Transcript Democracy: A Social Power Analysis

Lecture 4
Political power and democracy
Democracy: A Social Power
Analysis

Democracy and freedom are the
central values of modern society. But
they've come to mean so many
different things that they're almost
meaningless. We find them being
used to support the most antidemocratic policies…
…

As mere propaganda slogans, they're
utilized by individuals and pressure
groups to lend a halo of "Americanism" to
their own private conquest of an ever
larger share of the people's power.
Types of political systems: open
Closed political systems
A new social theory
The most important function of a new
social theory is to provide a rationale and
intellectual and moral sanction to what
people are already doing - or what they
want to do yet don't quite know how
because it is at variance with traditional
theories and institutions…
…
This social power analysis is intended to
serve that purpose for people who are
concerned about the concentration and
irresponsibility of power in our society.
 They will find it provides a framework of
ideas within which they can create
solutions consistent with democratic
institutions and ideals.

SOCIAL POWER

Social power is the basic, common
element in politics, economics, and all
other social relationships. It is possessed
by all individuals and social groups and
arises out of their connections to each
other. Robinson Crusoe, marooned on a
desert island, didn't have to deal with it
until he met Friday…
…
Social power has two aspects:
1)The ability to influence others
so as
to further our own interests or
desires.
2) The ability to resist the
activities of others.
Signs of totalitarianism
 The power belongs to the same
political force
 The state controls all spheres of
public life
 Citizens do not have any rights
 repression
Totalitarianism
Signs of authoritarianism
The power belongs to one person or
group of persons
 The government controls almost all
spheres of public life
 Citizens have only limited economic and
spiritual rights
 Police surveillance, repression

Authoritarianism
Signs of democracy
 Power belongs to the elected bodies,
the division into three branches,
political pluralism
 The state controls all spheres of
public life, allowed private ownership
 The constitutional protection of
citizens' rights
 Freedom of choice, speech, press,
assembly
Democracy
Political Ideology–

a set of ideas,
values​​, attitudes,
principles, based on
which society
develops, the state
Conservative ideology: family, religion,
culture
The liberal ideology: freedom, free from spiritual values​​,
individualism, private property
The nationalist ideology: the priority of the national
government, economy, culture
Nazi ideology: the priority of one nation, the
neglect of other nations
Komunisticheskaya ideology: internationalism,
kolektivizm, atheism
Anarchist ideology: the lack of power,
government community
Types of political power :
 Traditional
 Rational
 charismatic
Traditional Authority:
 Transmitted by tradition
 Hereditary power: from parents -
the children and grandchildren ...
As a rule, it is a monarchy
(principalities, kingdoms…)
Traditional Authority
The rational power :
 Head of state chosen for his
professionalism, his apparent
when the abilities and skills of
political and administrative
activity
An important factor in creating a rational
authority - EDUCATION
charismatic authority :
Ruler chosen for his charisma ("charisma" is
Greek for the extraordinary gift of the grace
of God, a special spiritual power of the
individual).
 People support the charismatic leaders for
their courage, innovative thinking, actions
consistent with the interests of the whole
society.
 Charismatic personality made ​the
revolution, reform, positive change in the life
of mankind

Charismatic leaders
Charismatic policy stories
The charismatic statesmen
Thanks for your attention! 