1. POLI 101: Introduction to Political Science
Summer 2016
Professor R. Allen Bolar

2. We are our History
“History does not refer merely, or even principally, to the past. On the contrary, the great force of history comes from the fact that we carry it within us, are unconsciously controlled by it in many ways, and history is literally present in all that we do”
-James Baldwin

3. You (and I) are weird
We get lots of education---lots. I mean lots. (not to mention we can read!)
We spend a small portion of our income on food, which comes from all over the world.
We have credit cards
We have culture available, nonstop, for free
We are some of the richest people in the history of mankind.
(I agree that it doesn’t always feel like it)
None of these opportunities were ones that we created alone. They depended on the history and communal effort of previous generations in particular places.

4. Markets and States No Man is an Island Two ways we coordinate:
We live together
We depend on each other
How shall we coordinate our efforts?
Two ways we coordinate:
Markets
States
A gigantic amount of your life is determined by these two entities.

5. Markets and States
Markets determine who gets what in a condition of scarcity.
States are organized political units living under a government.
As humans we must decide:
Who deserves what?
What rules shall we live under?
To answer these questions together is politics.

6. Political Animals Aristotle said that humans are zoon politikon.
We are political animals
Politics is the defining trait of humanity.
We reason
We discuss
We plan

7. POLI 101
“Politics” – Politics consists of making a common decision for a group of people through the use of power
Politics involves both power and choice.
As Political Scientists we must understand what power is and obstacles to choice.

8. Choice But it is not so simple to make choices
Collective Action Problems
Prisoner’s Dilemma
Common Pool Resources
Concentrated benefits and diffuse costs
Accountability
Institutions are designed to facilitate optimal choices and accountability.

9. What is Power?
Can we find examples?

10. Examples of Power?

11. Examples of Power?

12. Examples of Power? Sheldon Adelson
Billionaire casino owner; friend of Newt Gingrich
Gave Mr. Gingrich $5 million for his campaign
Legal since after supreme court case, Citizens v. United (2010)

13. Examples of Power?

14. Examples of Power?

15. Examples of Power?
UC Davis Police Officer pepper spraying students on November 18, 2011

16. Examples of Power?

17. Examples of Power?
Social expectations / gender roles

18. Examples of Power?

19. Examples of Power?
Kim Kardashian
Celebrity?
Power?

20. What is Power?

21. What is Power? P = W/t Power is strength Power is influence
Power is the ability to work one’s will in the world. (All true, but I think this one is the best for our purposes)

22. What is Power?
Types of power:

23. What is Power?
Types of power:
Violent force & physical coercion

24. What is Power? Types of power: Violent force & physical coercion
Economic influence

25. What is Power? Types of power: Violent force & physical coercion
Economic influence
Legal

26. What is Power? Types of power: Violent force & physical coercion
Economic influence
Legal
Cultural & Ideological

27. What is Power? Would you stop if a police car put their sirens on?
Why?
Do you believe that you should?

28. What is Power? Would you stop if a police car put their sirens on?
Why?
Do you believe that you should?
What if your professor told you to pull over or you will get a bad grade?

29. What is Power? Power vs. Authority:
Power and authority are not the same, they are separable concepts

30. What is Power? Power vs. Authority:
Power and authority are not the same, they are separable concepts
Authority is the legitimate use of power.

31. What is Power?
3 types of Authority:
Traditional

32. What is Power?
3 types of Authority:
Traditional
Rational/legal

33. What is Power? 3 types of Authority: Traditional Rational/legal
Charismatic

34. Problems of Power and Authority in America
Power without legitimacy is tyranny.

35. Problems of Power and Authority in America
Power without legitimacy is tyranny.
How is legitimacy created?

36. Legitimacy? How is legitimacy created and bestowed?
How is authority created?

37. Legitimacy? How is legitimacy created and bestowed?
How is authority created?

38. Liberalism
The dominant mode of political and economic organization in the world today is liberal democracy.
Individual rights
Liberty
Equality
Universalism
But this is not the only mode.
And life has not always been like this.

39. Before Liberalism The three estates:
Knights
Priests
Peasants
Roles were defined by birth and status and legitimated by the Church, tradition, and custom.
An organic hierarchy existed: in other words, natural and not made by man.

40. The Three Estates

41. The Divine Right of Kings

42. Napoleon crowns himself

43. “Render unto Caesar...”

44. Martin Luther
Against the Murderous, Thieving Hordes of Peasants, (1525)

45. Henry V