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Nations & Society Comparative Politics
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How do people organize themselves into political communities?
Nations & Society Intro How do people organize themselves into political communities?
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What are they doing to manage collective identities?
States Mini Case Study India Indian National Congress lost 80% of its seats after dominating Indian politics since 1885/1947 Bharatiya Janata Party (Hindu nationalists) gained majorities in parliament running on Hindu identity Same year, split one of the largest states in two – creating Telangana out of part of Andhra Pradesh 1947 Andhra Pradesh was made out of Telangana and Andhra – to consolidate power of Telugu culture Poor areas in Telangana resented Andhra which monopolized economic & political power What are they doing to manage collective identities?
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Nations & Society Comparative Politics
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Nations & Society Society Society Groups Individuals
People bound by shared institutions People identify themselves both as individuals and as parts of groups. Groups Individuals Ethnicity Ideology Nationality Political attitude Citizenship
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Nations & Society Ethnicity Ethnicity
Set of specific attributes and societal institutions that makes one group of people culturally different from others Ascriptive, generally assigned at birth Likely passed down by generation Not inherently political
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Institutions that bind people together
Nations & Society Ethnicity Ethnicity Institutions that bind people together language religion Geographic location Appearance History
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Nations & Society Ethnicity Examples
Bosnia – Serbs, Croats, & Muslims all speak same language, identify themselves by religion Rwanda – Hutus & Tutsis – aren’t distinguished by normal factors. Outsiders can’t tell them apart. Middle East – Kurds – shared culture, speak Kurdish, mostly Sunni Muslim – have no state Canada – French Canadians (Quebec) culture different from dominant Canadian culture
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Nations & Society Nationality Nation National Identity
A group that desires self government through an independent state National Identity An institution that ties people together through their common political aspirations They want self government and sovereignty Tends to develop from ethnic identity Most often, we will see one groups aspiration towards greater freedom from a dominant group
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Nations & Society Nationality National Identity
Sense of belonging to a nation and a belief in its political aspirations Often but not always derived from ethnic identity Inherently political The basis for nationalism,
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Nations & Society Nationalism Nationalism America
Pride in one’s people and the belief in their own sovereign political destiny that is separate from those of others Ethnic identity often leads to political identity built on nationalism America No single ethnic group – but has a shared culture: Rituals, symbols, anthems, values Nationality – even nationalism – can develop independent of ethnicity
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The basis for patriotism
Nations & Society Citizenship An individual’s relation to the state, the individual swears an allegiance to the states and the state in turn provides certain benefits or rights Citizenship Purely political and thus more easily challenged than ethnic identity or national identity The basis for patriotism
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Nations & Society Citizenship Citizenship
Citizens are defined by their relationship to the state, not to each other. Citizenship is more flexible than ethnic identity or even national identity Being a citizen is likely to include benefits of some kind, like voting rights or education.
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Pride in one’s state or political system
Nations & Society Patriotism Patriotism Pride in one’s state or political system Includes a desire to defend and promote one’s state or political system States that are weak or lack legitimacy have difficulty instilling patriotism in their citizens.
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Cleavages Comparative Politics
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Nations and Society Cleavages Cleavages Basic types
Factors that separate groups within a society In some cases, the division of voters in to voting blocs Basic types “Center vs periphery” – regional, urban vs rural “State vs church” – between religious & secular voters “Owner vs worker” – social class , rich vs poor,
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Most common cleavages we’ll look for..
Nations and Society Cleavages Most common cleavages we’ll look for.. Social class Ethnic Religious Regional
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Ethnic cleavages separate groups within society
Nations and Society Cleavages Nigeria Ethnic cleavages separate groups within society
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Nations and Society Cleavages Nigeria Language Groups
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Religious factors separate groups within a society
Nations and Society Cleavages Nigeria Religious factors separate groups within a society
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Nations and Society Cleavages
How are cleavages expressed in the political system? Is political party membership based on cleavages? Do political elites usually come from one group or another? How are cleavages expressed in the political system? Does the lower class vote for one political party or another? Are women’s beliefs and behaviors different from those of men? Are younger people as likely to vote as older people are? Do people in rural areas participate in government? Political Elites: those who hold political power Do these cleavages block some groups from fully participating in government?
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Nations and Society Cleavages Coinciding Cleavages
Cross Cutting Cleavages Identity divisions that coincide with one another for large numbers of individuals Divide society into many potential groups that may conflict on one issue but cooperate on another More likely to be explosive Tend to keep conflict to more moderate levels Coinciding: When every dispute aligns the same groups against each other
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Ethnic, National & Citizenship: Origins and Persistence
Comparative Politics
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Nations and Society Origins Ethnicity Develops in Europe
First communities calling others “barbarians” – defining OTHERS as different from them As modern states focus on commerce, languages begin to merge. People begin to identify themselves by the institutions they share People begin to identify each other on the basis of shared cultural institutions. Ethnic identity develops along with state development. State leaders see this as useful Eventually nationalism is used as a powerful tool to raise large armies and increase taxation
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European imperial powers spread these ideas across the globe
Nations and Society Origins Nation State A sovereign state that encompasses one dominant nation that it claims to represent. After first nation states emerge, other people begin to demand nation states of their own. The multi-ethnic empires in Europe break apart and are replaced by nation states European imperial powers spread these ideas across the globe
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Nations and Society Conflict Ethnic Conflict National Conflict
Conflict between ethnic groups that struggle to achieve certain political or economic goals at each other’s expense Each group wants to increase their power by gaining control over existing political institutions National Conflict Conflict between groups that seek to gain sovereignty (or prevent a group from gaining it) in a quest to form an independent state
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Nations and Society Conflict
Why do ethnic or national conflicts occur? Societal Explanation Economic Explanation Political Explanation There are too many ethnic groups and they are polarized – or some aren’t as fully integrated as others There is a struggle for resources among the groups – or poverty may be more heavily concentrated in one group The state may lack capacity in ways that impact some groups – or state may lack autonomy without the support of a dominant group
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Nations and Society Conflict Why does it occur?
You know this from history – what about this map indicates sources of ethnic conflict?
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Nations and Society Conflict Why?
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Political Attitudes & Ideology
Introduction
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Nations and Society Attitudes Political Attitudes
Views about the necessary pace and scope of change – usually about the balance between freedom and equality Are concerned with the speed of change and the methods of change Generally described as: Radical, liberal, conservative, reactionary Particularistic: relative to the specific context of a country (radical in 1 state may be conservative in another)
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Want revolutionary change in the existing order
Nations and Society Attitudes Radical “extreme left” Want revolutionary change in the existing order Politics can only improve when the whole structure is fundamentally changed Usually by peaceful means, but some radicals may favor violence as a means of change
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Nations and Society Attitudes Liberal “left”
Want evolutionary change in the existing order Progressive changes can happen within the existing system Existing institutions can be the instruments of change Change over long periods of time is acceptable
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Nations and Society Attitudes Conservative “right”
Don’t think any significant change is necessary Existing institutions are the key to maintaining order and continuity Don’t think the problems liberals see are problems, or that it’s possible to solve them
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Nations and Society Attitudes Reactionary “extreme right”
Current order is fundamentally unacceptable Want to restore older political, economic, or social institutions Want to change back to a previous regime they believe was superior Want a return to a past ideal that may not have existed Willing to resort to violence to achieve their goals
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Nations and Society Attitudes
The circle is more accurate than the linear spectrum since radicals and reactionaries have multiple similarities
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Nations and Society Ideology Political Ideology
Sets of political values regarding the fundamental goals of politics Political Ideology Exemplified by 5 dominant modern ideologies: liberalism, communism, social democracy, fascism, and anarchism Universalistic – no specific to one country or time Distinct from political attitudes
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Puts priority on individual freedom, political and economic
Nations and Society Ideology Liberalism Puts priority on individual freedom, political and economic People believe that politics should seek to create the maximum about of liberty Goals will require a state with a low degree of autonomy and capacity so that it’s easily controlled by the public
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Nations and Society Ideology Liberal Democracy
A system of liberties supported by competition and participation Not all individuals will succeed and economic inequality will exist The high degree of freedom will produce the greatest amount of general prosperity Communists would call this bourgeois democracy – of the rich, by the rich, for the rich
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Nations and Society Ideology Communism
Rejects the idea that personal freedom will ensure prosperity for the majority The inevitable struggle over economic resources will result in a small group dominating the market and the state Advocates state control of economic resources to produce true economic equality for the community Requires state with high capacity & autonomy – one that can restrict individual rights
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Nations and Society Ideology Social Democracy Socialism
Accepts a strong role for private ownership but maintains an emphasis on economic equality Socialism Needs state with strong capacity & autonomy to ensure economic equality through policies May limit freedom more than liberalism through regulation & taxing, but recognizes the importance of liberties
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Nations and Society Ideology Fascism
Hostile to the ideas of both freedom and equality People can be grouped in terms of superiority and inferiority, justifying a hierarchy The state is vital to expressing the national will. Society is “an organic whole” a single body
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Nations and Society Ideology Anarchism Rejects the notion of the state
Share the belief that private property leads to inequality, but opposed to the idea that the state can solve this View the state as a threat to freedom and equality
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Nations and Society Ideology Anarchism Liberalism Libeeral democracy
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Nations and Society “Liberals” American Liberals Chinese Liberals
Want state intervention to limit inequality Favor free market reforms & individualism More in line with “social democracy” More in line with “American conservatism”
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Nations and Society Liberalism? American Liberals Chinese Liberals
As a political attitude – favors slow, evolutionary change As an ideology in North America – favors greater state role in limiting inequality, many outside the region call this social democracy As an ideology outside North America – favors free markets, individualism, accepts greater inequality As a political economy – favors limited state role in the economy
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Nations and Society Ideologies Corresponding Attitude in USA Ideology
Beliefs Corresponding Attitude in USA Liberalism Limited state role in society & economy, emphasize freedom over equality Conservative Communism Limits freedom to achieve equality; property owned by state & markets are eliminated Radical Social Democracy Supports private property & markets, but state regulates to balance freedom & equality Liberal Fascism Stresses low degree of freedom and equality in order to achieve a powerful state Reactionary Anarchism Eliminate state to maximize freedom & equality for all Radical
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Religion & Ideology Introduction
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Nations and Society Religion Religion & Ideology
Religion is like an ideology – makes assertions about the nature of people & society Ideologies increasingly replaced religion in public life in last 100 years Ideology was tool of modern state to replace “faith in god” with “faith in state” Ideologies haven’t solved problems & people have been returning to religion in last 50 years
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When religions become intensely political, we call it fundamentalism
Nations and Society Fundamentalism Fundamentalism When religions become intensely political, we call it fundamentalism Ideology that seeks to united religion with the state - make faith sovereign authority Affirmation of religious authority as absolute, expressed through collective demand that specific creedal & ethical dictates derived from scripture be publicly recognized and legally enforced
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Nations and Society Fundamentalism Fundamentalism
Wants to restructure religion as an ideology – to make faith the foundation of a modern regime As a political attitude it can appear reactionary or radical Think that returning to a golden age of faith will solve the problems of the modern worls Willing to use violence to achieve political ends
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Political Culture Comparative Politics
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Nations and Society Political Culture Culture
The content of the institutions that help define a society Like a social “road map” providing norms and priorities that guide people The activities and ideas that the group considers normal The idea that culture strongly influences politics goes against decades that focused scholarship on modernization and secularization
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Nations and Society Political Culture Political Culture
Basic norms for political activity in a society Determining factor in what ideologies will dominate a country’s political regime Unique to a given country or group Distinct from attitudes and ideologies
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Nations and Society Political Culture Political Culture Consensual
Collection of political beliefs, values, practices, and institutions that government is based on. Traditions can be very important Varies from one country to another Consensual Conflictual If the govt does not reflect the basic political values of a people, it will have difficulty remaining viable. Consensual: May disagree on some political processes and policies, BUT generally agree on how decisions are made, what issues should be addressed, and how problems should be solved. Accepts legitimacy of regime and solutions to major problems. Conflictual: Example – if citizens disagree on capitalism vs communism, or religion if major issue There is general agreement on how decisions are made Citizens are sharply divided on the legitimacy of the regime
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Nations and Society Huntington Samuel Huntington
Clash of Civilizations Cultural differences are the main fault lines in international relations since the end of the Cold War Was criticized for his characterizations of non Western cultures.
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Nations and Society Inglehart Ronald Inglehart
Created the World Values Survey to track differences in beliefs across countries, cultures, and time Results in the Inglehart Values Map Traditional vs Secular - Rational Survival vs Self-Expression Traditional – religion, family values, deference to authority, national pride Survival – emphasis on economic and physical security, low trust levels Secular-rational – less emphasis on these Self-expression – higher levels of tolerance, individual participation
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Nations and Society Inglehart
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Mini Case Study: India Comparative Politics
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How has India held together?
States Mini Case Study How has India held together? Read the passage How do India's political institutions accommodate the country's profound ethnic diversity? What is an example of an ethnic conflict in India? What is an example of a national conflict? How do they differ? In what ways are state stability and state autonomy and capacity at odds in India?
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Wrap Up States
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Main Ideas Nations & Society Remember this… OR ELSE
Ethnicity/Nationality Different Political Attitudes Different Political Ideologies Sources of Cleavages Remember this… OR ELSE
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