Chapter 4--P. 68-76 - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

Chapter 4--P. 68-76

Civil Society, Interest Group Systems, and the MediaSlide2

Part 1: What is Civil Society?

The student will be able to identify the three/four factors that establish civil society.Slide3

A Civil Society Is…

A society in which people are involved in social and political interactions free of state control or regulation

Access to free communication and information

Global civil society associated with interconnectednessSlide4

Ia. Social

and

Political Interactions

These interactions include:

Community groups, voluntary associations, religious groups

Ability to directly participate in the governmentCan happen in person or online etc.These interactions teach us:

Political Skills and Cooperative RelationsThe political process is as important as the results.Slide5

Ib. Free of

State Control

or

Regulation

Limited regulations of association, assembly, petition.

Groups outside of organized government institutions:Like legislative bodies

Political partiesGroups are not coerced into articulation or non-articulation of beliefs.This can help individuals better articulate their political ideals and can be more clear or precise than an election.Slide6

II. Access

to free communication and

information

Must be able to consume ideas from the “mass media”

Newsprint

Television, etc.Access to the internetConnectedness to the global civil society

Interdependence drives articulation because your audience goes beyond your own bordersIs it really empowering?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uk8x3V-sUgU&feature=results_main&playnext=1&list=PLE0CDA262ADBA78D0Slide7

III. Global

Civil Society Associated

with I

nterconnectedness

This is discussed above with the internet idea

We are focusing on the transition to a “global community” where we focus on interest articulation not only within our own borders, but abroad as well.US Consumers on Chinese Labor Violations

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oKZFFCAHCISlide8

Section II: Interest Group Systems

The student will compare and contrast pluralist systems, neo-corporatist systems, and controlled systems.Slide9

Interest Group Systems

Relationship between interest groups and government policymaking institutions is important feature of political process

Three major groupings:

Pluralist

Democratic Corporatist

ControlledSlide10

Pluralist Interest Group Systems

Multiple groups represent single

interest

Labor, business, professional interests

Sub labor groups, sub professional organizations etc.

Group membership is voluntary,

limited

Often due to competition

Often have loose or decentralized organizational structure

Clear separation between interest groups and the governmentSlide11

The Best Example of Pluralism: US

Think of our discussions of interest groups in the US from last semester.

Multiple Groups

Conflicting Interests

Separate from Policy Making sphere, but can influence the

Outcomes

This model is often seen as the most “democratic”Slide12

Democratic Neo-Corporatist Interest Group Systems

Single peak association represents each

interest

i.e. an industrial group, one major business group

Membership is often compulsory and universal

Centrally organized and directs actions of

members

Unlike in a pluralist system where unions are combative with each other

Groups are systematically involved in making, implementing

policy

They take part in negotiations, they are at the table while legislation happen

Germany is an excellent model of this system.

Formal Memberships on government commissions, access to policymaking entitiesSlide13

Mexico: A Great Example!

Groups are tied to the political parties

Thus, interests are more represented when their party is in power

However, Mexico is in transition

If they transition to a more democratic system, then their groups might separate themselves from their parties so they can be influential regardless of who is in powerSlide14

Successes with this model

Better negotiations between government and industry.

Better at implementing environmental policy.

Better at sustaining employment.

Why do we believe these claims are true or false?Slide15

Controlled Interest Group Systems

Single group for each social sector

Membership is often compulsory

Each group is hierarchically organized

Groups are controlled by government to mobilize support for government policySlide16

The Best Explanation

Control.

These unions are created and compulsory so the government can force acceptance to policy.

Best Examples

Former communist nations

I.E. 90% of Chinese citizens are in a unionUnions are subordinated to the partyInterest articulation is only for the leaders of the groups. (Which tend to be higher-ups in the party anyway)Slide17

China: A Case Study

http

://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIVqEvsbgigSlide18

Before we move on

Look at your groups or lack of groups you found in your research during your reading, meet with your country partners.

Which system does your country fall into?

If I categorized your country, why is my description accurate or inaccurate?

Does your country meet the qualifications of being a “civil society?”Slide19

Section 3: Access to the Influential

The student will identify which channels of political access are the most successful in influencing public policy.Slide20

Access to the Influential

Interest groups must reach key policymakers through

channels of political access

Legitimate, constitutional channels of access

Illegitimate, coercive channels of access

Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.Slide21

Legitimate Access Channels

Personal Connections: effective means of shaping attitudes and conveying messages

Mass Media: mobilize support

Political Parties: represent

interests

Legislatures: lobby target

Government Bureaucracies:

policymaking authoritySlide22

Coercive Access Channels and Tactics

Feelings of relative deprivation motivate people to act aggressively

Frustration, discontent, anger yields greater probability of collective violence

Riots (spontaneous)

Strikes/Obstructions (coordinated)

Political Terror Tactics (assassination, armed attacks, mass bloodshed)

More likely to have negative consequencesSlide23

The Politics of Terror

Is terrorism a political act, or do we just politicize acts of terrorism?

http://

www.youtube.com/watch?v=az7yl-UnsQQ

Do two things as you watch this video:

Be able to answer the above question.

Can you identify any other coercive political acts that are covered in the clip?Slide24

Groups and Channels

To understand policy formulation, need to know which groups articulate interests, their policy preferences, channels of influence usedSlide25

Section 4: Interest Group Development

The student will identify the factors that allow interest groups to develop in nations.

The student will identify conditions for the progression of interest groups in their country.Slide26

Interest Group Development

Diversity of interest groups is a consequence of modernization

Successful democratic development leads to emergence of complex interest group systems

Not an automatic process - many problems involved:

Level of trust shared among members of society

Authoritarian parties/bureaucracies may suppress autonomous interest groups

Bias within interest group system

Levels of participation in associational groups declining

Change in how citizens organize, express interests