chapter 14 politics and government in global perspective

Chapter 14

Politics and Government in Global Perspective

Chapter Outline Politics Power and Authority Political Systems in Global Perspective Perspectives on Power and Political

Systems The U.S. Political System

Chapter Outline Government Bureaucracy The Military and Militarism Terrorism and War Politics and Government in the Future

Politics, Power and Authority Politics is the social institution through which

power is acquired and exercised by some people and groups.

Government is the formal organization that has the legal and political authority to regulate relationships among members of a society and between the society and those outside its borders.

The state is the political entity that possesses a legitimate monopoly over the use of force within its territory to achieve its goals.

Political Sociology Political sociology examines the nature and

consequences of power within or between societies, as well as the social and political conflicts that lead to changes in the allocation of power.

Political sociology primarily focuses on the social circumstances of politics and explores how the political arena and its actors are intertwined with social institutions such as the economy, religion, education, and the media.

How Much Do You Know About the Media? True or False?

Almost all movies in the United States are distributed by six large studios.

How Much Do You Know About the Media? True.

Six major studios—Columbia, Paramount, 20th Century-Fox, MCA/Universal, Time Warner, and Disney—distribute not only the films they produce but also most of the films made by independent producers.

How Much Do You Know About the Media? True or False?

Both major U.S. political parties have been accused of purchasing television commercials with money from questionable campaign contributions.

How Much Do You Know About the Media? True.

“Soft money” contributions, which are made outside the limits imposed by federal election laws, have allegedly been used by both parties for campaign style ads, but leaders of the national political parties claimed that their own ads were about social issues, not candidates.

Power and Authority Power is the ability of persons or groups

to achieve their goals despite opposition from others.

Authority is power that people accept as legitimate rather than coercive.

Ideal Types of Authority Traditional

Kings, Queens, Emperors, religious dignitaries

Charismatic politicians, soldiers, entertainers

Rational–legal elected officials

Question Traditional authority is based on:

a. a leader's exceptional personal qualities.

b. written rules and regulations of law.

c. documents such as the U.S. Constitution.

d. long-standing custom.

Answer: d Traditional authority is based on a long-

standing custom.

Question Napoleon, Julius Caesar, Martin Luther

King, Jr., Caesar Chavez, and Mother Teresa are examples of:

a. charismatic authority.

b. traditional authority.

c. rational-legal authority.

d. nontraditional authority.

Answer: a Napoleon, Julius Caesar, Martin Luther

King, Jr., Caesar Chavez, and Mother Teresa are examples of charismatic authority.

Political Systems in Global Perspective Political institutions emerged when

agrarian societies acquired surpluses and developed social inequality.

When cities developed, the city-state became the center of political power.

Nation-states emerged as countries acquired the ability to defend their borders.

Nation-states Approximately 190 nation-states currently

exist throughout the world. Today, everyone is born, lives, and dies

under the auspices of a nation-state Four types of political systems are found

in nation-states: monarchy, authoritarianism, totalitarianism, and democracy.

Weber’s Three Types of Authority

Type Example

Traditional Patrimony Patriarchy

CharismaticNapoleon

César ChávezMother Teresa

Rational-LegalModern British

ParliamentU.S. presidency

Types of Political Systems A monarchy is a political system in which

power resides in one person or family and is passed from generation to generation through lines of inheritance.

Authoritarianism - A political system controlled by rulers who deny popular participation in government.

Types of Political Systems Totalitarianism - A political system in which the

state seeks to regulate all aspects of people's public and private lives.

Democracy - A political system in which the people hold the ruling power either directly or through elected representatives.

Functionalist Perspectives: Pluralist Model The functions of government:

maintain law and order plan and direct society meet social needs handle international relations

Conflict Perspectives: Elite Models Power in political systems is in the hands of a

small group of elites and the masses are relatively powerless.

Decisions are made by the elites, who agree on the basic values and goals of society.

The needs and concerns of the masses are not often given full consideration by the elite.

Purpose of a Political Party Develop and articulate policy positions. Educate voters about issues and simplify

the choices for them. Recruit candidates, help them win office,

hold them responsible for implementing the party’s positions.

Political Socialization Political socialization is the process by

which people learn political attitudes, values, and behavior.

Voter Apathy 10% of the voting-age population

participates at a level higher than voting. Over the past 40 years, less than half the

voting-age population has voted in nonpresidential elections.

In many other Western nations, the average turnout is 80 to 90% of all eligible voters.

Question Have you registered to vote?

a. Yes

b. No

c. Not eligible

Question Did you vote in the last election?

a. Yes

b. No

c. Not eligible

Why Eligible Voters Don’t VoteConservative argument: People are satisfied with the status quo,

are uninformed and lack an understanding of government processes.

Liberal argument: People feel alienated from politics due to

corruption and influence peddling by special interests and large corporations.

Question _____ is the process by which people

learn political attitudes, values, and behavior.

a. Indoctrination

b. Military training

c. Resocialization

d. Political socialization

Answer: d Political socialization is the process by

which people learn political attitudes, values, and behavior.

Question Generally speaking, do you usually think

of yourself as a Republican, Democrat, Independent, or what?

GSS National Data

Income Low Middle High

Democrat 52.9% 48.2% 42.6%

Independent 18.6 17.1 13.8

Republican 28.5 34.7 43.6

Voter Preferences in the 2004 Presidential Election

Gender Republican Democrat

Men 55% 44%

Women 48 52


Race/Ethnicity

Republican Democrat

Whites 58 41

African Americans 11 88

Latinos/as 43 56

Asian Americans 41 58


Age Republican Democrat

18–29 45 54

30–44 53 46

45–59 51 48

60 and older 54 46


Education Republican Democrat

Did not graduate from high school

49 50

High school graduate 52 47

Some college 54 46

College graduate 52 46


Region Republican Democrat

Eastern U.S. 44 56

Midwest 51 49

Southern U.S. 57 43

Western U.S. 49 51


Income Republican Democrat

Under $15,000 36 63

$15,000–$29,999 42 57

$30,000–$49,999 48 50

Over $50,000 56 43

Question How would you characterize your

political views?

a. Far left

b. Liberal

c. Middle-of-the-road

d. Conservative

e. Far right

Percentage of All Federal Civilian Jobs Held by White Men, 2000

Example of the Iron Triangle of Power

The Military And Militarism Militarism is a societal focus on military

ideals and an aggressive preparedness for war.

Explanations for Militarism

1. The economy.

2. The role of the nation and its inclination toward coercion in response to perceived threats.

3. Patriarchy and the relationship between militarism and masculinity.

Question The three-way arrangement in which a private

interest group, a congressional committee, and a bureaucratic agency make the final decision on a political issue that is to be decided by that agency is known as:

a. political subversion.b. the iron law of oligarchy.c. the iron triangle of power.d. the power elite.

Answer: c The three-way arrangement in which a

private interest group, a congressional committee, and a bureaucratic agency make the final decision on a political issue that is to be decided by that agency is known as the iron triangle of power.

Terrorism Calculated, unlawful physical force or threats of

violence against a government, organization, or individual to gain some political, religious, economic, or social objective.

Political terrorism uses intimidation, coercion, threats of harm, and other violence that attempts to bring about a significant change in or overthrow an existing government.

Types of Political Terrorism1. Revolutionary terrorism -violence against

civilians carried out by enemies of the government who want to bring about change.

2. State-sponsored terrorism - when a government provides money, weapons, and training for terrorists who conduct their activities in other nations.

3. Repressive terrorism - conducted by a government against its citizens to protect existing political order.

War Organized, armed conflict between nations or

distinct political factions. Declared wars : between nations or parties. Undeclared wars: civil and guerrilla wars,

covert operations, and terrorism. War involves behavior intended to bring pain,

injury, and/or psychological stress to people or to harm or destroy property.

War is a form of collective violence.

War 589 wars have been fought by 142 countries

since 1500 and that approximately 142 million lives have been lost.

World War I took the lives of approximately 8 million combatants and 1 million civilians.

In World War II, more than 50 million people lost their lives.

Quick Quiz

1. The formal organization that has the legal and political authority to regulate the relationships among members of a society and between the society and those outside its borders is:

a. government

b. politics

c. state

d. political economy

Answer: a The formal organization that has the legal

and political authority to regulate the relationships among members of a society and between the society and those outside its borders is government.

2. A type of political system in which the people hold the ruling power either directly or through elected officials is:

a. authoritarianism

b. democracy

c. monarchy

d. totalitarianism

Answer: b A type of political system in which the

people hold the ruling power either directly or through elected officials is a democracy.

3. The social institution through which power is acquired and exercised by some people and groups is:

a. government

b. politics

c. the state

d. the political economy

Answer: b The social institution through which

power is acquired and exercised by some people and groups is politics.

4. The political entity that possesses a legitimate monopoly over the use of force within its territory to achieve its goals is:

a. government

b. politics

c. the state

d. the political economy

Answer: c The political entity that possesses a

legitimate monopoly over the use of force within its territory to achieve its goals is the state.

5. Rational-Legal Authority has office-holders that are:

a. recognized for their heritage.

b. recognized for their personality.

c. recognized for their abilities.

d. recognized because they were elected or appointed.

Answer: d Rational-Legal Authority has office-

holders that are recognized because they were elected or appointed.

6. All of the following are characteristics of the elite model except that

a. decisions are made on behalf of the people by leaders who engage in bargaining, accommodation and compromise.

b. consensus exists among the elite on the basic values and goals of society.

c. Power is highly concentrated at the top of a pyramid-shaped social hierarchy.

d. public policy reflects the values and preferences of the elite.

Answer: a Rational-Legal Authority has office-

holders that are recognized for their heritage.

chapter 14 politics and government in global perspective

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