PoliticsPoliticsPowerPower & &

AuthorityAuthority

What is Politics?What is Politics?

What do you think of politics?What do you think of politics?

CLICKER: participation CLICKER: participation

Are you involved in politics?Are you involved in politics?

A: yesA: yes

B: noB: no

C:NO, NEVER !C:NO, NEVER !

D:Huh? What?D:Huh? What?

What is Politics?What is Politics?

““The Master Science” AristotleThe Master Science” Aristotle

““The process of peacefully The process of peacefully reconciling social and economic reconciling social and economic differences” Turner differences” Turner et alet al

““Persistent patterns of human relationships Persistent patterns of human relationships that involve a significant degree of control, that involve a significant degree of control, influence, power or authority.” Robert influence, power or authority.” Robert DahlDahl

What is Power?What is Power?Is it evil?Is it evil?

Is it dictatorial?Is it dictatorial?

Does it require force?Does it require force?A.A. Yes: power is always based Yes: power is always based

on forceon force

B.B. Power usually based on forcePower usually based on force

C.C. Power may or may not be Power may or may not be connected to forceconnected to force

D.D. Power definitely does not Power definitely does not need forceneed force

Clicker:

What is Power?What is Power?

An aspect of a relationship between 2 An aspect of a relationship between 2 social actors where one actor “A” can social actors where one actor “A” can induce or influence actor “B” to do induce or influence actor “B” to do something in line with A's preferences something in line with A's preferences when B would not do that otherwise.when B would not do that otherwise.

Adapted from Robert DahlAdapted from Robert Dahl

Sources of PowerSources of Power

David Easton:David Easton:ForceForce

Physical Violence or the credible threat thereof Physical Violence or the credible threat thereof (including incarceration)(including incarceration)

Not just angry or harsh wordsNot just angry or harsh words

RewardsRewards Payment for good behaviorPayment for good behavior Withholding benefits for bad behaviorWithholding benefits for bad behavior

Legitimacy (authority)Legitimacy (authority) Established moral right to ruleEstablished moral right to rule Moral obligation for followers to obeyMoral obligation for followers to obey

Sources of PowerSources of PowerForceForce

Physical Violence or the Physical Violence or the credible threat thereofcredible threat thereof

Not just angry or harsh wordsNot just angry or harsh words

Consequences of Force?Consequences of Force? Quick complianceQuick compliance Resentment and hostilityResentment and hostility Requires monitoring – CostlyRequires monitoring – Costly Generates revolt and Generates revolt and

sabotagesabotage Unstable by itselfUnstable by itself

Sources of PowerSources of Power

RewardsRewards Payment for good behaviorPayment for good behavior Withholding benefits for bad behaviorWithholding benefits for bad behavior

ConsequencesConsequences Compliance without hostilityCompliance without hostility Costly, requires constant payoffsCostly, requires constant payoffs Requires monitoringRequires monitoring Reward “inflation”Reward “inflation” BankruptcyBankruptcy

Sources of PowerSources of PowerLegitimacy (authority)Legitimacy (authority)

Established moral right to ruleEstablished moral right to rule Moral obligation for followers toMoral obligation for followers to

obeyobey

ConsequencesConsequences Obedience without monitorsObedience without monitors Loyalty and respectLoyalty and respect Low cost to rulerLow cost to ruler Efficient and stableEfficient and stable

Sources of PowerSources of Power

LegitimacyLegitimacy (authority)(authority)

Consequences ContinuedConsequences Continued

Abuse of powerAbuse of power

Followers become victimsFollowers become victims

CorruptionCorruption

All these can undermine legitimacy in timeAll these can undermine legitimacy in time

Sources of PowerSources of Power

REAL political groups use some combination REAL political groups use some combination of Force, Rewards, and Legitimacyof Force, Rewards, and Legitimacy

Stable systems must have some element of Stable systems must have some element of Legitimacy/AuthorityLegitimacy/Authority

Legitimacy/Authority, while effective and Legitimacy/Authority, while effective and stable, must be constrained to avoid abusestable, must be constrained to avoid abuse

Authority Authority (Legitimacy)(Legitimacy)

Max WeberMax Weber 1864-1920 Germany1864-1920 Germany The Protestant Ethic and the The Protestant Ethic and the

Spirit of CapitalismSpirit of Capitalism Sociology of ReligionSociology of Religion EconomicsEconomics GovernmentGovernment

Weber on AuthorityWeber on Authority3 Types3 Types

Rational LegalRational Legal ModernModern Based on rules and processesBased on rules and processes BureaucracyBureaucracy

TraditionalTraditional Old EuropeOld Europe Inherited authorityInherited authority

CharismaticCharismatic Special, Personal, RevolutionarySpecial, Personal, Revolutionary Based on individual leader’s special characteristicsBased on individual leader’s special characteristics

Rational Legal AuthorityRational Legal Authority

Authority established through a processAuthority established through a process ““Procedural Authority”Procedural Authority” ElectionsElections Government Hiring ProcessesGovernment Hiring Processes Rules for decisions: Rules for decisions:

Rules for a trialRules for a trial Rules and procedures to earn a degreeRules and procedures to earn a degree Rules for law-making in CongressRules for law-making in Congress Rules for getting a marriage license, etc.Rules for getting a marriage license, etc.

Rational Legal Rational Legal AuthorityAuthority

Authority is boundedAuthority is bounded Limited to a particular contextLimited to a particular context

Relationships are specific and Relationships are specific and boundedbounded Limited to a contextLimited to a context Limited to a timeLimited to a time Limited within specific range of actionLimited within specific range of action

Rational Legal AuthorityRational Legal Authority

Strengths:Strengths: PredictablePredictable OrderlyOrderly TransparentTransparent All are equalAll are equal Relatively little chance for abuseRelatively little chance for abuse Protects subordinates’ rightsProtects subordinates’ rights

Rational Legal Rational Legal AuthorityAuthority

Problems:Problems: SlowSlow Rigid and inflexibleRigid and inflexible ImpersonalImpersonal Processes may overwhelm goalsProcesses may overwhelm goals

Stupid outcomes may resultStupid outcomes may resultQuick obvious solutions blockedQuick obvious solutions blocked

Rational Legal AuthorityRational Legal Authority Typical of modern, democratic Typical of modern, democratic

governmentsgovernments

Focuses on procedures more Focuses on procedures more than outcomesthan outcomes

Emphasizes equalityEmphasizes equality

Both protects and frustrates Both protects and frustrates most citizensmost citizens

Traditional Traditional AuthorityAuthority Authority is inherited or simply Authority is inherited or simply isis Leaders are leaders because they are:Leaders are leaders because they are:

Divine right of KingsDivine right of Kings Village eldersVillage elders Inherited priesthood lineage (Old Inherited priesthood lineage (Old

Testament)Testament) Usually has patterns of inheritanceUsually has patterns of inheritance Stable transitionsStable transitions

Traditional Traditional AuthorityAuthority Authority is diffuse and unboundedAuthority is diffuse and unbounded

No particular limits firmly establishedNo particular limits firmly established No time frame limitationsNo time frame limitations

Relationships are whole-personRelationships are whole-person Leader not limited to particular aspects of lifeLeader not limited to particular aspects of life Leader may tread on “private” mattersLeader may tread on “private” matters

Relationships are reciprocal but asymmetricalRelationships are reciprocal but asymmetrical Mutual obligations of benevolence and loyaltyMutual obligations of benevolence and loyalty

Traditional AuthorityTraditional Authority

Potential Strengths:Potential Strengths: Stable and orderlyStable and orderly Flexibility, not bound by excessive rulesFlexibility, not bound by excessive rules Generates strong positive associationsGenerates strong positive associations ““Right” doesn’t get blocked by process or rulesRight” doesn’t get blocked by process or rules

Traditional AuthorityTraditional Authority

Potential ProblemsPotential Problems ““Right” seen only from leader’s perspectiveRight” seen only from leader’s perspective FickleFickle No way to remove incompetent leadersNo way to remove incompetent leaders No room for exemplary talent to riseNo room for exemplary talent to rise Unlimited or unrestrained power leaves potential Unlimited or unrestrained power leaves potential

for abuse wide openfor abuse wide open Little room for the “individual”Little room for the “individual”

Charismatic AuthorityCharismatic Authority

CharismaCharisma vs charisma vs charisma

Personal characteristics of leaderPersonal characteristics of leader Super-humanSuper-human Uniquely able to resolve grand problemsUniquely able to resolve grand problems The Charismatic leader The Charismatic leader ISIS the solution the solution

Special relation to deity? SometimesSpecial relation to deity? Sometimes

Charismatic AuthorityCharismatic Authority

Followers believeFollowers believe leader to be infallible leader to be infallible Leader can command ANYTHINGLeader can command ANYTHING

Violate traditional values? OKViolate traditional values? OK Change everything, even beliefs? OKChange everything, even beliefs? OK Do things I used to consider evil? OKDo things I used to consider evil? OK

This is MORE than just a strong, dynamic This is MORE than just a strong, dynamic leader.leader.

Weber’s CHARISMA•Leader is super human•Leader IS the answer to major problems•Leader demands MAJOR change and gets it

newspaper charisma

Charismatic LeadersCharismatic Leaders Only recognizable if:Only recognizable if:

Demand dramatic, life-altering changesDemand dramatic, life-altering changes Require followers to change dramaticallyRequire followers to change dramatically

Even doing things they previously Even doing things they previously believed to be morally wrongbelieved to be morally wrong

Followers accept and follow those demandsFollowers accept and follow those demands

Some leaders may have this ability, but if Some leaders may have this ability, but if they don’t test it, we don’t knowthey don’t test it, we don’t know

Real Examples:Real Examples:

Mao TzedongMao Tzedong Jim JonesJim Jones MosesMoses ChristChrist Joseph SmithJoseph Smith Adolph HitlerAdolph Hitler

Newspaper charisma but Newspaper charisma but NOTNOT Weber’s CHARISMA Weber’s CHARISMA

John F KennedyJohn F Kennedy Mother TeresaMother Teresa Barack ObamaBarack Obama Oprah WinfreyOprah Winfrey Ronald ReaganRonald Reagan

How does it happen?How does it happen? Major crisis – either personal or societalMajor crisis – either personal or societal

Charismatic proposes DIAGNOSISCharismatic proposes DIAGNOSIS Diagnosis ‘rings true’ to potential followersDiagnosis ‘rings true’ to potential followers

Charismatic presents SOLUTIONCharismatic presents SOLUTION Solution relies on Charismatic’s abilitySolution relies on Charismatic’s ability Solution ‘will bring salvation,’ resolve problemsSolution ‘will bring salvation,’ resolve problems Solution requires total obedience and major changeSolution requires total obedience and major change

Troubled people choose to follow – all the wayTroubled people choose to follow – all the way

Charismatic AuthorityCharismatic Authority

Potential StrengthsPotential Strengths Rapid change is possibleRapid change is possible Old, corrupt systems can be Old, corrupt systems can be

overthrownoverthrown A new world is possibleA new world is possible May really solve major problemsMay really solve major problems

Charismatic AuthorityCharismatic Authority Potential problemsPotential problems

New world is worse than the oldNew world is worse than the old Leader is an idiot and everything crashesLeader is an idiot and everything crashes Grand Schemes are OK, but not detailsGrand Schemes are OK, but not details Leader abuses authority – followers victimizedLeader abuses authority – followers victimized Transitions of authority very diceyTransitions of authority very dicey

Leaders usually very jealous of subordinate Leaders usually very jealous of subordinate leadersleaders

Leaders resist routinizationLeaders resist routinization Collapse at leader’s demiseCollapse at leader’s demise

Weber’s 3 Authority Weber’s 3 Authority Types:Types:ReviewReview

Rational legalRational legal Modern, procedures, limits, common in Modern, procedures, limits, common in

democratic governmentdemocratic government

TraditionalTraditional Old monarchy, family, sometimes religionOld monarchy, family, sometimes religion

CharismaticCharismatic Rare, Revolutionary, Leader is superhuman Rare, Revolutionary, Leader is superhuman

and unlimitedand unlimited

What is Government?What is Government?

Generic:Generic:The system of offices that oversee and guide The system of offices that oversee and guide

the interactions of individuals in a political the interactions of individuals in a political systemsystem

TheThe Government of a Country: Government of a Country:A government that successfully upholds a A government that successfully upholds a

claim to exercise the exclusive regulation of claim to exercise the exclusive regulation of the legitimate use of force in enforcing its the legitimate use of force in enforcing its rules within a territorial arearules within a territorial area

Why GovernmentWhy Government

Thomas HobbesThomas HobbesHuman life in the state of nature is “nasty, Human life in the state of nature is “nasty,

brutish and short.”brutish and short.”

Create OrderCreate Order Protect lifeProtect life Defend property rightsDefend property rights Enforce contractsEnforce contracts

The problem…The problem…

How does a nation create a government How does a nation create a government with enough authority and power to keep with enough authority and power to keep order, protect property, and preserve life order, protect property, and preserve life and at the same time prevent that and at the same time prevent that government’s officials from using their government’s officials from using their power to enrich themselves and power to enrich themselves and persecute their rivals?persecute their rivals?

Human nature and powerHuman nature and power

Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely…absolutely…

““We have learned by sad experience that it is We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion.” D&C 121:39exercise unrighteous dominion.” D&C 121:39

American SolutionAmerican Solution

Divide powerDivide power 3 branches3 branches Federal and StatesFederal and States

Check power with powerCheck power with power Create a balance where each, by seeking his own Create a balance where each, by seeking his own

power checks the power of otherspower checks the power of others Establish core rights and limits in the Establish core rights and limits in the

ConstitutionConstitution Entrust enforcement of those limits to the self Entrust enforcement of those limits to the self

interest of balancing powersinterest of balancing powers