sovereignty, authority & power

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Sovereignty, Authority Sovereignty, Authority & Power & Power What is a ‘state’? States, Nations & Regimes Democracies, Authoritarian Regimes & Military Regimes

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Sovereignty, Authority & Power. What is a ‘state’? States, Nations & Regimes Democracies, Authoritarian Regimes & Military Regimes. Power is territorially organized into states Max Weber (German scholar) defined state as: - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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Page 1: Sovereignty, Authority & Power

Sovereignty, Authority Sovereignty, Authority & Power& Power

What is a ‘state’?States, Nations & Regimes

Democracies, Authoritarian Regimes & Military Regimes

Page 2: Sovereignty, Authority & Power

IntroductionIntroduction

Power is territorially organized into states Max Weber (German scholar) defined state as:

◦ The organization that maintains a monopoly of violence over a territory◦ The state determines who can and cannot use weapons of force, and it set

rules to how violence is used◦ States sponsor armies, navies, and/or air forces

But citizens are often limited in their use of force Institutions:

◦ Stable, long-lasting organizations that help turn political ideas into policy◦ Common institutions: bureaucracies, legislatures, judicial systems & political

parties◦ Institutions help keep a state long-lasting; leaders change, but institutions

don’t States exercise sovereignty: ability to carry out actions or policies

w/in their borders independently from interference from inside or outside forces◦ A state unable to exercise sovereignty lacks autonomy◦ States with less autonomy are sometimes exploited by larger, stronger,

more stable states◦ The states referred to are typically industrializing countries and exist in the

southern hemisphere

Page 3: Sovereignty, Authority & Power

States, Nations, RegimesStates, Nations, Regimes

Page 4: Sovereignty, Authority & Power

DemocraciesDemocracies

Democracy is type of regime that bases its authority on the will of the people

Indirect◦ Elected officials representing the people

Direct◦ Individuals have immediate say over many decisions that the gov’t

makes Most democracies are indirect (due to large populations) Three major branches (typically)

◦ Executive, legislative, judicial◦ Some are Parliamentary:

Citizens vote for legislative representatives; representatives vote for select leaders of the executive branch

◦ Some are Presidential: Citizens vote for legislative AND executive branch leaders Two branches function w/ separation of powers

Democracies vary in the degree to which they regulate economy, but businesses, corporations and/or companies generally operate independently from gov’t

Page 5: Sovereignty, Authority & Power

Democratic TypesDemocratic Types

Parliamentary Presidential Parliamentary sovereignty governs

decision-making In theory: legislature makes the laws,

controls finances, appoints and dismisses prime minister and debates public issues

Reality: strong party discipline, cabinet initiates policy (Tony Blair criticism)

Majority party in legislature typically votes for bills proposed by leadership

No separation of powers exist (Prime Minister and Cabinet are members of the same majority party)

Separation in the executive branch: Head of Gov’t and Head of state◦ Queen is head of state (symoblizes power)◦ Prime Minister is head of gov’t (every day

task of running gov’t

Roles of head of state and head of gov’t are given to same person- President

President is directly elected by the people and serves as Chief executive

Checks & balances between legislative, executive & judicial

As a result:◦ Power is diffused◦ Policy-making is slowed down

Each branch MUST have an independent base of authority recognized and respected by politicians & the public◦ Nigeria and Mexico have presidential

system, but branches are not truly independent of one another

Page 6: Sovereignty, Authority & Power

Presidential: Parliamentary:

Page 7: Sovereignty, Authority & Power

Authoritarian RegimesAuthoritarian Regimes

Decisions made by political elites w/out much input from citizens◦These regimes may be ruled by single dictator,

monarch, small group of aristocrats, or single political party

◦Economy is tightly controlled by ruling eliteRegime Types:

◦Communism as altered by V. Lenin◦Corporatism

Gov’t officials interact w/ business & labor leaders before policy is set

◦Patron-client systems Reciprocal favors and services provided to supporters

Page 8: Sovereignty, Authority & Power

Totalitarianism & Military RegimesTotalitarianism & Military Regimes

Totalitarianism Military Regimes

If people accept authority of authoritative leaders, then gov’t is legitimate

Totalitarianism has negative connotations- used to describe often detested and/or corrupt regimes

Totalitarian gov’t seek to control all facets of peoples’ lives- economy, politics and social

Totalitarian gov’ts use force/violence as a techniqe for destroying any obstacles to their governance

Prevalent in Latin America, Africa & parts of Asia

States w/ instability are ripe for military intervention

Rule usually begins w/ a coup d’ etat (forced takeover)

Coup may or may not have widespread support

Military leaders often restrict civil rights, liberties and keep political parties from forming

A specific ideology is usually lacking◦ Leaders often lack charisma and

lack traditional source of authority

Page 9: Sovereignty, Authority & Power

Lecture Highlights/Key PointsLecture Highlights/Key Points

Power is territorially organized into statesStates exercise sovereignty Institutions help keep a state stable and functionaryDemocracy is based on will of the peopleMost democracies are indirectTwo types of prevailing democracies: Parliament &

PresidentialAuthoritarian and Totalitarian regimes are not one in

the sameTotalitarian regimes use force to compensate for lack

of legitimacy Military regimes lack legitimacy and found in states

with instability and/or internal violence