Lecture Lecture 44

Political power and democracy

Democracy: A Social Power Democracy: A Social Power AnalysisAnalysis

Democracy and freedom are the central values of modern society. But they've come to mean so many different things that they're almost meaningless. We find them being used to support the most anti-democratic policies…

……As mere propaganda slogans, they're

utilized by individuals and pressure groups to lend a halo of "Americanism" to their own private conquest of an ever larger share of the people's power.

Types of political systems: openTypes of political systems: open

Closed political systemsClosed political systems

A new social theoryA new social theory

The most important function of a new social theory is to provide a rationale and intellectual and moral sanction to what people are already doing - or what they want to do yet don't quite know how because it is at variance with traditional theories and institutions…

……This social power analysis is intended to

serve that purpose for people who are concerned about the concentration and irresponsibility of power in our society.

They will find it provides a framework of ideas within which they can create solutions consistent with democratic institutions and ideals.

SOCIAL POWERSOCIAL POWERSocial power is the basic, common

element in politics, economics, and all other social relationships. It is possessed by all individuals and social groups and arises out of their connections to each other. Robinson Crusoe, marooned on a desert island, didn't have to deal with it until he met Friday…

……

Social power has two aspects:1)The ability to influence others so as to further our own interests or desires.2) The ability to resist the activities of others.

Signs of totalitarianismSigns of totalitarianismThe power belongs to the same

political forceThe state controls all spheres of

public lifeCitizens do not have any rightsrepression

TotalitarianismTotalitarianism

Signs of authoritarianismSigns of authoritarianism The power belongs to one person or

group of personsThe government controls almost all

spheres of public lifeCitizens have only limited economic and

spiritual rightsPolice surveillance, repression

Authoritarianism

Signs of democracySigns of democracyPower belongs to the elected bodies,

the division into three branches, political pluralism

The state controls all spheres of public life, allowed private ownership

The constitutional protection of citizens' rights

Freedom of choice, speech, press, assembly

DemocracyDemocracy

Political IdeologyPolitical Ideology– –

a set of ideas, values , attitudes,

principles, based on which society

develops, the state

Conservative ideology: family, religion, Conservative ideology: family, religion, cultureculture

The liberal ideology: freedom, free from spiritual values , The liberal ideology: freedom, free from spiritual values , individualism, private propertyindividualism, private property

The nationalist ideology: the priority of the national The nationalist ideology: the priority of the national government, economy, culturegovernment, economy, culture

Nazi ideology: the priority of one nation, the Nazi ideology: the priority of one nation, the neglect of other nationsneglect of other nations

Komunisticheskaya ideology: internationalism, Komunisticheskaya ideology: internationalism, kolektivizm, atheismkolektivizm, atheism

Anarchist ideology: the lack of power, Anarchist ideology: the lack of power, government communitygovernment community

Types of political power Types of political power ::

TraditionalRationalcharismatic

Traditional Authority:Traditional Authority:Transmitted by traditionHereditary power: from parents

- the children and grandchildren ...As a rule, it is a monarchy (principalities, kingdoms…)

Traditional AuthorityTraditional Authority

The rational power The rational power ::Head of state chosen for his

professionalism, his apparent when the abilities and skills of political and administrative activity

An important factor in creating a rational An important factor in creating a rational authority - EDUCATIONauthority - EDUCATION

charismatic authority charismatic authority ::Ruler chosen for his charisma ("charisma" is

Greek for the extraordinary gift of the grace of God, a special spiritual power of the individual).

People support the charismatic leaders for their courage, innovative thinking, actions consistent with the interests of the whole society.

Charismatic personality made the revolution, reform, positive change in the life of mankind

Charismatic leadersCharismatic leaders

Charismatic policy storiesCharismatic policy stories

The charismatic statesmenThe charismatic statesmen

Thanks for your attention!