POLS 110 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Totalitarianism
4 Oct 2015
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Document Summary
Power and authority: power is related to coercion and authority is related with consent. Authority: legitimate power where the ruler gains the acceptance of the ruled not from coercion but by persuading them to recognize the rulers" right to use power. Alternatives to using coercion: rule through ideological control. Ruler maintains control by manipulating the ruled so that they reflect the interests of the ruler. More effective than coercion as it eliminates the need for permanent surveillance. Authority is linked with right or what should be right: make the ruler legitimate in the eyes of the ruled. Main basis for authority in the modern world. Political institutions are accepted because they are focus on democratic principles. Traditional authority: based on traditional customs and values. i. e. the principle of the divine rights of kings, god gave the monarchs word to rule. Charismatic authority: based on the personal traits of an individual.
