources away from social needs. Globally, 5 trillion dollars is spent annually on Militarism, in the US 19% of government spending goes towards military and related activities. An economy that relies on militarism to generate corporate profits suggests a military-industrial complex, where a close association between the Federal government, military, and defence. Regional conflicts have helped maintain militarism.

Nuclear Weapons : 

Nuclear Weapons The 25,000 Nuclear Weapons in existence today have incredible destructive capabilities. Nuclear proliferation, the acquisition of nuclear weapons technology by more societies places all at risk.

Information Warfare : 

Information Warfare Computers may effect warfare by paralyzing an enemy’s fighting capacity. The technological sophisticated weapons system maybe the most vulnerable to cyber-attack!

Slide 35: 

Approaches that can be used to reduce the danger of nuclear war, these include: Deterrence High-technology defense (strategic defense initiative) Diplomacy and disarmament Resolving underlying conflict Canada’s Peacekeepers play a dominate role United Nations forces. The Pursuit of Peace

VII. Looking Ahead: Politics in the 21st Century : 

VII. Looking Ahead: Politics in the 21st Century Just as global economies change so must global political processes, however slow The information revolution provides information that the government cannot exclude from their boundaries The limits of Cold War thinking is declining New centers of political powers arise While things are in a sea of constant change, we must learn to resolve conflicts and enlist powers of peace

VIII. Summary : 

VIII. Summary Aboriginal self-government is a current issue that has deep political historic roots. Parliament recognized the inherent right to Aboriginal self government 1984 Aboriginal peoples have negotiated or are negotiation self—government under a wide rage of agreements Canada and the U.S. claim to be democratic but fail to involve half the adult pop. In political processes. Political apathy is an important challenge for the decade ahead. War, the spread of nuclear tech. threatens the planet Nuclear weapons is a danger that has to be faced.