POSC 1000(003) Introduction to Politics Unit One: Introduction Russell Alan Williams.

POSC 1000(003) Introduction to Politics

Unit One: IntroductionRussell Alan Williams

Unit One: IntroductionRequired Reading: Mintz, Chap. 1Unit Objectives:

Introduction of key political conceptsIntroduction to the field of “political science”

Outline:1. Introduction2. What is “politics”?3. Basic political concepts – “power” and the “common

good”4. What is “political science”?5. Why study political science?6. For next time

1) Introdctuction - themes

Politics is everywhereCitizens need to understand political processes

Politics is “unsavory”Its greasy . . .Full of conflict – it is not polite to disagree!!!!

“Core” political concepts are “contested”

Debate about basic ideas• E.g. “Public vs. Private”

Some say – politics is struggle over control/definition of concepts

“Political science is the “master” social science

All other departments are limited “subfields”

2) What is “Politics”?

Many definitions . . . Some focus on formal political institutions• E.g. media focus on political

parties/electionsSome focus on process that generate “authoritative” decisions• E.g. the making of laws/public policy

Some see politics as “procedural” – process of struggling over resources• Very wide definition – politics would be

everywhere(!)

Textbook: Politics: Activity relating to influencing, making, or implementing collective decisions for a political community

=the authoritative definition

E.g. Deciding what to spend government money on is political, but deciding what you spend your money is not . . . .

Politics often associated with conflictActors struggle over competing agendas• War < -------------- > Elections

What causes conflict?

1) Different “interests”• Actors have different interests in public

policy – E.g. Tuition fees

2) Different ideas or “values”• Actors pursue policies that reflect their beliefs

– Different than interestsE.g. Religious beliefs on abortion

• Can lead to worse conflicts– Harder to compromise over beliefs

Argument: Canada is a more “civil” community because there is less conflict over values– Text: Most Canadians are “liberal”????

3) The struggle for “Power”

Argument: Power generates political conflict

• You need to be in control to ensure that others cannot impose their will on you . . .

• Some suggest that many who participate in modern politics do so only to seek “power”

E.g. Canadian Liberal PartyE.g. U.S. Democratic Party

3) Basic Political ConceptsA) Power: Ability to achieve an objective by

influencing the behavior of others Get them to do what they would not otherwise

have done.

Achieved by:Coercion – threats of negative consequences• E.g. Law enforcement or military aggression

Inducement – offering rewards or bribes• E.g. Patronage

Persuasion – use of “information” to get people to act the way you want them to• E.g. Government health advisories or “Propaganda”

Three “faces” of power: Argument that power is not simply about who makes and enforces decisions; it is often more subtle

1. =Ability to affect decisions about issues

2. =Ability to ensure that some issues are not raised

“Political Agenda”: Issues that are considered important and are given priority by governments

3. =Ability to affect dominant ideas of society

Who has power?

1) “Pluralist Perspective”: Individual freedom in liberal democracies means many groups, actors and individuals can possess power

• All have opportunities to influence government and public policy

Result: Politics attempts to satisfy wishes of “the many”

“Pluralist System”: System where many different interests are able to influence decisions of governments.

• E.g. Democracies not dominated by elites and entrenched interests (traditionally associated with the U.S. ??????)

Who has power?

2) “Elitist Perspective”: Power in all societies is concentrated in the hands of the few.

• Economic and social elite really in charge

Result: Democracy is a sham (!)

Where does power come from?

1) Capabilities (?) • E.g. Guns and such = coercion

2) Authority: Right to exercise power. Those in authority are an accepted government.• E.g. Winning political parties• E.g. Dictators

3) “Legitimacy”: Acceptance by the members of the community (the public) that those in positions of authority have a “right” to govern.

Sources:Charismatic authority: Based on the perception of extraordinary qualities of a leader.

E.g. “Devotion” to Yasser ArafatTraditional authority: Customs and cultural practices that establish the rights of certain persons to rule.

E.g. Tribal elders, Monarchs and SenatorsLegal-Rational authority: Right to rule based on legal rules and procedures, rather than personal qualities of rulers.

E.g. Leaders chosen in free and fair elections

B) “Common Good”: What is good for the entire community . . .

a.k.a “General welfare” or “national interest”Key to political struggles

• E.g. No politician ever campaigned by saying that their policies are good for some of the community

Question: How do we define the common good?

Two perspectives:

1) Individualist Perspective: Common good is what serves interest of individuals

“No such thing as society” - People should be free to pursue their own goals

Result: limited government involvement in peoples lives

Problems:1) What if we all want different and mutually

contradictory things? E.g. different interests

2) “Free Rider Problem”:

1) Individualist Perspective: Common good is what serves interest of individuals

“No such thing as society” - People should be free to pursue their own goals

Result: limited government involvement in peoples lives

Problems:1) What if we all want different and mutually

contradictory things? E.g. different interests

2) “Free Rider Problem”: A problem with voluntary collective action, because all actors can enjoy benefits of group action without contributing• E.g. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions

– Requires government to achieve the common good . . . .

2) Collectivist Perspective: Common good is what serves interest of community as a whole

Suggest that individuals should sacrifice own interests for good of the community

Problems?1) Less popular today – associated with fascism

and communism

2) Raises problematic questions about “who” the community is . . . .

4) What is Political Science“Political Science”: The systematic study of politics.

-Is it a science?

Research strategies:Empirical Analysis: Careful observation and comparison of facts to draw causal connections

• E.g. Why are women less likely to run for office than men?

Normative Analysis: Careful examination of the ideas and values that govern, or should govern society.

• E.g. Should there be more women elected?

Policy Analysis: Careful evaluation of existing and alternative policies that may respond to a particular problems.

• E.g. What policies might help more women get elected?

Subfields:Comparative Politics: Focuses on domestic political systems. Tries to draw conclusion based on comparisons.

E.g. What electoral system is better?

International Relations: Focuses on relations amongst states and global politics

E.g. What causes war?

Political Theory/Philosophy: Focuses on debates about how the community should be governed

E.g. Is the Canadian Charter of Rights good?

5) Why study politics?Its good for us . . .

Collectivist perspective – for civic reasons!We can make our communities better by understanding politics

Individualist perspective – for self interest!Knowing how the world works can help you get ahead . . .

• Only 4% of Memorial students are PS majors• Almost 20% of employment is in PS related fields:

– Government, law, communications . . .

6) For next time:

Unit Two: Nations, States and Globalization - Required Reading: Mintz, Chap 2, pp. 27-51.