Unit 3 Flashcards
What are civil society? Types of civil sociey groups?
Voluntary groups separated from the government.
- Local religious organizations
- Neighborhood organizations
- News media
- Business + Professional associations
- Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs)
What makes a strong civil society? (The factors that influence the strength of civil society)
- Regime type
- Governmental limits like registrations, restrict, and monitoring
What is the strength of civil society in the AP6?
China - weak
Iran - weak
Mexico - growing
Nigeria - weak
Russia - weak
UK - strong
What can civil society do?
- Be agents of democratization
- Monitor + lobby the government
- Expose governmental malfeasance
- Represent the interests of members
- Provide organizational experience to members
What are the implications of restricting civil societies?
Restricting NGOs and civil society tends to highlight violations of civil liberties protected in foundational documents.
What is political culture?
The collective attitudes, values, and beliefs on the role of government, rights of individuals, extent and role of citizens in controlling policy making. The norms of behavior in the political system and expectations set about the exercise of power.
What influences/impacts political culture?
- Geography
- Religious traditions
- History
How political culture is transimitted?
Through political socialization (views on society) agents like:
- family
- school
- media
- peers
- religious institutions
- social environments
Political socialization and what is similar across regimes and what is different?
In both regimes political socialization exist.
In authoritarian regimes the government plays a larger role in socialization, puts more concerted pressure o socializing citizens. (have a certain view on gov)
What is political ideology?
Set of values and beliefs about goals of government, public policy, or politics. Individual’s view on society.
Individualism
belief in individual civil liberties and freedom over governmental restrictions.
Neoliberalism
belief in limited governmental intervention in the economy and society, support for privatization, free trade, deregulation, and the elimination of state subsidies.
Communism
belief in the abolition of private property with near-total governmental control of the economy
Socialism
belief in the reduction of income disparities and the nationalization of major private industries.
Fascism
extreme nationalist ideology that favors authoritarian rule and the rights of the ethnic majority over that of ethnic minorities and the political opposition.
Populism
political philosophy that supports the interests and righs of the common people over that of the elites.
Rule by law
Law reinforces authority of the state
Rule of law
State is limited to the same rules as citizens.
The political values and beliefs across regimes
- beliefs about social and economic equality are held by citizens of both.
- the difference is the amount of governmental enforcement and choice for citizens.
Post-materialism
values of self-expression and quality of life. This leads to pressing government on issues like environmental protection or social and economic equality.
What is political participation?
Citizen involvemenr and influence in the political process. It is present in all political systems. It is either voluntary or coerced, supportive or againstm formal or informal.
Political participation in democracies
The basis of the regime and provides legitimacy and efficacy.
Forms of formal participation
- elections (voting, running, supporting)
- referenda
- personal contact
Forms of informal participation
- protests
- civil society
- political violence, terrorism
UK referenda
- devolution, passed
- alternative vote, failed
- scottish referendum, failed
- brexit, passed
Political participation in authoritarian regimes?
- more restricted and controlled
- more supportive and less oppositiona
- less voluntary and more coerced
Why do authoritarian regimes allow political participation?
- legitimacy
- safety valve
- feedback
- international pressure (NGOs or reputation)
Political participation in China
- local elections
- protests
- party membership
- mass organizations
- limited civil society
Political participation in both democratic and authoritarian regimes.
- Both allows political participation
- Both restrict it
because of legitimacy, safety valve, feedback - stablity and order
- security
- maintain power
Compared to democratic regimes, participation in authoritarian regimes is:
- more restrictive
- more limted
- more regulated
- less tolerated
What are civil rights?
Promote equality, granted by the government, available to all.
What are civil liberties?
Basic freedom from government interference.
In authoritarian regimes, the civil rights and liberties are:
- more restrictive
- more limited
- more regulated
- less tolerant
- less transparent
The media in democratic regimes
- allow a much igher degree of media freedom
- expect the media to be a check on the government - transparency
The media in authoritarian regimes
- tightly regulate the media
- allow fewer sources of independent media
- maintain state-run media and/or highly regulate the media
- use the media as a tool of political control and socialization
- increasingly control the internet and social media
Political/Social cleavages
internal divisions based on identity and values that impact the political system.
Exist everywhere but vary in intensity and type
Categories of social cleavages
- ethnicity
- religion
- region
- class
What are the consequences of social cleavages?
- influence political preferences, participation, and articulation
- impacy state sovereignty, stability, and legitimacy
- addressed and used in a variety of ways by the state.
Social cleavages in UK
National/regional/ethnic
- Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland.
Ethnic
- British vs. Non-british
Religious
- Catholics vs. Protestants
Class
Response to social cleavages in UK
National
- independence movements, devolution
Ethnic
- Brexit
Religious
- political violence
Class
- political party representation
Social cleavages in Mexico
Region
- North vs. South
Ethnic
- Amerindian vs. white and mestizo
Religious
- Catholic (ALL)
Social cleavages in Nigeria
Region
- North vs. South
Ethnic
- 250+ ethnic groups
Religious
- Christians vs. Muslims
What is similar of the social cleavages in Mexico and Nigeria?
- both are large and diverse
- groups have pushed for autonomy, if not independence
- regional north-south divisions exist and intensify wealth gaps,
- grievances have led to political violence
- both hae struggled to maintain sovereignty in the face of cleavages
- state responses have mostly been accomondating
What is different of the social cleavages in Mexico and Nigeria?
- Nigeria’s cleavages are more numerous, more intense, and more destabilizing
- Religion is a unifying force in Mexico and a divisive force in Nigeria
- Violence due to cleavages is more widespread in Nigeria
- Political legitimacy is more in question in Nigeria due to cleavages
Social cleavages in democratic regimes
- usually are most concerned about legitimacy and unity
- tend to address cleavages by devolving power, allowng more autonomy, and bringing groups into the political system
Social cleavages in authoritarian regimes
- tend to be most concerned about maintaining stability and control
- are often repressive and coercive in their tactics
- provide the illusion but not the reality of inclusivity
Social cleavages in Russia
Regional
- Urban vs. Rural
Ethnic
- Russians vs. Chechnyans
Religious
- Christians vs. Muslims
Social cleavages in China
National
- East vs. West
- Urban vs. Rural
Ethnic
- Hans vs. Uighurs/Tibetans
Religious
- Secular vs. Muslim
What is similar of the social cleavages in Russia and China?
- both countries are large, diverse and have ethnic and religious divisions
- groups have pushed for autonomy if not independence
- grievaces have led to political violence
- both have used repressive tatcic to manage cleavages
- both officially have autonomous regions but are not really self governing
- both have used cleavages to bolster nationalism and legitimacy
What is difference of the social cleavages in Russia and China?
- China officially recognizes and provides benefits to its minorities
- Russia officially maintains a federal system of government while China is unitary
What are challenges created by cleavages?
- strain the relationship between the state and citizens
- threaten the stability of the regime
- increase competition among parties and groups
- weaken legitimacy
- undermine internal sovereignty
- create the potential for violent conflict or war
- expose vulnerability
Increased competition among parties and groups
- National/ethnic cleavage
- Independence movement
State response: - devolution
- referenda
Weaken legitimacy and sovereignty
- Ethnic cleavage
- Zapatistas demand autonomy
State response: - limited confrontation
- negotiation
- incorporation into the system
Expose vulnerability
- Ethnic and religious cleavages
- Boko haram
State response: - negotiation
- Lack of capacity
- violence and coercion
Violence and repression
- Ethnic/religious cleavage
- Uighurs in Xinjiang
State response: - assimilation
- reeducation
- restriction on rights and liberties
- coercion
