Factions Electoral Practices Political Parties Special Interest Groups The Media

1. FactionsElectoral PracticesPolitical Parties Special Interest Groups The Media AP Comparative Government Unit IV- Part 2

2. Organizing the Polity • Definition of Politics • Activities surrounding election to an office • Seeking power and control • Establishing public policy • Promoting change • A method for people to get what they want • Interest aggregation

3. Who are the Political Elites? • Recruitment -- anyone is eligible . . . BUT: • Tends to be MALE-dominated in our 6 states • Female involvement in 2006 local elections in GB • Middle or upper classbackground • If from lower class they generally have “enlightened” backgrounds • Training is usually absorbed with education and getting involved within the party system • Communist systems also pursue “trained” technicians; + people who will attack the bureaucracy ideologically.

4. Political Party • Group that tries to achieve power through election • Parties use organized attempts to get power • Goals: • win representation and power • nation-building • mobilization - whip up the masses

5. Political Party • Political party bases of support are drawn from: • Social class SES • Religious connections • Ethnic differences • Gender • Age • Regionalism

6. Political Party Functions • Nomination of candidates • Information • Interest articulation -- i.e. former Soviet Union allowed spokesmen at all levels of government • Vehicle for citizen participation • Recruitment- of elites and others • Communication -- watchdog • Interest aggregation --legislation on issues • Policy-making = outputs • Policy implementation- Bureaucrats oversees

7. One- Party States • Democracy is a way to mobilize the masses. . . not just a way to voice one’s opinions. . . • Democratic centralism-- all leaders are voted in, and the top calls the shots. • Lack of diversity • No watchdogs of power • Lack of powerful factions • No voice for change • Turnover of power diminished • Interest aggregation lessened

8. Political Participation How do voters participate and achieve political efficacy? 1. Vote, follow voting patterns 2. Join the party 3. Civil disobedience--demonstrations. 4. Enter campaigns -- Elites 5. Monetary contributions-- SIGS PACS 6. Riots, VIOLENCE 7. No support- apathy

9. Interest Aggregation • Another Way to Participate and Affect Change • The political demands of groups and individuals are combined into policy programs. • Bringing people of like minds together to seek change or make demands on the government • A way for members of a society to express their needs to a system of government • Includes Interest groupsandCompetitive party systems

10. Pluralist Interest Group Systems Multiple groups may represent a single societal interest Group membership voluntary and limited Groups often have a loose or decentralized organizational structure A clear separation between interest groups and the government Corporatist Systems Controlled Interest Group Systems Democratic Corporatist Interest Group Systems A single group for each social sector Membership is often compulsory and often universal Each group is normally hierarchically organized Groups are controlled by the government or its agents in order to mobilize support for government policy Groups are often systematically involved in making and implementing policy Interest Group Systems

11. Corporatism v. Pluralism • Pluralistic groups • Don’t necessarily have government support • Membership is not mandatory for interest groups • Decentralized decision making. • Interest groups compete with each other for influence. • Not necessarily involved in policy making. • Distant authoritative influence because the interest groups may not have the ear of government • Conflictual and informal relationships. Corporatist Groups • Consensual and formal relationships with government • A select number of groups (business, labor, NGO’s) interact with government to make policy. • Gov’t accepts their input as the groups seek a common good in controlling policy making. • Group membership is compulsory. • Decision-making is hierarchical and very centralized. • Weak patron-client connections if at all. • This is not a camarilla

12. Anomic Groups generally spontaneous groups with a collective response to a particular frustration Poll tax rebellion Mexican assassinations Non-associational Groups rarely well organized and their activity is dependent upon the issue at hand. They differ from Anomic groups in that they are usually similar to one another and have a common identity. Ethnic groups Institutional Groups mostly formal and have some other political or social function in addition to the particular interest. Government agencies and bureaus Military groups Associational Groups formed explicitly to represent an issue of a particular group Unions Gun right groups Medical issue groups The Four Types of Interest GroupsAs identified by Gabriel Almond

13. Clientelism • Clientelism refers to a form of social organization common in many developing regions characterized by "patron-client" relationships. • In such places, relatively powerful and rich "patrons" promise to provide relatively powerless and poor "clients" with jobs, protection, infrastructure, and other benefits in exchange for votes and other forms of loyalty including labor. • These relationships are typically exploitative, often resulting in the perpetual indebtedness of the clients in what is described as a "debt-peonage" relationship. • In some instances, patrons employ coercion, intimidation, sabotage, and even violence to maintain control, and some fail to deliver on their promises. • Moreover, patrons are oftentimes unaccountable for their actions. Thus relationships are often corrupt and unfair, thereby obstructing the processes of implementing true sustainability.

14. Same Song, Different Tune… • Prebendelism in Nigeria • Very much prevalent in the social and political fabric of Nigeria. In fact, this corruption is so stubbornly ingrained within the societies of Nigeria that little has been done to end the corruption.    • Camarilla in Mexico • A politician’s personal following; a group of individuals with a common political interest. • Guānxi in China • Describes the basic dynamic in the complex nature of personalized networks of influence and social relationships, and is a central concept in Chinese society • Nomenklatura in Russia • A small, elite subset of the general population in the Soviet Union and other Eastern Bloc countries who held various key administrative positions in all spheres of those countries' activity: government, industry, agriculture, education, etc.

15. Voting and Elections • How often do people vote? • Who do the people vote for? • What are the types of voting patterns?

16. Great Britain

17. Influences on British Factions • Pragmatic ideology-- promoted suffrage • embody Noblesse oblige • Welfare state, w/o socialist roots • centralized economy. . . works best • London stronghold • trade unions -- TUC-- heavy welfare--oriented • Financial sector • CORPORATISM

18. Great Britain: Voting and Elections • Great Britain- Unitary system • Voting is easy and uncomplicated • House of Commons • Single-member plurality voting system. • Do not need Majority to be successful, just win the most votes of those running. • Party chooses candidates of MP, not the voter • Prime Minister • PM is not on a national ballot • PM has power to call new elections • Uses public opinion to time for best personal advantage

19. Westminster system • The Westminster System is a democratic system of government modeled after that of the United Kingdom and in used in a number of Commonwealth nations such as Canada, Australia, Singapore, Jamaica, Ireland, New Zealand, and India

20. The Conservatives (Tories) Noblesse oblige Organization Thatcherism and after “Big Society” ideas David Cameron- current Prime Minister Labour Party Crisis-motivated radicalization of 1960’s and 70’s New Labour was a “third way” Blair’s waning popularity at the end of his term led to PM Gordon Brown’s unpopularity in ’09 Current shadow minister Ed Milliband The Two Major Political Parties in GB

21. Other Political Parties in GB • The Liberal Democrats – merger of the Liberals and the Social Democrats (SDP) • Has the largest members of all the third parties and currently is part of a coalition government • Deputy PM Nick Clegg • Other Minor Parties – the rise in Scottish, Welsh, and Irish nationalism has led to moderate growth in support for regional parties.

22. Public Policy of the 1980’s: The Thatcher Revolution • The Domestic politics of Margaret Thatcher: (“The Iron Lady”) • The retreat from the “commanding heights” • Nationalizing and privatizing • Rolling back the welfare state • PROS AND CONS • Thatcher’s supporters say she saved the British economy by bring both inflation and unemployment under control and by creating a more dynamic private sector. • Thatcher’s detractors say she created new problems and exacerbated existing ones by widening the gap between rich and poor and by allowing public services to deteriorate.

23. Conservative’s Demise in late 20th Century • 1997 Conservative vote was lowest in 20th century • Were citizens tired of its rule? • Conservative party is now an English party. • New London mayor is a Tory • Labour won 2/3 of seats w/ only 43 % of vote.-- because of electoral process. • Thatcher did the dirty work during her reign to stay in control • Majors couldn’t keep party under control and lost election of ’97 and the rematch in ’02.

24. Public Policy of the 1990’s: The Blair Revolution • Domestic Politics of Tony Blair • Did not roll back all of Thatcher’s (and John Major’s) reforms • “The New Deal” • Government spending as a percentage of GNP shrank • Welfare that gave recipients skills to find jobs rather than just benefits • Tuition increase • Placed a tolling London drivers to reduce traffic congestion • PROS AND CONS • Blair’s supporters say he created the Third Way – combining the best aspects of the socialist goals commitment to equality with a market economy. • Blair’s detractors say he sold out the left and created “Thatcher lite.”

25. British 'Pressure Groups' • Pressure groups are organizations which aim to influence Parliament and government in the way that decisions are made and carried out. • They have become much more important in politics in recent years, with many people no longer choosing to involve themselves in the traditional political parties and instead to work through single-issue groups. • There is a huge range of pressure groups, campaigning on issues including animal welfare, education, the environment, equality for ethnic minorities, health, housing, rural affairs and welfare rights. • Some pressure groups work through radical protest • Yet, others seek influence in more traditional ways, • for example by encouraging people to write to their MPs or petition the government.

26. Types of British Pressure Groups • Pressure groups are often divided into Sectional Groups and Cause Groups, the former also being known as Interest groups. • Sectional or Interest groups exist to defend and promote the material interests of their members. • Trades unions, and trade associations are examples, together with groups such as the National Farmers' Union. • Cause Groups, as the name indicates exist to promote a cause which has nothing to do with members' material welfare. • Such groups campaign for a cause: nuclear disarmament, the abolition of blood sports, restrictions on abortion, are all examples of the policies Cause Groups strive to achieve.

27. Important British Business and Labor Unions • The Confederation of British Industry • The CBI helps create and sustain the conditions in which businesses in the United Kingdom can compete and prosper for the benefit of all. • The top lobbying organization for UK business on national and international issues. • The Trades Union Congress • TUC has 58 affiliated unions • TUC membership now stands at 58 unions, representing nearly six and a half million people

28. Media in the U.K. http://www.bbc.co.uk/historyofthebbc//innovation/index.shtml • The British Broadcasting Company started life in 1922, when the government licensed the UK's six major radio manufacturers to form the new outfit. • NOT a government service • Licensedby the government • BBC Motto: "Nation shall speak peace unto Nation".

29. Mexico

30. Mexico: Voting and Elections • Mexico- Federal system • A “former” one-party system/dominant one-party system • PRI now challenged by left (PRD) and right (PAN • President has 1 six-year term • Bicameral Congress • Senate- 6-year terms • Federal Chamber of Deputies- 3-year terms • Most are single-member districts but some are elected by proportional representation

31. How to Take and Maintain Power in Mexico • For an political party to be successful in Mexico, it must convince the people that it can lead • Machismo • The PRI made a good case that it was the only party able to govern. (fear of the unknown) • If other parties manage that situation w/o a violent exchanges in the future, they will have a chance at success.

32. Traditional Mexican Politics • A corporationist approach to interest representation. • If one needs policy, join the camarilla. • In order for progress to occur, Mexico must control praetorianism (the control of a society by force or fraud) • Must be leaders not ideologists • Presidential powers are authoritarian in nature • Whole system “reeks” of President’s personality “ • Personalism • Patron-client and Caciquisimo (boss-politics) attitudes are very evident. • President must balance all the players (elites, SIGS, other parties) to rule effectively • Co-optation is evident and effective to head off political opponents.

33. Pre- 2000 MexicoThe Traditional One- Party State • Party+ President = Power! • Secretary General • National Executive Committee – CEN • National assembly (purpose - Support and Legitimize the presidency) • PRI Also controlled the: • CFE (Federal election Commission) • CNC (Peasants, Ejiditarious) • BUO-CTM (Labour) (oil) • CNOP (Popular Sector )

34. MEXICO and the PRI • How did the PRI maintain control despite its record of corruption? • Revolutionary fervor • Legitimacy through election • 2/3 vote in “old days” (1988) • A semblance that it was working • Open trade policy w/the U.S. • NAFTA • Weak opposition • It had the network (Patron Client) • The camarilla was strong

35. Other Mexican Parties • PAN: Partido Acción Nacional (National Action Party) • Church backed, business, wealthy supports it, North is strong hold; urban middle class -- support conservative issues. Cardenitas; anti-NAFTA. Gubernatorial support. • Zedillo brought them into the administration. • PAN has been rid with factions, taking away its strength. • Too often the PRI has taken its issues (privatization, closer ties the US) and used them. • Fox shifted emphasis to corruption • PRD: Democratic Revolutionary party • attacked corrupt campaign policies in 2006 • They get their support from frustrated middle class . anti NAFTA • More of a regional threat, not national but close to winning in ‘06. • too left for most, but not communist. • PRI hates the PRD, and has punished it in the past so no chance for coalition (?)

36. More Mexican Parties • Communists (PCM - PSUM) • anti-Soviet Union, moderate (former Trotsky’s) • Socialists • PPS - Anti-US, pro PRI, Nationalization • PST - socialists workers party, pro-oil platform • PMT • Mexican workers party, price controls, nationalization of oil resources will produce boom for consumer goods • PRT • Revolutionary party of the workers -- intellectuals anti-Soviet Union - Pro-Trotsky. . . Ran first woman for President in 1994.

37. The Downfall of the PRI • President Salinas (1988) established the “National Solidarity Program” to rid the PRI of “the old sectores”, and bring in new blood. • This program rejuvenated the PRI and brought great success in the 1992 elections but less in 1994 • President Zedillo (1994) who lacked a strong camarilla, exposed the PRI to scrutiny ( much like Gorbachev) and road a tide of political dissent

38. The Fall of the PRI • Numerous electoral reforms implemented since 1989 progressively opened the Mexican political system, and opposition parties have made historic gains in elections at all levels. • At the same time, this opening left Mexico’s political institutions divided.

39. The Fall of the PRI- 2000 • Elected in 2000, Vicente Fox is credited with ending one-party rule and consolidating the opening of Mexico’s political system. • His victory ended the Institutional Revolutionary Party’s (PRI) 71-year hold on the presidency. • President Fox completed his term on December 1, 2006, when Felipe Calderon assumed the presidency. • Under Fox, Mexico’s highest office became a true constitutional presidency, considerably weakened in comparison to the PRI years by the PAN’s lack of control over the Congress.

40. 2006 Presidential Race • Felipe Calderón • National Action Party (PAN) • 35.89% • Andrés Manuel LópezObrador • Coalition for the Good of All (PRD, PT, CV) • 35.31% • Roberto Madrazo • Alliance for Mexico (PRI, PVEM) • 22.26% • Patricia Mercado • Social Democratic and Peasant Alternative Party • 2.70%

41. 2006 Legislative Elections • National Action Party (PAN) • 33% • Coalition for the Good of All (PRD, CT, PT) • 29% • Alliance for Mexico (PRI, PVEM) • 28% • New Alliance Party • 4.5% • Social Democratic and Peasant Alternative Party • 2%

42. The most interesting aspect of the election was that the two other main parties, the right-center PAN, and the leftist PRD ran coalition candidates for governor in five states and were victorious in three. 2010 Governorships   The PRI won nine of the 12 governorships, but held nine governorships before the election.

43. 2012 Presidential Elections • PRI- 39.19%- Enrique Peña Nieto • PRD- 32.42%- Manual LópezObrador • PAN 26.05%- JosifinaVázquezMota • New Alliance 2.34%-Gabriel Quadri del Toro http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/world/story/2012-07-02/mexico-president-PRI/55989276/1

44. 2012 Election PRI and Peña Nieto in green PRD and LópezObrador in yellow PAN and VázquezMota in blue

47. The NEW (?) PRI- 2012-? • PRI DID NOT fade away. • It has an elaborate camarilla, budget and media support. • Corruption is helpful, stuffing ballot boxes, changing sites etc. • IFE clamped down on some fraud but 2006 led to an uprising in Mexico City in support for the PRD’s Obrador. • PRI is rural based for support. • So massive migrations to city has hurt the ability to control support. • Women support it more than men. • PRI stresses “Campaign of fear” which bothers women more. • Labor and older voters also support it.

48. Mexican Interest Groups • Military SIGS • Budget influences; protecting the country, not the PRI. • Corporation SIGS • Macquiadoras • CFE Federal Electricity Commission • The state-controlled CFE fuels some of its northern power plants with coal mined in Mexico but has to import coal for its distant Pacific coast plants. It is struggling with depleted reserves after a tender last year to supply its needs for 2008 was canceled due to high prices. • Large industrialists SIGS • Drug Lords SIGS

49. PEMEX • (Petraleos Mexicanos) is the world's fifth-largest oil company. • It is protected from competition in Mexico, where it enjoys a legal monopoly on the exploration, processing and sale of petroleum. • After prolonged controversy, President Lázaro Cárdenas expropriated all foreign oil interests on March 18, 1938, and set up Pemex to manage the consolidated industry. • In 2008 the Mexican Congress passed a series of energy reforms that included provisions to allow private investment in Pemex. • The approval was highly controversial, as the oil industry is required by the Mexican constitution to remain state-owned.

50. Mexican Media • Telmexhas 80% of Mexico’s landlines, and about 75% of its broadband connections. • Telcel, its sister company, has 70% of the mobile market. • Both now belong to América Móvil, which belong to Carlos Slim • America Movil operates across 18 countries in the Americas and is the biggest or second-biggest player in all but three. • With nearly 250m subscribers, it is the world’s third-biggest mobile-phone company, and accounts for about 60% of Mr Slim’s wealth.