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Political Realities

Political Realities. Lesson 7: Human Political Systems. Politics. Politics refers to a wide set of social practices including: Selecting a leader to make decisions and accomplish tasks This can be a government or an individual Also maintains social order and deals with outsiders

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Political Realities

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  1. PoliticalRealities Lesson 7: Human Political Systems

  2. Politics • Politics refers to a wide set of social practices including: • Selecting a leader to make decisions and accomplish tasks • This can be a government or an individual • Also maintains social order and deals with outsiders • Another key function of politics is to distribute power

  3. Power • Many definitions: • The book states – “power is a generalized capacity to transform” • Our definition – • “The ability to achieve a goal despite resistance.” • Thus, if you have power, you have the ability to exercise your will over others

  4. The Forms of Power • Authority • Socially approved use of power • Power can exist without authority • Direct and Indirect • Direct power (or coercive) involves using force • Indirect power (or persuasive) involves argument and ideology

  5. Hegemony • Hegemony is a form of indirect power • Antonio Gramsci • Observed that groups cannot constantly maintain power through force • Power has to be maintained through ideological means • Hegemony is an ideological form of power • Explains the right to rule • Justifies inequality

  6. Forms of Political Organization • Bands • Small scale groups • Food foragers • Egalitarian • Who is their leader? • Tribes • Smaller units of people linked together • Food producers • Some social distinctions • Who is their leader?

  7. Forms of Political Organization • Chiefdoms • Much larger groups • Egalitarianism completely eroded • Who is their leader? • States • Clearly defined geographic territory • Defends from external threat with a military and internal disorder with a police force • Rigid hierarchy • Controlled by a government

  8. Bureaucracy • Max Weber’s 6 key elements of bureaucracy • Specialization • Hierarchy • A Public Office • Rules and Regulation • Technical Competence • Impersonality • Do they always work perfectly?

  9. Exam Review Questions • What is the function of politics as a social institution? • What is the definition of the following forms of political organization? • Bands • Tribes • Chiefdoms • State • What is a nation? How does this differ from a state? • What types of leaders does Marvin Harris identify in “Life Without Chiefs”? • What is bureaucracy? • What are Weber’s six theoretical components? • What did Antonio Gramsci call the indirect power that he identified?

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