Understanding Political Systems: Power, Authority, and Influence

1. Chapter 14, Politics and Government in Global Perspective • Politics, Power and Authority • Political Systems in Global Perspective • Perspectives on Power and Political Systems

2. Chapter 14, Politics and Government in Global Perspective • The U.S. Political System • Governmental Bureaucracy • The Military and Militarism • Terrorism and War

3. Ideal Types of Authority • Traditional - kings, queens, pharaohs, emperors and religious dignitaries. • Charismatic - leaders with qualities that inspire loyalty and obedience • Rational-legal - based on organizational structure that includes division of labor, formal rules, and impersonality

4. Functionalist Perspective:Pluralist Model Functions of government • Maintaining law and order. • Planning and directing society. • Meeting social needs. • Handling international relations, including warfare.

5. Key Elements of Pluralism • Diverse needs are met by political leaders who engage in bargaining, accommodation and compromise. • Competition among leadership groups helps prevent abuse of power by any one group.

6. Key Elements of Pluralism • Power is widely dispersed in society. • Public policy is not always based on majority preference. • People can influence public policy.

7. Conflict Perspectives: Elite Models • Government exists for the benefit of wealthy or powerful elites. • Power is in the hands of a small group of elites, the masses are relatively powerless. • Government serves the interests of the ruling class.

8. Elite Models Key elements: • Decisions are made by the elite. • Consensus exists among the elite on the basic goals and values of society. • Power is highly concentrated at the top of a pyramid-shaped social hierarchy. • Public policy reflects the values and preferences of the elite, not the people.

9. Political Parties • Develops and articulates party positions. • Educates voters about issues and simplifies the choices for them. • Recruits candidates who agree with those policies, helps candidates win office, and holds the candidates responsible for implementing the party’s policy positions.

10. Democratic and Republican Parties: Ideal Type vs. Reality • Parties do not offer clear policy alternatives. • Parties are dominated by active elites. • Primary elections determine nominees. • Party loyalties are declining. • Media have replaced the party as a means of political communication.

11. Political Participation • 10% of the voting-age population participate at a higher level than simply voting. • 51% of the voting -age population voted in the 2000 presidential election. • U.S. has the lowest percentage of voter turnout of all Western nations.

12. Explanations for Militarism • Economy - military spending supports research and provides jobs. • Protection from outside attacks. • Development of manhood and male superiority has been historically linked to militarism and combat.

13. Types of Terrorism • Revolutionary - violence carried out by people who want to bring about political change. • Repressive - conducted by a government against citizens to protect a political order. • State-sponsored - occurs when a government provides financial resources, weapons and training for terrorists.