Poli Sci 1000B Spring 2009 Notes
Jan 8 2009
political sciences
the systematic study of politics and governments
the academic study of relations w/i and among governments and b/w
people and governments
the subordination of scientific inquiry to political objectives
Empirical approaches - theories which claim to explain the ways different political
structures work or interact - based on detailed research.
Normative approaches - theories which proclaim or justify norms and standards
to which political systems, actors or processes should conform in order to serve
the ideals of a higher moral or public good.
Political science is the study of
Ideas - concepts that matter or should matter about how people, groups,
and organizations interact in and through a political system.
Institutions - the structures and processes of the political systems
- governments and different organizations that make them up,
political parties, legal systems, and forms of representations.
- processes like the rule of law, property ownership, elections,
freedom of speech and association. Processes are the function of dialog b/w
politicians and citizens.
Interests - groups which share a common goal or value in ways that have
implications for the workings of politics.
Jan 15 2009
Human nature cannot correctly handle power and it therefore abuses it
in the absence of checks and balances power can lead to corruption
if power is centralized it can easily be abused from the center
Power - the capacity to persuade or compel others to do something they
might not otherwise do. or the capacity to stop others from persuading or
compelling you to do something
Authority - the actual or perceived right to influence or direct the attitudes
and behaviours of others
natural authority - people who naturally have authority, people we
grow up looking up to.
traditional authority - tradition dictates that some people automatically
get authority
public or legal authority - government mandates that some people are
in positions of authority, prescribed by law or position
charismatic authority - based on public recognition of an
extraordinary calling
The State - a sovereign power which effectively rules over a population w/i
the boundaries of a fixed territory. usually refers to the permanent
institutions of government including executive, legislative, and judicial
authorities.
Seven types of Consent
Acquiescence under duress - “power comes from the end of a Gun”
manipulation of consent - fake, misleading or incomplete info
Acquiescence from apathy, indifference of habit
traditional behaviour - passive acceptance
socialization - active acceptance - this is the way the community/society works
Acts of granting permission - formal authorization of some kind
active support - actions promoting or enabling acts of authority
- Legitimacy - the general recognition that those exercising authority have
the right to do so, whether in general terms or w/i a specific limit.
the maintenance of legitimacy is the supreme task of any government.
Jan 20 2009
2 views of the state/legitimacy
Realist (Hobbes) - order is based on power and imposed from the top
down. A strong central authority is needed to enforce order, limit social
and political conflict. The state is sovereign over all.
Normative/Ethical - Based on legitimacy and consent of the governed. Order is
based on a social contract from the bottom up. Society must have the capacity to
manage and resolve their own disputes with wise leadership and a willingness to
avoid an all-or-nothing conflict. popular or divided sovereignty or the rejection of
the idea of sovereignty altogether.
unconstrained vision - concept of political life based on the perception of
the unlimited potential of political activity, under the guidance of an
enlightened elite, to improve the human condition. This view was often
used to justify unconstrained use of state power to achieve desired social
objectives.
constrained vision - concept of political life based on the perception that
the inherent limitations of human nature - including knowledge, wisdom
and virtue - place limitations on the capacity of the political process to
improve the human condition.
often expressed through the promotion of social and political checks and
balances as well as the decentralization of political, economic and social power.
Jan 22 2009
ideology - a social value or belief system that claims to explain society,
both as it is and as it should be, and that seeks to provide systematic
guidance for political activity and the role of governments.
Purposes of ideology
to provide coherent and simplified understanding of political, economic and social
phenomena that can serve as a guide to political attitudes and action
may be politicized substitute for religion as a source of meaning, purpose and
collective identity
to mobilize large numbers of people to support or challenge existing social, or
political relationships and to prescribe general approaches to political activity and
the role of governments
it is not the pursuit of truth but the pursuit of power and justification for its use or
abuse in the service of a political ideal.
not the contrast b/w political philosophy which is the pursuit of knowledge that
can be demonstrated by logical argument from principles, and ideology which is
a simplified systematic set of ideas used to mobilize people or groups in pursuit
of political goals
Characteristics of Liberal Democracy
choice of ruler by the majority of citizens
rulers and citizens are subject to the rule of law
legal limits on state power
equality of political rights
rule of majority
fundamental changes in the political system usually require the approval of
a qualified or super-majority
political freedoms - speech, press, association, political pluralism, no one
group can exercise monopoly control of government and social powers
Jan 27 2009
pluralism - there are many ideas and interests that meet in the government
and work together (Canada)
Monism - only one choice (North Korea)
Dualism - one or the other (Malta)
First wave of democracy 1840-1914. Second wave from 1945 to the 60’s
(decolonization and the polarization from the cold war). the third wave from the
70’s to present (collapse of Mediterranean and latin american dictatorships and
the collapse of communism)
nation a people with a shared language, history, religion, or culture (real or
imagined) which may be used to unite the broader community or
exclude/marginalize certain groups
shared ethnicity - where ethnicity becomes the dominant form of political identity
civic nation - individuals and communities that have chosen to share a common
political identity
Jan 29 2009
constitutionalism - the belief that governments should defer to the rules
and principles enshrined in a constitution and uphold the rule of law.
Separation of powers - the division of legal powers w/i a single government or
b/w different levels of government - it is intended to divide political and legal
power to limit the potential for its abuse
can include sep of power b/w executive, legislative and judiciary
may include division of political authority b/w different levels of gov =>
federalism
limited government - governments that are subject to the rules that define and
limit what they can do w/i the political system
laws are enforceable rules of conduct and can come from
customary law - legal system based on tradition rather than a written
code of law. it evolves over time
Common law - system based on interpretation and application of legal
precedents and principles by judges to the facts of specific cases. evolves
through the application of precedents by analogy to new circumstances
Statue law - formal codification or enactment of law by competent authority usually an elected parliament or legislature in a democracy - establishing or
revising formal legal rules applying to a particular field of law
constitutional law - a set of fundamental rules and principles by which a
state is organized; usually includes both the allocation or powers to the state (or
its different parts) and limits on its exercise of power
British constitutional system - unwritten constitution, based on numerous
sources including statute law, legal precedent and constitutional
conventions sanctioned by tradition and common consent
American constitutional system - a formal written constitution which
defines and limits the powers of government, is subject to formal
amendment processes (by super-majority) and interpretation by
authoritative judiciary
Canada has elements of both the British and American system
Rule of law - the application of known, predictable and impartial rules of
conduct to rulers and ruled alike. it includes
legal limits on the power of the state
legal and constitutional powers based on recognized precedents and
procedures
impartial application of the law for the protection of persons and property
the punishment of citizens by the state only for actions that violate known
laws.
Feb 3 2009
international relations are national governments trying to achieve national goals
w/i the international community
national self intrest is the dominant principal of international relations
Realism - emphasizes the self-interested competition of states through the
use of political, military, and economic power as the dominant reality of
international relations
Balance of Power - the pursuit of coalitions of states that can limit the
ability of major powers to dominate the interests of smaller nations w/i the
international system whether on a regional or global scale.
Purpose of International organizations
the avoidance, management and resolution of international conflicts
UN - too many participants and competing interests for effective dispute
resolution. also has no teeth
collective security - international agreements that provide security for all national
signatotories to a security treaty to come to the defense any of their number
threatened w/ or subjected to an external military attack.
international organizations can exists to promote cooperation on political,
economic, cultural, environmental, and other issues
international economic organizations - IMF, WTO, World Bank
international organizations try to provide a framework of international law for the
management and resolution of disputes usually are only selectively applied.
international treaties - become effective on ratification by national
governments. they usually have limited mechanisms for enforcement
international court in The Hauge
international war crimes tribunal - extraterritorial application of laws against
crimes against humanity
WTO tribunals
emerging factors of international organizations
economic globalization
growing role of private economic organizations both multinationals and
transnationals
growing role of private NGO’s
Feb 5 2009
hard power - the ability to get others to do what they would not otherwise
do through threats or rewards
soft power - the ability to get desired outcomes through persuasion and
appeals to shared goals and values
national states are the principal actors in international relations and self interests
can be expressed through
military - the capacity to secure or protect one’s interests through the use or
threat of military force, either independently or in cooperation with allied states
Balance of power - the forging of alliances w/ other states to advance or
protect state interests in competition w/ other states
economic power and security - the capacity to secure or protect one’s
interests through the exercise of financial and economic power
Liberal internationalism - emphasizes the need for international
organizations to channel the competitive instincts of nat’l states to create a
framework of rules and shared interests to increase the security and
economic well being of nations
it seeks to replace unilateral state action w/ cooperation and interdependence,
preferably w/i a framework of int’l law
internally divided b/w idealists and pragmatists
complex interdependency - the effect of multiple relationships among
nations and their citizens that prevent nat’l govs from taking independent
action in one area w/o creating political and social consequences for
themselves and their citizens in other areas
liberal idealism - an extension of liberal utopianism in domestic policies. it
seeks the transformation of social and economic relationships by
extending the power of int’l orgs to regulate political and economic
behaviour. seeks to negotiate int’l treaties “legalizing” social aspirations
instrumental multilateralism - the use of int’l orgs as vehicles to project a
country’s national interests or to secure recognition for policies it supports
as int’l norms
liberal pragmatism - seeks to promote int’l interdependence through the
extension of economic relationships, regulated by int’l legal agreements
appeals to members’ rational economic self-interests
attempts to substitute the rule of law for arbitrary exercise of political and
economic power
feb 10 2009
Central features of Liberalism
personal freedom - absence from external coercion in major areas of life
expressed in
political freedom - freedom of speech association and political
expression
religious freedom - freedom from state control or dictation of religious
expression
economic freedom - rights of private property, freedom of contract
cultural freedom - freedom of self expression
limited government - gov exercises only those powers, w/i such limits, as
authorized by the people, closely linked to the rule of law
equality of right - equality before the law w/o regard to social status
consent of the governed - implies popular sovereignty rather than state
control or dictation of political life.
Traditions of liberalism
British Tradition
European Traditions
emphasizes evolution adaptation to changing conditions emphasizes revolution
and or state imposed changes in social and economic relations
emphasizes limits on state coercion(except in response to violence) emphasizes
use of state power to achieve political objectives and ideals
realistic and skeptical about human nature and the capacity for abuse of power
(accommodates voluntaristic approach to religion) optimistic about human
nature and the capacity of the state to engineer change (skeptical and hostile to
religion)
attempts to resolve conflicts through political competition and negotiations
emphasis on political and ideological conflict, struggle for power to impose
popular will
pragmatic tendency to emphasize what works rather than pursue abstract ideals
utopian/idealistic - what is theoretically desirable must be achieved
reflected in the writings of Locke, Hume, Smith and Burke reflected in the writings
of Rousseau and Jown Stewart Mill
Classical liberalism Reform Liberalism
individual liberty from state coercion is the central value freedom requires
absence of coercion and the capacity of individuals to achieve social potential
gov lacks wisdom and info needed to organize society for the common good individual communities are the best judges of their own interests
governments
must act to correct imbalances of income, wealth, and power that limit the fair
distribution of the benefits of freedom
economic market place allocates resources efficiently in the absence of force or
fraud markets aren’t always efficient. economic power must be controlled by the
state to prevent its abuse
general rules are necessary to enforce contracts, limit private coercion or fraud
and govs must enforce rules in the public interest
govs can and should
intervene in economy to the extent necessary to achieve social and economic
goals.
Feb 12 2009
dominant strands of liberalism
classical liberalism was dominant
britain - mid 19th to early 20th C
United states - most of the 19th and into early 20th C
Canada - end of the 19th C to the 1930s
transitions to reform liberalism
britain - 1920s
US 1890s - 1930
Canada - 1940s - 1950s
reform liberalism dominant
britain - 1950s - 1970s
US - 1930s - 1970s
Canada - 1960s - 1980s
shift to neo-liberalism
Britain - 1980s, 1990s => Major, Blair govs
US - 1990s => Clinton
Canada 1980s, 1990s => Mulroney, Chretien Govs
reform liberalism grew out of concern for the working and urban classes and the
fear that they would be exploited by the wealthy. out of reform liberalism the
social welfare state arose.
Factors undermining the Keynesian/Reform Liberal consensus
overextension of Governments
increased public cynicism and mistrust of govs
globalization - the integrations of nat’l economies in regional and int’l markets for
goods, capital, and tech - with a resulting erosion of the capacity of individual
govs to manage nat’l and local economies
fiscal crisis, resulting from chronic deficits
rising costs of financial debts - both cause and effect of rising interest rates
-slowed economic growth, leading to increased taxes, declining in public
services. Britain hit the “Fiscal wall” in the 1970s and Canada in the early-mid
1990s
reform /Welfare Liberalism neo-liberalism
govs attempt to control business/market forces by regulation, direct spending often hostile to business govs attempt to complement, and reinforce
business/market forces - avoids direct conflict with business
“govs know best” - new gov intervention was the main response to most
economic, social problems - strong bias to increased state control more
business like management - selective gov intervention - identify strategic
priorities and attempt to combine gov and private initiatives - “good governance”
growing deficits - response to public demands for higher spending deficit
reduction/balanced budgets/tax limits/centralized control over spending priorities
Economic nationalism - attempt to control foreign influence, maintain canadian
ownership of key inds, protect canadians from external economic shocks
(inflation, high oil prices) acceptance/accommodation of globalization coordination of policies w/ other industrial countries, encourage economic
integration w/ US including expansion of canadian MNC’s removing of barriers to
foreign takeovers
expand social benefits as rights or entitlement of citizenship
target social
benefits - make rights conditional on shared responsibilities - empowerment of
citizens
MIDTERM COMES TO HERE
Feb 26, 2009
socialism tried to provide an impetus of the enormous expansion of the state
during the 19th C.
every ideology must answer the question of how to limit the use of force by the
state for purely person or partisan reason.
major elements of socialist ideology
planning - state planning of the economy claimed to be more efficient
than capitalistic competition and the booms and busts of the business
cycles (empirically - largely obsolete). And. planning capable of mobilizing
resources of society more efficiently to serve the public good than the
invisible hand of competitive markets (normative)
common ownership - surpluses or profits from economic activity
should be the common property of society. Expressed in - state ownership
(collectivism/state socialism), cooperative ownership by individual
workers/stakeholders - ex credit unions workers now get a piece of the pie.
equality of result - political, social, and economic equality is a
dominant value. State intervention to reduce economic inequality, create
equal access to public services, relative income equality.
subordination of individuals to the common good - Ethical socialism
which is characterized by selflessness. Pursuit of the common good,
whether defined by a majority vote or elected leadership, takes priority over
individual rights and interests.
Contrasts with emphasis on revolutionary violence, it rejects the idea
that change can only come through a violent revolution.
Democratic socialism
emphasizes socialist transformation of society as a major goal - state
ownership/control means of production
maximalism - all or nothing approach
refuse cooperation with liberal, capitalist parties
seek democratic mandate for radical change
1910s Italy, 1930s Austria/Spain, 1970s Chile 2000s Venezuela
-corporatism - equal participation of unions in (or union veto over)
government, economic, and social policies. Much more politically
successful than maximalism
Sweden since 1940s, Austria since 1950s, Israel to 1970s
Revolutionary Socialism (marxism/leninism)
social/political change is the product of a cohesive revolutionary
“vanguard”, a party representing the interests of the workers. the party had
to educate the people on what they want.
reject bourgeois legality except as a tactic in a pursuit of power
democratic centralism - authoritative leadership group determines party
policies, tactics - suppression of dissent
eliminate social groups capable of resisting creation of socialist society
there are non-communist “state socialist” governments - Burma
Shining Path of Peru and FARC in Columbia as well as populists in Venezulea
and Bolivia
the decline of revolutionary socialist ideology is the result of
revelation of the systemic crimes against humanity
stigmatization of domestic communist parties as tools of foreign powers
internal corruption of governing hierarchies, and the emergence of a selfserving governing class.
comparative poverty, inefficiency of socialist societies
recognition of social repression inherent in doctrines of “progressive
tolerance” - the idea that one tolerates that don’t obstruct the advancement of
state goals and eliminates everything that does obstruct the goals
Social Democracy
reformist ideology - seeks to transform society through democratic
political processes - there is a commitment to rule of law and government
by the consent of the governed
acceptance of piecemeal change as an alternative to radical social/political
change - ex gradual extension of welfare state.
coalition building - the tactical cooperation with liberal parties
shift from emphasis on state ownership to Keynesian economic policies,
an expansion of the welfare state and government regulation of the
economy.
Mar 3 2009
the third way socialism - slogan adopted by social dems in an attempt to
distinguish themselves from both their own past ideologies and the antigov rhetoric of neo-con political parties. Characterized by
cooperation w/ business to promote economic growth w/o
undermining the social safety net or major state enterprises
acceptance of globalization - seek cooperation b/w govs on
international standards
deficit reduction, balanced budgets seen as critical to the preservation
of public services and the welfare state.
greater emphasis on conditional access to social services - making
distinctions between able bodied people and non-able bodied people
applying for welfare.
authoritarianism major characteristics
limited political pluralism - political choice is available but limited to
choices that the leadership allows. It is controlled pluralism - it exists at the
discretion of the gov
independent organizations are allowed to exist unless they challenge
political leadership of the state elites
varying degrees of oppression/intimidation by the regime to
opponents of the state by state police. frequent use of military/police OR
bureaucratic oppression against opponents.
Leaders exercise power w/i ill defined but predictable limits
tendency towards statism and major political role for military or police
right wing authoritarianism (Linz)
no systematic or guiding ideology
no extensive political mobilization - the systematic organization of social
interests to serve the interests of the state
Left wing authoritarianism (D&F)
varying degrees of political mobilization - dominant state party whose
organization penetrates the social and economic life of the nation. join the state
sponsored church, union, association etc or don’t bother trying anything
quasi-democratic authoritarianism
govs elected, often in politically tainted elections
may be characterized by charismatic leaders who use forms of
democracy, while undermining its substance (Russia - Putin)
Mar 5, 2009
Totalitarian
Autocracy/tyranny
Attempts to control all aspects of life usually seeks to impose only the aspect of
political control or superficial conformity to official creed
systematic organization + technological capacity
extent of control often
limited by organizational weakness, inability to supervise wide range of activities
Six major characteristics of totalitarianism
official ideology - usually intended to remake society - Marxism-Leninism,
Naziism
single party, often ruled by one man, dictating all aspects of political and
social life. may be legitimized by “pseudo-democratic rule”
the party controls the state, army, and all social organizations - unions,
farm/business groups (if private property is allowed) churches (if religion is
permitted) youth and other organizations all must submit to the control and
direction of the party.
use of terror - systematic use of physical and psychological intimidation
against a population, particularly against a class of people identified as
providing less than wholehearted support for the leader/party/official
ideology.
communications monopoly
state controls all means of public communications
vehicle for “thought control”, “promotion of state objectives”, suppression of
inconvenient facts about a regime
Art, literature and journalism all serve state interests of the state.
subordination of state law to the state
the law is a tool that serves the interests of the state - means for the
enforcement of state objectives, not balancing of interests or protection of
individual rights
rulers are above the law, or are a law unto themselves
planned economy
may involve public ownership or detailed state control of private economy
Islamism
islamism and islam are not the same thing
it is a politicized version of islam that rejects the traditional divide b/w
political and religious authority typical and both conventional Muslim and
most secular societies in favour of a Muslim theocracy
theocracy - the political rule of a religious elite uniquely qualified to apply
religious laws to all aspects of life
contrasted with tactical or principled pluralism of moderate Islamic parties in
democratic systems (Turkey)
theocracy may emerge w/i a national state or as a restoration of
transnational Caliphate governing the entire Muslim world
National variants range from totalitarian (Taliban) to authoritarian (Iran) to
democratic pluralists (Turkey)
Mar 10, 2009
- Islam as a religion is divided into two groups
Shia - live in Iran, south-eastern Iraq and Lebanon. believe that the family
line of Mohammed (Kabbah) are the leaders of Islam
Sunni - Believe that leadership of Islam follows the Caliph’s. from 15171920 the Caliphate was united with the Ottoman Turkish Sultanate.
the heartland of Islam is in the middle east even though there are huge
populations of muslims in North Africa, Indonesia, Pakistan and other places.
Nasser - president of egypt b/w 1952-1971 and leader of the muslim world during
that time
Sufi islam - similar to the mystical strains of Catholicism. it is a mystical
experience of Allah
in Islam there is no formal separation of public law and religious law.
Wahhabi islam - emerged from the Persian desert (Saudi Arabia) which views all
other versions of Islam as corrupt. grew in power as a result of the oil crisis in the
70’s and the failures of national secularism to keep the Arab Middle east
independent from the power plays of the Cold War
almost all versions of Islam agree on the need for the purification of Muslim
states so that the ideal theocratic states can be achieved.
most expressions of islamism are expressions of nationalism often religious
nationalism
there are 3 variants are wahabbi islam
Saudi variant - the Saudi royal family controls Mecca and Medina
Muslim Brotherhood - seeks to throw out corrupt regimes. militant
Al Qeada - Osama Bin Laden - extremely militant theocracy
these three wish to see a monopoly of rule by a credential religious elite and the
removal of separation of Islam and the state.
Islamic law would be applied to all of society and would supervise the political
process. Could be pluralist, authoritarian, or totalitarian.
Nationalism
nationalism - may refer to the ambition of a national or ethnic group to
become self-governing as a nation state, or a political doctrine holding that
loyalty to a nation and its political institutions takes precedence over all
other loyalties.
usually is an expression of one ethnic group becoming aware of of the
disadvantages they have to the ruling ethnic group.
patriotism - strong feelings of loyalties to a nation and its traditions or
institutions and identification w/ its interests - does not exclude alternate
loyalties - although it may take precedence over them if country is
threatened w/ attack or loss of independence. it is a bottom up version of
loyalty.
assumptions about nations (contested) per E. Kedourie
humanity is naturally divided into nations
Nations are known by certain characteristics which can be ascertained
the only legitimate type of government is national self government
- types of nationalism
civic nationalism - inclusive forms of nationalism that emphasizes
shared loyalty to the institutions and values of a nation from all of it’s
citizens, without reference to ethnicity, national origin, language or
religion. AKA liberal nationalism
Mar 12, 2009
civic nationalism provides a pathway for assimilation and integration.
ethnic nationalism - promotion of national identity and self-government on
the basis of ethnicity. Think Palestine.
irredentism - nationalist ambition to recover lost territory adjacent to
existing national boundaries.
religious nationalism - promotion of a national identity and the definition of
the public interest by translating the religious identity and values of the
majority into a country’s legal and political institutions.
presidential system
system in which the president exercises significant political power as
Head of State and head of the government, not just titular leader.
can be supported by Prime Minister as Head of government (semipresidential system) - terms of appointment, relations with legislature may vary.
in the presidential system Legislatures may have great or lesser degrees of
autonomy
USA - checks and Balances- two houses that are independent of each other
France - strong president controlling foreign relations and defense; Prime
Minister accountable to majority in National Assembly, manages domestic policy
Mexico - strong president who is head of state and names cabinet. there is
proportional representation in both houses of Congress. President must answer
to both and he negotiates each piece of legislation or vice versus.
Mar 17 2009
St. Patty’s day whoop whoop.
Westminster parliament system - cabinet is accountable to majority in
parliament.
westminster strengths westminster weaknesses
tendency to promote strong govs, especially with majority parties tendency
towards concentration of political power in a few hands - requires a strong
democratic history
promotes centre catch-all brokerage parties
limited checks and balances on
abuse of political power by majority govs.
balancing of interests usually take place w/i the governing party - other interests
usually pursue coalition in major opposition party
dispersed minorities may be
underrepresented in parliament if not represented in majority party
- consensual parliamentary system = proportional representation
Consensual parliament system strengths Consensual parliament system
weakness
tendency to promote inclusive governments
tendency to create political
instability and horse-trading among party factions
voters tend to have a wider choice of party options - parties may reflect major
social, cultural or political divisions or just personal factions
difficulty in
achieving national unity except in times of extreme crisis.
govs can be held hostage by minority parties
increased risk of corruption
Mar 19, 2009
Federalism
a contractual arrangement b/w political units that decide to create a new political
space
a system of gov in which sovereignty is divided b/w a central gov and
several provincial or state gov
- goals of federalism
extend political control over broad territory while making provisions
for local self-government
accommodate linguistic and cultural diversity through divisions of
gov powers to limit internal sectional conflict - “shield for minorities and
territorial interests”
creates checks and balances on use/misuse of gov power (madison) balance forces of centralizations and decentralization(dicey)
structural elements of federalism
federal-provincial division of powers - includes provisions for
resolution of federal-provincial conflicts
bicameral legislature - two houses of parliament/congress with
different electorates to balance national/regional or state interests. effective
in some federal states eg US, Aus, Germany, Mexico - only symbolic in Canada
interstate federalism - negotiation of federal-provincial conflicts and
differences b/w federal and provincial govs.
intrastate federalism - representation and balancing of regional
interests within the federal gov
federalism in Canadian politics
emphasis on geographical representation, “regional fairness” in
federal politics
increases power of geographically concentrated minorities, especially
in coalition w/ other regional interests.
allow regional majorities to pursue power at provincial level, allowing
for greater diversity of provincial politics, policies
alternatives to federalism
unitary state - all gov power concentrated at center. no significant
delegation of power to local/regional governments
devolution - national gov retains final say on national policies.
delegation of political and administrative power to regional gov.
confederation - regional govs delegate power to weak central gov.
regional states retain final authority over national policies.
independent states - each state sovereign w/i its own boundaries. Interstate cooperation on matter of shared interest.
Mar 24, 2009
interest groups- individuals or groups organized to pursue shared political
interests or goals. or organization whose members band together to promote
policy that is in their common interest. most groups represent a very specific
group that pays fees to the groups which then lobbies on its behalf
these groups articulate the interests of its members with the goal of
changing laws and influencing policies. they don’t actively seek to gain
political power
interests groups
administrate, - some special interest groups administer gov programs
regulate,- special interest groups set standards that the industry must
follow. they represent the interests of the group (doctors, lawyers etc) to the gov
and the gov consults with them
communicate, - communicate with gov officials and are used by the gov to
communicate to its members and general pop.
and legitimate - through policy endorsements
special interests vs general interests - general interest groups may not
receive funding from the people that they are representing b/c attempt to
represent a very broad category eg women’s groups
protest groups - interest groups organized to challenge a particular policy
proposal or social condition. deals with one particular policy
Issue-oriented group - continuing group of persons or organizations whose
activities focus on particular field of policy or social concern. most
common type of group
Institutionalized group - interest group that is recognized by governments
as the representative of a particular social or economic interests or a
reliable source of expert information in a particular policy. think Canadian
Cattlemen’s Association.
business interest groups fit into both institutionalized and issue-oriented groups
and are very powerful organizations. it depends on the structure of the group as
to which section it is in.
anomic interest groups are the same as protest groups
associational groups are the same as issue oriented group
institutional groups - orgs closely associated with govs that act internally
to influence public decisions. they a group that represents military families.
non associational groups (latent) unorganized groups made up of
individuals who perceive a common identity on the basis of race, culture,
religion, etc. not really an interest group. think ranchers vs Canadian
cattleman’s association.
interest groups are influential b/c of
numbers - size matters and where there are votes there are politicians
cohesion - together everyone achieves more. the group must
consistently act as a block.
Organizational skills - the ability to coordinate individual responses
from the group members
leadership - the ability to mobilize the group members and also
needed to be an effective face of the organization
nature of the issue - appeals to legislators and public opinion.
lobbying - an organized effort to influence gov policies. It is the single most
important part of an interest groups job.
lobbying is done by professional lobbyist or a political consultant
Direct lobbying - the direct contact by individuals or orgs with gov
decision-makers in an effort to influence their decisions or actions
writing letters
appearing before parliamentary or legislative committees
organizing coalitions of groups to coordinate their position to the gov
indirect lobbying - the efforts of individuals or orgs to influence the
priorities of decisions of gov policy makers by influencing public opinion
or mobilizing people and groups to contact contact policy-makers directly
media events - must be careful not to piss off the gov though.
advocacy advertising
commissioning public research
public education campaigns
equity of interest groups - different interest groups have different access to
resources and levels of power. they don’t level the playing field for Canadians b/c
it is their job to elevate the status of their members. Large groups have better
access to money b/c they have large memberships with which to get
memberships fees from.
Mar 26, 2009
political party - formal organization whose principal objective is to elect
and maintain in office persons capable of forming and controlling a gov,
either alone or in coalition with other parties => organized appetites for the
pursuit of power
major objectives of political parties
contests elections in order to form governments
recruit and elect candidates
finance party operations and election campaigns
provide training ground for potential leaders
elect leaders
recruit and train potential leaders with the capacity to run a government or
form a credible alternative government.
may include training of political staff and campaign managers which
become the core of professional political class.
aggregation of demands
balancing or attempting to reconcile demands of competing interests.
functions of parties reflect the balance between:
mobilization - the recruitment of activists, donors, and voters who will
provide party elites with the resources and votes necessary to win elected
office and (at least in theory) a share of the power
representation - conduits for the interests, demands, and concerns of
various groups of voters in the decision making processes of govs and
representative assemblies.
Types of Parties
- Pragmatic/brokerage
party support policies/coalitions of interests necessary to win
elections
policies may overlap with those of other brokerage parties e.g fed
liberals and conservatives, AB PC’s, Sask. and Man. NDP
ideological parties
party exists to promote large scale political, social change, usually
driven by a coherent ideology - federal NDP Greens
interest parties
party based on representation of particular social or economic
interests w/i the political system - Fed NDP, Bloc
Personal Party - a party based on loyalty to an individual without reference
to an ideology or interests other than the interests and ideology of the
Leader
party created to support specific political leader
more frequent in multiparty systems w/ proportional representation
movement party
party usually based on movement for national self-determination Bloc
Mar 31, 2009
franchise bargain of Canadian Parties - the tacit agreement to encourage
political involvement by allowing local riding associations and party
members to select candidates for public office in return for submitting to
authority of a highly centralized party leadership team
Virtual Party Thesis - describes the domination of political parties by
clusters of political advisors around successful leadership candidates.
party competition
one party system
only one party allowed to compete OR
formal elections take place, but the process is controlled by the dominant
party
eg Soviet Russia
one party dominant system
one party consistently wins elections over a long period
system is theoretically competitive, but weaker parties lack
sufficiently widespread support to have much chance of winning elections
think federal liberals 1993-2004 Alberta UFA, SC, PC.
two party (plus?) system
two parties have a regular chance to win elections, periodically
alternate in power w/o need for support from other parties.
other, smaller parties may also compete for elections, and win seats.
multiparty system
several parties compete for power; none usually wins a majority of
votes or seats
parties typically form coalition governments.
electoral systems
single member plurality/ “first past the post” system
each jurisdiction is divided into jurisdictional constituencies
may or may not reflect representation-by-population
candidates with the most votes in each constituency wins
advantages:
tends to facilitate majority governments
provides representation to geographically concentrated minorities.
promotes the creation of brokerage parties that are coalitions of
interests - may or may not encourage “centrist” politics.
disadvantages:
little connection b/w number of seats and votes cast - can result in a
majority of seats without getting the majority of votes.
underrepresentation of dispersed minorities - may allow
gerrymandering
governments can be formed w/o the majority of support
may contribute to voter polarization
proportional representation aka List system- the percentage of seats a
party gets represents the percentage of votes, more or less, the party gets
in a particular jurisdiction
may be electoral thresholds to reduce influence of fringe or extremist
parties (typically 5-7%)
elections of majority govs are very rare - parties typically bargain for
membership in gov and influence over gov agenda.
effective power lies in selection process for party candidates e.g. who
decides which candidates are “high enough” on list to secure elections.
Multi-member proportional representation system (MMP)
it is a hybrid system, combining representatives of local constituencies,
elected under plurality vote, with national list system to make overall party
representation proportional to party votes.
voters cast two ballots, the first for a local representative, and the second
for a national list put forward by the parties. after the local representatives
are decided members from the winners of list elections are added in the
numbers needed to ensure proportionality
attempts to balance local and national representation. it is used in Germany,
New Zealand, Italy. it was rejected in PEI, Ontario, and NFLD
Single transferable vote
elections held for candidate in multimember constituencies, ensuring
“local” representation
voters rank candidates in order of preference, Successful candidates must
receive enough votes to meet electoral quota
“second choice” (and then third) ballots are redistributed until required
number of candidates receive “quota” necessary for election.
April 2, 2009
the party system, the electoral system, and the nature of both the representative
assembly, and the representative function of elected members are all mutually
interdependent - you cannot change one of these without changing all of them.
the purpose of representative functions are:
representation - of who or what though is large question
forming a gov - parliamentary system - Westminster nations as well as
German, Italy, Israel etc.
organizing the assembly for legislative purposes
passing/revising legislation
Holding govs accountable - oversight - there are two principle methods
for this the first is Question period it is usually fairly partisan and ineffective. the
second method is through committee investigations
provide an alternative gov - the opposition must show that they are a
credible alternative to the current gov - this greatly increases the ability for the
opposition to recruit members.
coalitions can be formed either by announcing that if elected they will form a
coalition or by after looking at the votes they receive then decide to form a
coalition. Coalitions have a written agreement that formally outlines what the
coalition will look like.
in the presidential system to our south the Congress and the senate are mutually
independent from each other and the President. each body forms there own
committees without input from any other part of the gov.
in the Canadian system the Cabinet sponsors the vast majority of the bills that
get passed.
there are three types of representation
party representation - you are elected based on party affiliation and
are expected to follow party discipline.
delegate representation - elected officials vote for their constituents
(usually happens in caucus)
trustee representation - personal judgement is used to balance the will
of the party and the will of the constituent. - very common in the US Senate
and the Alberta Con caucus.
April 7, 2009
cabinet - a small group of officials who direct the policy process and
oversee the departments and agencies of gov. In Canada, cabinet ministers
are usually elected representatives of the party in power.
major functions of the cabinet
provide political leadership to departments of gov - make major policy
decisions and supervise administration of laws.
provide party and national political leadership - cabinet decisions are
collective decisions, binding on all members of the caucus.
major agency for regional and sectoral representation w/i the gov - all
provinces usually represented and major groups w/i the party coalition
usually represented
make order in council appointments - political appointments which
may include judiciary, members of major public agencies.
central agencies - organizations which coordinate the activities of
government
Prime Minister’s Office - made up of the PM’s personal staff and
Partisan political advisors and support staff
Privy Council Office - described as the Prime Minister’s Department made up of civil servants, and are responsible for coordinating the
activities of different gov departments, providing support services to the
PM and the Cabinet.
Department of Finance - senior economic policy ministry of the gov.
they coordinate budgetary policy (taxes, spending), and economic policy
for gov.
Treasury Board Secretariat - oversees management of go
bureaucracy, including review of spending proposals, personnel and
program reviews
Prime Minister as an Elected Monarch
Elected by party convention or membership, not MP’s or cabinet - can
only be deposed by the same selectorate
principal spokesperson and vote-getter for the party - election victory
usually seen as a personal mandate for PM
Appoints members of cabinet, deputy ministers (senior civil servants)
- has the right to promote and fire at will
Has the power to intervene in policy, business of any gov ministry,
subject tot he rule of law
Oversees, and conduct foreign affairs and federal-provincial relations
constraints on PM’s power
time/potential for agenda overload - the PM must set priorities to be
effective in a complex universe
federal-provincial division of powers
Continental/global market forces
Judicial review - the PM isn’t above the law and is still accountable
before the courts.
April 9, 2009
Bureaucracy - refers both to structures and organizations of government,
and the permanent employees of the government (civil servants)
major role of bureaucracy
advise the political executive
administer policy decisions and laws approved by cabinet and
parliament
may involve designing and implementing regulations to fill in the
details of general legislations approved by parliament
regulations - “subordinate” legislations designed and implemented by the
bureaucracy, under authority of legislations passed by parliament, subject
to the approval of cabinet.
Major Characteristics of Bureaucracy
Hierarchy - chain of command from top to bottom
division of labour - specialized positions with specific job descriptions
rule based organizations - civil servants have limited discretion, and must
carry out responsibilities according to consistent rules
career civil servants / political neutrality - civil servant’s are expected to be
committed to the government, without regard to the party in power.
job security /security of tenure
hiring and promotions based on merit as a principle
types of gov orgs
gov department
headed by a cabinet minister
managed by deputy minister
department's functions defined by legislations, gov- wide policies governing
personnel, spending and internal accountability
department's budgets are approved by parliament
gov enterprises
“crown corporations”
operate at varying degrees of arms-lengths from gov
frequently responsible for delivering goods and services in marketplace
use agency/crown corporations form to promote more business-like, less
bureaucratic management practices
may use agency form to have additional flexibility in hiring and
compensation of staff
may or may not have a monopoly or protected position in market
spoils system / politicized bureaucracy
political responsive
potential for corruption, and inefficiency
-ministerial accountability
ministers answer for actions of officials
professional civil service
external watchdog agencies assist parliament
central agencies
coordinate activities of different departments
advise politicians in controlling actions of other bureaucrats
may impose centralized budgetary controls - means of setting
priorities and enforcing controls
April 14, 2009
the role of the judiciary in terms of politicization depend strongly on the political
and judicial traditions of a nation.
common law - applies existing rules and precedents from past cases to the
specific circumstances of particular legal cases - balanced by the law of equity.
seeks to achieve consistency by using previous precedents and seeking to find
how they apply to the case at hand. judges have the right to alter one law to
make it consistent to another law - that is the law of equity. the judiciary is
traditionally independent from the political system but at the same time are
supposed to put aside personal agendas and views to uphold the law. judges are
the servants of the law
legal positivism - the idea that the only valid laws are specific legal
enactments of constitutions and legislatures. based on the idea that the
law should serve the public interest as defined by legislators rather than
the individual rulings of individual judges. Judges are servants of the state.
sociological law - law is a flexible instrument that can and should be used
to achieve the social and political objectives of legal and judicial
authorities. the validity of law is largely related to its utility in achieving the
objectives which political and or judicial authorities believe to be in the
public interest. Judges have freedom of choice and are not servants of the
state or law but are the laws master. utility of a law for the public good and
freedom of choice are main themes of sociological law.
supreme court of Canada - created by federal statute, judges are federally
appointed
Federal court of Canada (and federal Courts of Appeals in each province) created by federal statute and the judges are federally appointed. there are a
panel of judges
provincial superior courts (and provincial courts of appeal) - created by provincial
statutes but judges are federally appointed. there are a panel of judges.
provincial courts (family, juvenile, small claims) - created by provincial statutes
and judges are provincially appointed
judicial independence
tenure in office (during good behavior) - as long as you act
responsibly you have tenure until age 75
freedom from pressure from those in political authority
administrative efficiency
justice delayed is justice denied
courts should be run efficiently, in order to provide access to justice for all
parties to legal actions and avoid penalizing citizens with limited financial
resources.
legal consistency
legal rulings should be based on precedents to provide guidance and
predictability both for those enforcing the law and those subject to it.
legal penalties for similar offenses should be sufficiently similar to avoid the
arbitrary application of justice.
access to justice
the costs of access to justice should not be prohibitive
e.g. “legal aids” funds, state prosecutions of criminal cases and
discretionary awarding of costs to successful plaintiffs and defendants
contingency fees - should lawyers take a case if they get a piece of the
settlement
judicial review - the power of the courts to review the legislative and
administrative actions of govs for their conformity to existing laws and
compliance w/ their constitutional authority
Judicial activism - court rulings that conflict w/ or go significantly beyond
existing precedents in their interpretation of the law
may involve substitution of judicial action for traditional political
areas of decision-making.
the politicization of the judiciary - the deliberate effort of judges, politicians
or interest groups to use the courts to promote their political agendas in
ways that make the law a tool of political action
Judicial restraint
commitment to working w/i existing judicial authority by interpreting
laws in ways consistent w/ established precedents
the unwillingness of judges to intervene in explicitly political disputes,
except on narrow grounds of existing law.
April 16, 2009
LAST DAY OF CLASSES OF MY FRESHMEN YEAR
for the definitions you must compare and contrast two terms - you must define
the terms and then give 4 reasons for both of significance and they all must be
correct. significance - relate the concept to other similar concepts, give examples
of the concept and
methodological individualism - claim that social political and economic
actions are best explained as how they result from a diversity of social
actions. people can make different choices for different reasons.
explanations results from actions among individuals. statements such as “
many canadians support human rights but are supported more in Lower
mainland BC and the GTA”
methodological collectivism - individual actions are derived from aggregate
social actions. peoples actions are pre-determined. all encompassing
statements such as “all Canadians support human rights” collectivism
makes broader generalities about groups.
advocacy advertising - advertising by groups other than political periods to
influence public policy. can be during an election although during an election it is
usually monitored and expenditures are limited. or b/w elections.