AP Comparative Government Unit 1- Concepts Lesson 4: Citizens, Society, and the State (Cleavages, Civil Society, Media Roles, Political Participation)

Cleavages in Society Political cleavages are those national, ethnic, linguistic, and religious divisions that exist in a society. These differences often have profound impacts on politics.

Civil Society and Democratic Society Civil society is defined as organized life outside the state. They are not, necessarily political organizations but, rather, a “diverse fabric of organizations” created by people of similar interests. (O’Brien) TEXTBOOK DEFINITION: A society in which people are involved in social and political interactions free of state control or regulation. (69) Although groups in civil society are not political, they are an essential part of free societies because people can promote, defend, and articulate what is important to them.

Do you agree with the above statement? Civil society gives substance to politics and checks the power of the state. Some see civil society as a precursor to democracy. Many argue that civil life is diminishing because people are becoming more anonymous and detached in society. A global civil society is emerging where citizens have similar concerns as those of other nations and can join together to reinforce individual efforts. DISCUSSION: What is meant by the statement, “people are becoming more anonymous and detached in society”? Do you agree with the above statement? What are some of the factors that cause society to become more anonymous and detached?

PARTNER ASSIGNMENT#1: What are some examples of civil society groups? List at least 5 and discuss their importance to overall society. Try to include a global, national, state, and local groups in your discussion.

REVIEW: 3 Major Linkage Institutions?

Interest Group and Media Roles (Citizen expression in society) One way that citizens can express their ideas to the government is through interest groups. All modern societies have interest groups but there are different patterns established by them.

PLURALIST INTEREST GROUPS Multiple groups may represent a single societal interest. Group membership is voluntary and limited. Groups often have a loose or decentralized organizational structure. There is clear separation between interest groups and the government.

DEMOCRATIC CORPORATIST INTEREST GROUP SYSTEMS More organized in their representation of interests. They often, regularly work with the government and are stronger than pluralist interest groups. Membership in the peak association is often compulsory and nearly universal. Peak associations are centrally organized and direct the actions of their members. Groups are often systematically involved in making and implementing public policy.

CONTROLLED INTEREST GROUP SYSTEMS Those where groups exist to facilitate government control of society. There is a single group for each social sector Membership is compulsory Each group is hierarchically organized Groups are controlled by the government or its agents to mobilize support for government policy. See Figure 4.1- Interest Group Systems of Labor Unions p. 70

Legitimate Channels of Political Access Each political system varies in the way they respond to political interests and interest groups vary in the tactics they use to gain access to policy makers.

Mass Media An important way to legitimately access political elites is through the mass media. It can mobilize support for interest group efforts, which lead to donations of time and money. It can also stimulate the sympathy of various supporters. When a message receives national attention, the message to policy makers carries added weight because they know millions of voters have been exposed to the issues. When control over mass media is loosened, democracy tends to receive a huge boost. EXAMPLE: Eastern European at the end of the Cold War

Political Parties Often interact closely with interest groups to help formulate policy, organize voters, and allow them to represent the interests of their constituents within the government. Other forms of access include: bureaucracies, protest demonstrations, strikes, and other forms of direct pressure on government. How a government system is set up determines whether or not a protest is legitimate or not.

Illegitimate Channels of Access Certain method of accessing governments are considered illegitimate. Their ways include using violence, obstruction, and manipulation. Political terror tactics have been used to articulate interests of some other societies. These groups use assassination, armed attacks on other groups or government officials, and provocation of bloodshed to express their opinions and are a source of legitimate concern for many democratic societies today. Terror tactics, if supported by larger terrorist groups, can destroy a democratic regime by leading it to take away civil rights or take military action instead of using other methods.

Political Participation Established democracies allow citizens to participate in a variety of ways, namely through voting. Authoritarian regimes do not often allow for these types of opportunities (Iran and China, for example).

Four Groups of Political Participation

Anomic Groups Anomic groups are groups formed spontaneously when many respond to an event similarly to the frustration, disappointment, or other strong emotion they feel towards an event or policy. They are “flash affairs” and are not planned.

Nonassociational Groups Differ from anomic groups because they are based on common interests and identities of ethnicity, region, religion, occupation, or other factors. These are hard to organize because many may see a problem but are not committed to the efforts. This is especially true when others may benefit who did not work for the cause. Another type of nonassociational group is a smaller one whose members know each other personally. They are, often, highly effective in expressing their political opinions because personal expression often has more legitimacy than impersonal expression.

Institutional Groups Formal groups and have other political and social functions besides expressing their interests. They, often, express the interests of other groups within society and their influence is, often, based on their size. Non-political institutions are often institutional groups by putting pressure on policy makers. Example: Roman Catholic Church

Associational Groups Formed specifically to represent the interests of a particular group. EXAMPLES: Trade unions, ethnic associations, and religious associations. Specifically, in the U.S., doctors and health insurance organizations lobby for health care reform. When effective, associational groups effect the development of the other three types of groups. They are considered legitimate in many advanced societies. See: EXAMPLE OF DIFFERENT GROUPS FORMED FROM WORKING CLASS INDIVIDUALS (see page 68)

Example #1 Anomic Group: spontaneous group of working class individuals living in the same neighborhood Nonassociational group: the working class group as a collective whole Institutional group: the labor department within the government Associational group: a labor union

Example #2 Anomic Group: conservative religious voters in Lynchburg, VA. Nonassociational group: conservative religious voters across the United States who share similar values Institutional group: Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, VA Associational group: The Moral Majority

PARTNER ASSIGNMENT#2: Create two charts about the four types of groups of political participation (just like the ones previously shown). First, choose a topic or group of individuals. Then, provide examples of how the various groups may evolve, beginning with anomic groups and ending with associational groups.