Politics (textbook) - Politics and the state Flashcards
What is the political importance of the state; how do we define the state; what is the key feature of the state; how has the states involvement changed over the years?
The state has been the dominant form of political organisation for the last 500-600 years. The state is very difficult to define - this being due to its complexity. An attempt at this is’a monopoly of the legitimate use of physical force in enforcing its order within a given territorial area.’ Using this definition we can see that the most important feature of the state is arguably the concept of sovereignty - the sovereign state is thus the highest form of authority within its territory and no external challenge to this. Over the years the states involvement in the concerns of its people have increased its importance, such with the welfare state in the post-1945 period.
What is de jure sovereignty and what is de facto sovereignty?
De jure sovereignty is the legal right to rule supremely and de facto sovereignty refers to the actual distribution of political power.
How is an empirical classification of the state usually organised?
It is organised according to how much it intervenes in society.
Describe a night-watchman state?
This is a state which concerns itself with the internal and external security of the state. Apart from this it plays a minimal role in the state, not involving itself in civil society or the market. This was a central characteristic of liberal democracy in the nineteenth-century.
Describe a developmental state?
This is a state where there is a strong correlation between state and private institutions to secure rapid economic development. This has been prominent in East Asia. This is a supposed illiberal democracy.
Describe a social democratic state?
This is a state that aims to promote greater social and economic development. A criticism of Britain in post-1945 was the fact that the state was too socially democratic and not developmental enough. To support this argument you can argue that economic growth is the foremost driver in reducing inequality.
Differentiate between states between their relationship to democracy or popular control?
Liberal democracies - Free and fair elections with liberal political framework containing high degrees of personal liberty and the protection of individual rights.
Illiberal democracies - there are elections but little protection of rights and liberties and state control over the means of communication. This leads to disadvantaged opposing parties and political leaders leading to a rare transfer of power.
Authoritarian regime - Absence of fair elections and accountability of political rulers. This can range in type, a totalitarian regime being the the most oppressive and brutal type of authoritarian state.
Describe classical Pluralism as a theory of the state?
In pluralism society is seen as being composed of many different thousands of activities which lead to the creation of many different groups. Competing groups are also a natural feature of society, and this can only be stopped through suppression.
The role of the state can then be defined in terms of the activity of these groups. Political pluralism is then the states role to regulate and mediate between these groups. For some pluralists the state is an arbiter and for some it is seen as a competing group.
Output of government is a result of group pressure and what they do will be a mirror image of the balance of power in society. They also state that all groups have are able to make their voices heard and all groups and interests are equal. Power is thus diffused and all groups will be a able to influence public policy.
Successful political parties are thus those that are able to forge a majority coalition of minority groups.
What is the basis of the idea that power is fragmented in a classical pluralist society?
The bases upon which power rests are variable - power rests in many places.
Groups are not usually influential in different issue areas.
Influential groups have a countervailing influence. Business groups vs trade unions.
Describe elite pluralism?
This is where it is argued that power in American society is dominated by an elite few. The existence of political elites that disproportionately play a role in society. It is still considered pluralism because of the existence of power among competing groups.
Describe corporatism?
This is a top-down model in which the state incorporates economic interests in order to control them and civil society in general.
Describe modern corporatism?
This reflects a genuine attempt by government to incorporate economic interests in the decision-making process. This shares the belief with pluralism that groups are a crucial part of the political system.
Describe the difference between pluralism and corporatism?
Corporatism denies the competition between groups as widespread, equitable and fragmented. It instead points to power being in the hands of the economic elites and that government outputs are a product of a tripartite relationship between elites in government , businesses and trade unions. This is done in order for support of the members of government.
Describe elitism?
Where all society is ruled by a single, unified self-conscious elite. This was in response to Marx’s theory of an egalitarian society. Elitists think that a ruling elite was an inevitable feature of all societies. Elites are created as they can muster resources, their psychological characteristics or their position within society. This theory was later developed to be a critique of pluralism.
Describe Marxism?
Marxism believes that modern capitalist societies are dominated by a unified, self-interested ruling group. Democracy in such societies is a sham and the influence of the masses is minimal. In Marxism the ruling elite are specific in that they own the means of production and has economic power. Economic power and political power are intrinsically linked It also believes that a communist revolution will bring about a truly egalitarian society.
