POG 100 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Otto Von Bismarck, Mao Zedong, Behavioralism
20 Jun 2018
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Lecture 1 Thinking Politically
The art of political thinking
- “Politics is the art of preventing people from taking part in affairs which properly concern
them”- Paul Valery, French writer and philosopher
- “Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects”- Lesser B Pearson, Canadian PM
- “Politics is war without bloodshed while war is politics with bloodshed”- Mao Zedong,
Chairman of China
- “Politics is the art of the possible”- Otto Von Bismarck, Chancellor of Germany
Two polar views of politics
1. Politics as cooperation, or integration-
as the process of rule based on order and justice.
Politics is driven by the considerations of the common good.
More natural for the thinking of those who support the existing social order (status quo)
2. Politics as conflict- as struggle for power
Politics is driven by selfish interests of individuals, groups, businesses, states.
More natural for the thinking of those who would like to change the status quo in their
favour.
The least controversial working definition of politics
A human activity focused on:
1/ the formulation and execution of decisions, which are binding on members of a social whole
(family, community, society, the world)
- And
2/ the relations which are formed between individuals, groups, states in the process of
formulation and execution of those decisions.
People: how do their needs shape their politics?
- Abraham Maslow’s assumptions
- Human nature is basically good, not evil
- Normal human development involves the actualization of this inherent goodness
- But- man must work with others in order to attain this goal: that word is politics
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs- shapes politics
Need for self-actualization- sharing power, feeling “in control”
Esteem needs- recognition/response/respect
Love, affection and belongingness needs- patriotism, nationalism, fascism
Safety needs- safe at home and at work
Psychological or survival needs- basic needs to survive
Power: “the ability to achieve goals in a political system and to have others do as you wish them
to do”
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What kinds of questions do political scientists ask?
- Who has power?
- How do they maintain power/legitimacy? How is power legitimized or lost?
- Who benefits?
Question 1: What is it? Who has it?
Who has the ability to make or influence the making of, those binding decisions which shape
social and economic relations?
How is the struggle for power managed?
How fair, how equal, how effective is the distribution of power?
Is power infinite?
Who holds the balance of power?
How do you get power?
Types of power
Political power: control of, or influence on, the state, ability to make, or influence, political
decisions
Economic power: control of economic assets
Military power: ability to wage war- or to compel others through intimidation or deterrence
These forms of power interact in many ways. For example?
Forms of power
1. Force
2. Persuasion
3. Authority
4. Coercion
5. Manipulation
So, where does power come from, ultimately?
Power is produced by social cooperation. Ultimately, it is a collective product. People create
power by acting together.
This “product” is usually appropriated by the few and used at the expense of, or downright
against, the many. Question: How
Question 2: What is political legitimacy?
Traditional- based on tradition, established beliefs or values (example: rule of dynasties, power
of the church)
Legal-rational- based on formal arrangements (rules, laws, constitutions). The main type
practiced in contemporary politics.
Charismatic- based on the extraordinary personal qualities of a leader, or on the influence of an
idea or a cause.
Question: how do you measure it?
Question 3: (the killer question political science wants to answer) How do you get power?
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
Politics is the art of preventing people from taking part in affairs which properly concern them - paul valery, french writer and philosopher. Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects - lesser b pearson, canadian pm. Politics is war without bloodshed while war is politics with bloodshed - mao zedong, Politics is the art of the possible - otto von bismarck, chancellor of germany. Two polar views of politics: politics as cooperation, or integration- as the process of rule based on order and justice. Politics is driven by the considerations of the common good. More natural for the thinking of those who support the existing social order (status quo: politics as conflict- as struggle for power. Politics is driven by selfish interests of individuals, groups, businesses, states. More natural for the thinking of those who would like to change the status quo in their favour.
