Polisci 1130 Final

Politics

The process by which groups make collective decisions about power, resources, and public issues.

Politics vs. Government

Politics = process of conflict, negotiation, and decision-making

Government = institutions that make and enforce rules

Order

Stability and protection from chaos

Justice

Fair treatment and distribution of right/resources

Authority

The recognized right to exercise power

Legitimacy

Public belief that a government has the right to rule

Public Good

Benefits shared by everyone

Power

The ability to influence or control the behavior of others

What are the 6 sources of power?

Wealth

Force

Numbers

Ideas

State Action

Social Norms

Self interest

Acting to benefit oneself

Rational Choice Theory

People make decisions by weighing costs and benefits

Unitary System

Central government holds most power

Federal System

Power divided between national and regional governments

Liberal

More government involvement in economy

Emphasizes equality and social programs

Conservative

Limited government involvement in economy

Emphasizes tradition and free markets

Left

More equality and government action

Right

More individual freedom and traditional values

Anarachism

No government authority

Monarchism

Rule by a king or queen

Fascism

Extreme nationalism with authoritarian control

Capitalism

Private ownership and market competition

Socialism

Government/public ownership of major industries

Communism

Classless society, collective ownership

Libertarianism

Minimal government and maximum individual freedom

Major US Ideologies

Liberal

Conservative

Moderate

Libertarian

Populist

Media Literacy

Evaluating information critically

Critical thinking

Analyzing evidence before forming conclusions

What should be noted when using data?

Source

Sample Size

Bias

Context

Types of polls

Opinion polls

Exit polls

Benchmark polls

Tracking polls

What is a positive statement?

Fact-based, can be tested

ex. Voter turnout increased

What is a normative statement?

Opinion/value based

ex. Voter turnout should increase

Political Socialization

Process by which people form political beliefs

What are the agents of political socialization?

Family

School

Friends

Religion

Media

Political Participation

Activities intended to influence government

Examples of political participation?

Voting

Campaigning

Protesting

Contacting Officials

Donating Money

Running for office

General trends in voter participation?

Older people vote more

Higher income → more likely to vote

Higher education → more likely to vote

Presidential elections → higher voter turnout

Single-member district

One representative elected per district

At-large election

Entire community votes for representatives

Ranked-choice voting

Rank candidates in order of preference

Plurality

Most votes wins, even without over 50%

Majority

More than 50%

Proportional representation

Seats based on percentage of votes received

Winner-takes-all

Candidate with most votes gets all representation

Citizen

Person with legal rights and political participation rights

Subject

Person under a ruler with fewer political rights

Democratic functions of government

Maintain order

Provide public goods

Protect Rights

Defend nation

Manage economy

Democracy

Government where power comes from the people

Political participation

Citizens vote and engage

Political equality

Equal voting rights

Political freedom

Freedom of speech and expression

Majority rule with minority rights

Majority decides but minority protected

Free and fair elections

Honest competition

Rule of law

Everyone follows the law

Direct democracy

Citizens vote directly on issues

Representative democracy

Citizens elect representatives

Republic

Government where elected officials represent citizens

Parliamentary System

Executive comes from the legislature

Presidential system

Executive and legislature elected seperately

Ideas of Thomas Hobbs

State of nature → Life is "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short"

People give up freedoms for security

Natural right → self preservation

Government maintains order

Importance of gov. authority

Ideas of John Locke

State of nature → people are reasonable

Government protects rights

Natural rights → life, liberty, property

Declaration of independence

Ideas of Montesquieu

Humans seek peace

Government should limit power

Prevent Tyranny

Separation of powers / Checks and balances

Ideas of Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Humans are naturally good

Social contract → will of the people

Promote equality and freedom

Popular Sovereignty

Authoritarian government

Power concentrated in a leader or small group with limited freedoms

Types of authoritarian government

Military dictatorship (Junta)

Single party rule

Monarchy

Theocracy

Personal dictatorship

Strengths of democracy

Protects rights

Encourage participation

Accountability

Weaknesses of democracy

Slow

Political conflict

Strengths of authoriarianism

Fast

Stability

Weaknesses of authoritiarianism

Limited freedoms

Abuse of power

Warning signs of a dying democracy?

Weakening institutions

Attacks on media

Polarization

Ignoring election outcomes

Concentration of power

Examples of dying democracies

Hungary

Venezuela

Turkey

US

Insider strategies (change and revolutions)

Works within the system

ex. voting, lobbying, running for office

Outsider strategies (change and revolutions)

Pressure from outside

ex. protests, boycotts, civil disobedience

Revolution

Rapid and fundamental change in government of political system

Conditions that fuel revolutions?

Economic inequality

Government corruption

Political repression

Loss of legitimacy

Social unrest

Weak government