Intro to Goverment Class Number 2
Path Dependence, the State, and Regimes
Path dependence and history matters in political science
The idea that politics are path dependent: history creates opportunities and shapes future outcomes
History matters because where we come from influences where we are going
This class blends political science with historical discussion to illustrate how processes unfold over time
The linkage between politics and economics
If politics is about who gets what, when, and how, economics is fundamentally linked to it
Examples illustrating abstraction: recreational fishing in Kansas, and the idea of the state as the broad concept of The United States or France as the state
The state as the coercive institution that shapes economic and social life
The state vs. the economy: historical and theoretical distinctions matter for understanding policy and society
The state as a coercive institution
The state can compel action in a way an employer cannot:
An employer can threaten firing, but the state can threaten (and enforce) much more severe consequences
The stop sign example: a stop sign communicates a directive from the state, not just a voluntary instruction
The state’s communication is backed by force: disobedience can lead to armed enforcement, lights, sirens, and penalties
The stop sign: it’s not merely a suggestion but a state-mandated instruction with potential coercive consequences if ignored
The state’s use of force is presented as legitimate when it maintains the smooth functioning of a working commercial society
Legitimacy and its limits
Legitimacy is argued to be mostly present in practice, but not without exceptions
Locke’s concept of an “appeal to heaven” is invoked when legitimacy is questioned (you only know when legitimacy is withdrawn by observing consequences)
The lack of absolute scientific rigor in political science is acknowledged, especially when contrasted with laws of thermodynamics in physical sciences
The study of politics as decision-making about the state
Political science studies the process of deciding what to do with the state within a given territory
The state’s ability to use coercion defines the geographic scope of politics (territory as a chunk of geography)
Citizenship, persons, and due process
Citizenship: born or naturalized, you are a citizen of The United States if you are subject to the jurisdiction thereof, and you are entitled to the privileges and immunities of citizenship
Persons: as a person in The United States, you are entitled to life, liberty, and process, and you cannot be deprived of either without due process of law, nor can you be denied equal protection of the laws as a person
This marks an expansion of who counts as “us” for legal purposes; however, court cases on these matters are not yet complete
The speaker uses a visual or diagrammatic emphasis to indicate distinctions between legal concepts (e.g., how individuals are framed within the system)
Institutions and behavior: three ideal categories of governance
The speaker outlines three broad categories of government: rule by one, rule by a few, or rule by many
Those in power will describe their system in ideal-type terms when asked, presenting the best-case scenario
Ideal type of rule by one: true monarchy
Aristotle’s view: in the real world, monarchies tend to drift toward tyranny (self-interested rule by one)
Tyranny is framed as the self-interested rule of one person
The relationship between wealth, power, and political legitimacy
The political line is typically drawn somewhere between the rich and the not rich
To maintain political function, both the rich and the non-rich must be engaged in the political process; otherwise, two risks emerge:
The rich may exploit the poor
The poor may seize power
Connecting the ideas to broader political theory and practice
The discussion touches on foundational ideas of legitimacy, coercion, and rights
It blends historical examples (e.g., US Steel as a historical symbol of state-business integration) with theoretical concepts about the state’s coercive power
It highlights the importance of understanding state power, legitimacy, and the distribution of goods (who gets what, when, and how) in evaluating political systems
Examples and metaphors used in the lecture
US Steel as an illustration of a historic link between state and economy
The stop sign as a state communication that carries force if disobeyed
The pit maneuver and potential enforcement actions as vivid reminders of coercive state power
The moral and practical implications of government legitimacy, including real-world consequences when legitimacy is questioned
Key terms and concepts to remember
Path dependence: history matters and shapes future political and economic possibilities
Coercive institution: the state’s ability to compel behavior through force or threat of force
Legitimacy: the perceived rightful authority of the state; often present but not guaranteed
Due process: legal guarantees of fair treatment in the judicial process
Equal protection: laws applying equally to all persons within the jurisdiction
Territory: a geographical area under a state’s control
Citizenship: legal status entitling individuals to rights and protections within a state
Privileges and immunities: rights accorded to citizens or certain classes of people within a state
Regimes: the basic forms of government categorized by number of rulers: one, a few, or many
True monarchy: ideal form of rule by one person
Tyranny: the real-world drift toward self-interested rule by one person
Aristotle’s political theory: ideal vs. real-world governance
Connections to broader themes in political science
Path dependence informs how institutions evolve and constrain future choices
The relationship between state power and economic life shapes policy outcomes
Legitimacy and coercion are central to understanding state stability and reform
The tension between the interests of the rich and the not-rich is a recurring theme in evaluating political systems
Practical implications and reflections
The state’s legitimacy can fluctuate based on outcomes and public perception
Understanding the difference between idealized forms of government and actual practice helps explain political dynamics
The balance between inclusion of different social groups and the prevention of exploitation or power grabs is a central challenge for any regime