Archive for December, 2010

Introduction

the political system is a subsystem of society and play a sufficient role in our lives.

The term political system refers to a procedure approved for the implementation and achievement of the objectives set out in the group.

Each company must maintain a political system based on the agreed procedures for the allocation of resources assessed. The political scientist Harold Lasswell in? S (1936) terms, the policy is, what, when and how. Just as religion and family, a political system is a cultural universal, it is a social institution in all societies

about government and politics in the United States and other industrialized countries focus. and pre-industrial societies. In their study of politics and political systems, social scientists in social interactions between individuals and groups and their impact on the overall political order are involved. For example, the investigation of the controversy surrounding the nomination of Judge Robert Bork, sociologists may want to focus on how a change in the structure of the U.S. Socialist Group? The growing importance of the black vote for the south of the Democratic candidates’ names? influenced (and ultimately confirm the outcome of the Battle of Bork) the court’s Howell Heflin and other senators. From the sociological point of view it is therefore a fundamental question: How is a nation of social conditions on his life from day to day political and policy

POWER in the center of an eye? ? political system. Power can be used as the ability to identify practice be defined? s will on others. In other words, if a party in a relationship, the behavior of another person or group exercising power. Power relations can are large organizations, small groups or people in an intimate club. Blood and Wolfe (1960) developed the concept of marital power to describe how decision making is distributed within the family.

There are three basic sources of power within a political system? Power, influence and authority. Force is the use or threat of coercive sanctions to see? s will on others. As a leader, or even execute political dissidents locked up, they are a force, so are terrorists when they seize a message or to assassinate a political leader. influence , on the other hand refers to the exercise of power by a process of persuasion. A person can change his position on a candidate for the Supreme Court over an editorial in a newspaper, the opinion of the law school dean before the Senate Judiciary Committee or an emotional speech during a rally by a political activist. In any case, to convince sociologists view such efforts as examples of human influence. Authority, the third source of power, will be discussed later.

Max Weber made a distinction between legitimate and illegitimate power. In a political sense, the term legitimacy refers to the “faith of the citizens that the government has the right to govern and that citizens must obey the rules and laws of this government.” Of course, the meaning of the term be extended beyond the sphere of government. Americans generally accept the power of parents, teachers and religious leaders as legitimate. But if the right of a state officer can not be accepted by most citizens (as is often the case when a dictator falls a government elected by the people), then the rules are illegitimate. If those who lack the legitimacy of power, they tend to use coercive methods to obtain control over social institutions maintained.

What is the political power among members of society?

political power is not distributed equally among all members of the distributed company. How far this inequality? Three theoretical perspectives to answer this question in three ways. First, the Marxist theories suggest that power is concentrated in the hands of the few who own the means of production .. Capitalists manipulate powerful social and cultural agreements to further increase their power and wealth, often at the expense of the weak

Second

, power elite theories agree that power is concentrated in the hands of a few people, the elite of the military, civil servants and business. This group consists of those who occupy the highest offices in our organizational hierarchies, they have similar backgrounds and similar interests and goals. According to this view has for any organization (including a nation-state) an innate tendency to oligarchy (rule by few) are.

Third, competing pluralist theories suggest that various groups and interests for political power. In contrast to Marxist theorists, and the power elite, pluralist see power as distributed among many individuals and groups that do not necessarily agree on what to do. Lobbyists for environmental groups, for example, hit with lobbyists for the coal mining industry to pollution control legislation. In this way the will of the people is translated into political action. Thurow, suggests that too many different opinions have come almost impossible for any public policy, both effective in solving social problems and to meeting the various stakeholders.

Species of power

The term “strong / strong> refers to is power that is institutionalized and is used by people over whom they exerted recognized. Sociologists generally with the concept in conjunction with those to keep the legitimate authority in elected positions or publicly acknowledged. It is important to note that a character? The authority is limited by the constraints of a particular social position. Thus, an arbitrator to decide the power, whether a penalty in a football game should be called, but has no power over the tickets for the game.

Max Weber (1947) provided a classification system for the power that is one became the most useful and frequently cited contributions of early sociology. He identified three ideal types of Authority:… are not traditional, legal-rational and charismatic Weber that companies just in a specific category on the contrary, all available in a society, but their degree of relative importance varies sociologists have found , Weberâ ™? s very useful typology for understanding the various manifestations of legitimate power in a society.

Traditional Authority

a political system based on traditional authority , legitimate power is conferred by custom and accepted practice. ONEA orders? S larger than legitimate, because “it is perceived as things always did. “For example, a king or a queen is taken over as leader of a nation by the mere fact of the inheritance of the crown. The monarch can be loved or hated, competent or destructive, in terms of legitimacy, it does not matter. For the traditional authority rests leader in custom, not personal characteristics, technical competence, or the written law.

Traditional authority is absolute in many cases, because the leader has the ability to determine the laws and policies. Because of the authority old custom is legitimized, is the traditional authority generally pre-industrial societies. However, this form of authority clear in the more developed countries. For example, a leader can on the image to have divine inspiration, as in the case of Japan? S Emperor Hirohito, who reigned during World War II. On another level, responsibility and leadership in a number of small businesses like grocery stores and restaurants, directly pass from parent to child and from generation to generation.

legal-rational authority

known. The leaders of these companies derive their authority, rules and regulations written political systems. For example, the authority of the U.S. President and Congress of the American Constitution legitimized. In general, in societies based on rational-legal authority, the leaders are seen as servants of the people. Are you not have a divine inspiration, as well as the heads of some companies with traditional forms of authority of the United States on how society, the rule of law values is legally defined borders of state power. Power is transferred to positions, not to any person. So, when Ronald Reagan became president in early 1981, he served as official powers and duties of his office determined as of the Constitution. When Reagan? The presidency ended, these powers were handed over to his successor.

When a president acting in the legitimate powers of office, but not to our taste, one may wish to choose a new president. But let’s not normal for the President argue? S power is illegitimate. However, if an employee is well above the performance of a desktop, as Richard can come Nixon of obstruction of justice in the investigation of the Watergate break-in, the official did? S power to be regarded as illegitimate . Moreover, as was the case of Nixon, the person can be forced to resign.

charismatic authority

Weber also observed that power can be legitimized by the charisma of an individual. The concept of charismatic authority refers to power legitimized by a guide? S exceptional personal or emotional appeal to his supporters. charisma of a person allowed to lead inspired or without relying on set rules or traditions. It is interesting that the authority of the faith of believers more than the actual qualities of leaders are derived. As long as people perceive that person as holding qualities it apart from ordinary citizens, leaders? The Authority will remain safe and often uncontested.

political scientist Ruth Ann Willner (1984) notes that any charismatic leader is based on values, beliefs and traditions of a society. Sexual activity in a conspicuous long Achmed Sukarno, Indonesian President his followers of the gods reminded of Japanese legends and was thus a sign of power and heroism considered. However, saw The Indians Mahatma Gandhiâ? S celibacy as a demonstration of superhuman self-discipline. Charismatic leaders also describes still in a highly respected religious and cultural heroes. Willner as Ayalollah Khomeini in Iran with Husein, a martyr Shiile Muslim religion is connected, and Fidel Castro Cuba with Jesus Christ

Unlike traditional ruler has a partnership, charismatic leaders often become known to break with the established institutions. and advocate for dramatic changes in social structure. The strong hold that they have on their trailers, it is simple, protest movements that build the prevailing norms and values of a society challenge. This charismatic leaders such as Jesus, Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King all used their power to make changes in accepted social behavior lobby. But then Adolf Hitler, whose charismatic was for the people of violent and destructive.

Since it is based on a complaint by a single individual, charismatic authority is necessarily much more than ephemeral either traditional authority or legal-rational. Accordingly try charismatic leaders, their position of power from seeking to strengthen other mechanisms of legitimacy. For example, Fidel Castro came to power in Cuba in 1959 as leader of a revolution of the people. But in the decades since seizing power Castro stood for election (unanimously) as a means to legitimize further his authority as leader Cuba.

If this authority is to extend the life of the charismatic leader, it has what is called Max Weber, the routinization of charismatic authority ? the process by which leadership initially with a person are integrated connected in traditional or rational-legal system. Such was the charismatic authority of Jesus transmitted as head of the Christian Church to the Apostle Peter, then to various prelates (or popes) of faith. Likewise, the emotional fervor supporting George Washington routine America? The constitutional system and the standard of the presidency to two terms. Once routinization has taken place, the Authority finally develops into a traditional or legal-rational.

As we mentioned earlier, used Weber’s traditional authority, legal-rational and charismatic as ideal types. In reality, connecting the leaders and in particular the political systems of elements of two or more of these forms. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy exercised power in large part by the legal-rational authority. At the same time they were unusually charismatic leaders who are (commanded personal loyalty of many Americans.

Types of State

Each company is a political system by which it is governed. In modern industrial nations, are a significant number of critical policy decisions are taken from the official government units five basic types of government views .. monarchy, oligarchy, dictatorship, totalitarianism and democracy

Monarchy

/ strong > is a form of government by an individual member of a royal family, usually a king, the queen of lace, or other hereditary sovereign. In ancient times, monarchs thought God had granted them a divine right to rule their country. subject to a rule On the basis of traditional forms of authority, while sometimes were accompanied by the use of force. In the 1980s hold monarch real governance in some countries, such as Monaco. Most monarchs have little practical power and are used mainly for ceremonial purposes.

oligarchy oligarchy is a form of government, usually a few individuals. This is a very old method of governance, which flourished in ancient Greece and Egypt made. Today, oligarchy often takes the form of military rule. Some developing countries from Africa, Asia and Latin America by small groups of officers who PowerA are confiscated to be excluded? is taken legitimately elected governments or other clans military s.

Strictly the term oligarchy is headed for the governments of some individuals reserved. But the Soviet Union and the People’s Republic? People’s Republic of China can be classified as oligarchies, if we extend the meaning of the sentence a bit. In any case, the power is in the hands of group A in power? of the Communist Party. In the can same direction, based on conflict theory argue that many industrialized countries “democratic” nations of the West should be right than oligarchies, because only a few really strong rule: the leaders of large business, government and army Later we will “Elite Model “Investigation of the American. political system more closely.

dictatorship and totalitarianism dictatorship is a government that a person has almost total power to make and enforce laws. dictators rule, particularly through the application of forced and often torture and executions. Generally, they use the power rather than freely chosen (as in a democracy) or inherit a position of power (as in the case of kings). Some dictators are quite charismatic and reach a certain “popularity”, although this support in the population is almost certain to be closely linked to fear. dictators others are bitter by the population over which they ruled with an iron fist.

Frequently dictatorships develop such overwhelming control over people hated? s life? they are called totalitarian. monarchies and oligarchies are also able to achieve this kind of dominance. totalitarianism includes almost complete government control and supervision of all aspects of social and political life in a society. Bolt Nazi Germany under Hitler and the Soviet Union were classified in the 1980s as a totalitarian States

political scientists Carl Friedrich and Zbigniew Brzezinski have six trains that identifies gild the totalitarian states, including:. ..

totalitarian large-scale operation of ideology companies offer an explanation for each part of the life of social, behavioral recovery, even the enemies are to be transported in simple (and. often distorted) conditions, for example. The Nazis blamed Jews for almost all. worst in Germany or other countries. If it’s a bad harvest due to drought, it was sure to be seen as a conspiracy of Jews. one-party systems. A totalitarian style has only one legal political party, which monopolizes the government offices. It permeates and controls all social institutions and serves as a source for wealth, prestige and power. The Gun Control. totalitarian states also monopolize the use of weapons. All military units under the control of artificial regime. terror. totalitarian states often bullying in general (such as the prohibition of unauthorized publications) and individual deterrence (such as torture and execution) maintain control (Bahry and Silver, 1987). Alexander Solzhenitsyn? s Gulag Archipelago (1973) describe the Soviet Union? the detention of political dissidents in psychiatric hospitals, where they are exposed to treatments of drugs and electric shock are. The media control. There is no “opposition press” in a totalitarian state. The media communicate official interpretations of events and reinforce the behaviors and favorable terms by the regime. control of the economy. totalitarian state control over key sectors of the economy. you to the private ownership of industry and small businesses resolve. In some cases, the central government production targets set for each industrial unit and directed to agriculture. The uprising of the Polish workersâ? union. solidarity, in the early 1980s in part to the government? ? power over production quotas, working conditions, and prices. These methods

, totalitarian governments deny the people’s representation in political decisions, economic and social problems that affect their lives. These governments have more control ubiquitous popular? ™ s fate .

democracy in a literal sense, democracy the government by the people, the word democracy originated in two Rootsi Greek demos, meaning “the people” or “the people and »;.?? ? kratia, meaning “ruler.” Of course, in the large populous countries, the government of all people are impractical at the national level. It would be more than 246 million Americans are impossible with the vote on any major issue comes before Congress. Therefore are democracies in general by participating in a manner known as maintained

The United States are generally classified as a representative democracy because we are members of Congress and the legislature of the elect government to manage the task of writing our laws. But critics of the representativeness of our democracy have called into question. The masses truly representative? Is it genuine self-government in the United States or simply the competition between powerful elites

Obviously, citizens are not effectively represented if they do not have the right to vote. Nevertheless, our country does not empower black men and 1870 women were not allowed to vote in presidential elections until 1920. Indians were citizens become (and vote) 1924, and as late as 1956, some states prevented Indians from voting in local elections if they lived on reservations.

means in contrast to dictatorships, monarchies, oligarchies, and under the democratic form of government an opposition which is tolerated or encouraged to exist in fact. In the U.S. we have two major parties’ policies? Democrats and Republicansâ? and several small parties. sociologists use the term to political parties to an organization whose goals relate to candidates in the elections to promote , in advance of an ideology, as reflected in positions on political issues to win elections and exercise power. that democracy’s two largest political parties (like U.S.) and includes a multi-party system (as in France and Israel), it is usually on the need for different views.

Seymour Martin payment including sociologists, tries to factors that help to identify democratic forms of government has to exist. He argues that a high level of economic development encourages both stability and democracy. Upset that conclusion reached after studying 50 countries and found a strong correlation between economic development and certain forms of government.

Why does it with such a link? In a society with a high level of development, the general population urbanized rather literate and better equipped to assist in the decision to participate and the views of its members have heard. Additionally, Upset as indicated, a relatively affluent society will be relative to respond to requests for government, citizens with low income. The poor in countries such as reasonably pursue career opportunities. Therefore, in the middle class found important common in industrial societies, so the poorest sections of society have an interest in economic and political stability.

trouble?? s formulation attacked by been Conflict theorists who are critical of the distribution of power within democracies. What we tend to see later believe many theorists of conflict that the U.S. is managed by a small elite economic and political. In the meantime, they observe that economic stability do not foster or guarantee of political freedoms. Lipset (1972) himself admits that democracy in practice is far from ideal, and we must differentiate between different degrees of democracy in democratic systems of government. We can not assume that a high level of economic development or self-proclaimed label of to ensure “democracy”, the representation of freedom and related policies.

Code of Conduct OF THE UNITED STATES p <> As American citizens, accept us, many aspects of our political system. We are accustomed to living in a country with a Bill of Rights, two major political parties, voting secret to an elected president, state and local governments to separate the national government, and so on. But of course, every company to govern its own way and make decisions has. Just as We expect Democratic and Republican candidates to compete for public office, the residents of the Soviet Union, the rule of the Communist Party are used to. In this section we examine a number of important aspects of political behavior in the United States.

Political Socialization

Five-functional requirements that a company must meet in order to survive have been identified. Among these was the need to teach the recruits to take the values and customs of the group in a political sense, is crucial ;.??? this feature ? should each successive generation will be encouraged to accept a socialist’s political values and its particular methods of decision making.

political socialization is the process of purchase by individuals and political attitudes develop patterns of political behavior. This means not only learning the current beliefs of a society, but also come to the political system, despite its environment to accept limitations and problems. In the U.S., people are socialized to representative democracy as the best form of government and appreciate values such as freedom, equality patriotism view and the right to dissent.

Schools can have an influence on political socialization, as they provide young people with information and analysis as opposed to the political family and peer groups, schools readily susceptible to centralized control and uniform. use why totalitarian societies often educational institutions for the purpose of indoctrination. But even in democracies, where local schools are not under the pervasive control of the national government, political education in general, reflects the norms and values of the current political order.

According to the conflict theorists, American students learn much more than factual information on our path of political and economic life. They are socialized to see capitalism and representative democracy as a “normal” and desirable ways to organize a people. At the same time, competing values and forms of government are often portrayed negatively or ignored. From the perspective of the conflict, is this kind of education policy, the interests of the powerful and ignores the importance of the divisions