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Political Science: An Introduction Political Science: An Introduction

Political Science: An Introduction - PowerPoint Presentation

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Political Science: An Introduction - PPT Presentation

Fourteenth Edition Chapter 5 Regimes Roskin Cord Medeiros Jones Table 51 Main Regime Types Democratic US West Europe Transitional Egypt Russia Authoritarian Iran China ID: 643138

political democracy democratic theories democracy political theories democratic government elites pluralist authoritarian power totalitarian regimes people states state means

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Slide1

Political Science: An Introduction

Fourteenth Edition

Chapter 5

Regimes

Roskin

| Cord | Medeiros | JonesSlide2

Table 5.1

Main Regime Types

Democratic

U.S., West Europe

Transitional

Egypt, Russia

Authoritarian

Iran, China

Totalitarian

N. Korea, Cuba

media

free

curbed

obedient

state-controlled

parties

several

one dominant

none or one

one

elections

competitive

flawed

rigged

fake or none

power

alternates among parties

rigid one man

in hands of small group

concentrated in one leader

ideology

many

limited range

none or pretend

one militant

constitution

restrains government

selectively interpreted

restrains individuals

worships state

civil liberties

protected

vulnerable

few

noneSlide3

Table 5.1 (continued)

Main Regime Types

Democratic

U.S., West Europe

Transitional

Egypt, Russia

Authoritarian

Iran, China

Totalitarian

N. Korea, Cuba

interest groups

many and

autonomous

few and cowed

state-supervised

no autonomous

ones

economy

market

partly market

partly state-run

state-run

military

subordinate to

elected officials

plays a political role

intertwined with

regime

controlled by ruling party

corruption

minor

widespread

pervasive

majorSlide4

Representative Democracy (1 of 3)

5.1 Explain why representative democracy is the only feasible kind.

There are many different ways to understand the meaning of democracy.

Generally speaking, it means rule by the people.

Many think that democracy equals freedom, but they are not the same thing.

Some are “pretend” democracies with controlled media, rigged elections and obedient parliaments and parties.

Others flux between more or less democratic and are called

transitional regimesSlide5

Representative Democracy (2 of 3)

5.1 Explain why representative democracy is the only feasible kind.

Representative Democracy

– People do not rule directly but through elected and accountable representatives

Constitutional Democracy

– A democracy with a limited government that can wield its authority only in specific ways

illiberal

Democracies

– regimes that are elected but lack democratic qualities such as civil rights and limits on government - exist that regularly run roughshod over freedoms at the request of the people.Slide6

Characteristics of Democratic Regimes

Popular Accountability

requires that policy makers must obtain the support of citizens in addition to being accountable directly to citizens.Political Competition

means voters must have at least two distinct choices and those parties must have freedom & time to organize and campaignAlternation in Power

means power must change hands peacefully from time to time

Uncertain Electoral Outcomes

elections must have an element of suspense or non-predetermined resultSlide7

Characteristics of Democratic Regimes

Popular Representation

when representative legislators voice and protect the general interest of votersMandate – Representatives carrying out the specific wishes of the public

Trustee – Representatives deciding what the public needs without specific instructions from the voters

Majority Decision

means legislating for the masses not the few.

Absolute Majority – Half plus one of the number of votes cast

Simple Majority – Less than half the total # of votes but still enough to win

Super Majority – A number greater than an absolute majority (60%)Slide8

Characteristics of Democratic Regimes

Right of Dissent and Disobedience

a citizen or minorities right to resist commands of the government they deem wrongPolitical Equality

the ability for everyone to participate in politics or have equal political or social protectionPopular Consultation

means effective government/leaders must know what the people want and be responsive to those needs

Free Press

means mass media is free to criticize government and can often act as a check to political corruptionSlide9

Democracy in Practice: Elitism or Pluralism?

(1 of 6)

5.2 Contrast elitist and pluralist theories of democracy.

There will always be a struggle over power in society and political power can never be evenly distributed.For political scientists, the core question then is how much elites in society are accountable to the public and their interests.Slide10

Democracy in Practice: Elitism or Pluralism?

(2 of 6)

5.2 Contrast elitist and pluralist theories of democracy.

There are two general theories that follow:Elite theories of politicsThese theories maintain that there is very little accountability on the parts of elites to the general public.

Pluralist theories of politics

These theories maintain that elites are ultimately held accountable to the public through interest groups.Slide11

Democracy in Practice: Elitism or Pluralism?

(3 of 6)

5.2 Contrast elitist and pluralist theories of democracy.

Two key elite theoristsGaetano Mosca

Italian political scientist who argued that government always ends up in the hands of a few.

Robert

Michels

German sociologist developed the

iron law of oligarchy

Any organization who, no matter how democratic its intention, will end up being run by a few people.

Elite theorists are radicals NOT conservatives.Slide12

Democracy in Practice: Elitism or Pluralism?

(4 of 6)

5.2 Contrast elitist and pluralist theories of democracy.

Key pluralist theoristRobert DahlAmerican political scientist who argued that in any large society decisions are made by small groups, but those groups are

ultimately accountable.Slide13

Democracy in Practice: Elitism or Pluralism?

(5 of 6)

5.2 Contrast elitist and pluralist theories of democracy.

Arguments of elitistsMoney gives elites access to political power and those who wield it. This is enhanced by the connections held by the wealthy.

A great deal of influence from elites comes in the form of campaign contributions.

Politics is essentially a a single pyramid with the elites sitting at the top of it.Slide14

Democracy in Practice: Elitism or Pluralism?

(6 of 6)

5.2 Contrast elitist and pluralist theories of democracy.

Pluralists' argumentsPolitics functions through interest groups that compete with each other for access to government and bargain with each other.

This is what Dahl called

polyarchy

and

Lijphart

called

consociational

democracy.

Interest groups collide with each other like billiard balls in their attempts to influence policy and it is through their efforts that citizens are heard, because any citizen can form a group to try and influence politics.Slide15

Totalitarianism

5.3 List the features attributed to totalitarianism.

Totalitarian systems are systems of government in which the elites are completely unaccountable.

Very difficult to oust the elites.There are very few totalitarian systems left.

It is a relatively modern phenomenon and really starts with Lenin's seizure of power in Russia.Slide16

What Is Totalitarianism? (1 of 3)

Totalitarian states have several specific characteristics.

There is an all-encompassing ideologySingle PartyOrganized Terror

Monopoly of CommunicationsMonopoly of WeaponsState Controlled EconomySlide17

Authoritarianism (1 of 2)

5.4 Distinguish authoritarianism from totalitarianism.

Authoritarian states differ from totalitarian states in that they do not seek to control all aspects of society.

A small group runs the regime and minimizes popular input.

There are heavy limits on individual freedoms in exchange for order in society and control.

Dissent is stifled and resistance is generally exterminated through brute force and imprisonment.Slide18

Authoritarianism (2 of 2)

5.4 Distinguish authoritarianism from totalitarianism.

Some authoritarian states will have trappings of democracy, but they are only for show and really have no meaning.

According to Jeanne Kirkpatrick, the main difference between authoritarian states and totalitarian states is that an authoritarian state can reform, but once it slips into totalitarianism there is no way for the system to reform itself.Slide19

The Democratization of Authoritarian Regimes

5.5 Explain why new democracies often fail.

Economics plays a critical role in the democratic transition.

As economies improve, so do the prospects for democracy.Economic growth creates a middle class with a stake in the political system.

Rising education levels make the people less susceptible to demagogues and extremist ideas.

People are more aware of their interests and express them.

Modernization theory – Economic growth fosters a large middle class which demands democracy (Aristotle talked about this in Politics – best constitutions are controlled by a numerous

middle class)