Poli sci 101; (CH2) The state and politics

Defining the state

The political entity whose government has ultimate authority to make decisions ending upon all those within the boundaries of that entity.

A Typology of states

Minimal state (night-watchman), Developmental state, Social democratic state

Minimal state (night-watchman)

The government concentrates on ensuring law & order

Developmental state

government acts in partnership with private industry in order to ensure rapid economic development

Social democratic state

Tries to secure goals such as equality of opportunity , through state intervention in areas like; education

Illiberal Democracies

elections are held, but aren’t usually meaningful, the state doesn’t make it a priority to guarantee rights and liberties. (Russia)

Authoritarian States

Elections aren’t free or fair, opposition parties are either banned or subjected to severe limitations (One part syayes , Tolitarian states)

Theories of state; Three main theories

1. Pluralism

2. Elitism

3. Marxism

Pluralism

power is spread across many groups in society

Elitism

Power is held by small group of elites

Marxism

Power is controlled by economic ruling class (rich)

Pluralism

No one group holds a dominant position, diff group are influential in different policy areas

Neo-pluralism is also known as ____

"Democratic elitism” (some groups are more advantaged that others, comp is not entirely free or fair

The government are not neutral ____, they have interests of their own

Umpires

____ asserts the competition between groups is a good thing

Pluralism

Elitism

Competiton between different groups

government Is biased towards groups

accepts specific groups with greatest economic power

Marxists agree with elitism that..

modern capitalist societies are dominated by a unified , self interested ruling group (Bourg.)

Marxism differ from elitism is…

1. specific about characteristics of ruling group in capitalist societies

2. believe that communist revolution will bring on an egalitarian society- existing hierarchical social structure will be abolished