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West Coast American Leadership Academy Political Science 5 – Western Political Thought Spring 2016 / Fall 2016 – Power Point 1 Course Lecture Topics 1. American Persona 2. Defining Political Science 3. Role Of Theory, Rational Choice, Realism 4. Elitism & Pluralism 5. Transitional Effects & Stabilization 6. Spheres Of Influence 7. Power Theory & Transparency Theory 8. Classical & Modern Political Thought 9. Organic Roots Of America 10.Elite Inspiration For Our Government. Welcome To Class! New semesters bring various hiccups for everyone. This also goes for your instructor. We are all adjusting to new situations, course schedule conflicts and other adjustments. This course utilizes various methods to deliver information. Many of our materials are media driven. You will find many to be humorous, thought provoking, or even interesting. This first clip is presented merely for fun. It is titled “Welcome To School.” School Frustration What Is Political Science? 1. Political science is a branch of the social sciences. • Just like Sociology. 2. Each branch is interested in individual and group behavior. • Fundamental difference is the foundational theory. 3. Sociologists are biased towards elitism. 4. Political scientists are biased towards pluralism. • Elite theory is still utilized in contrast with pluralism. 5. Political scientists examine influences of political behavior. • Result of competing interests. • End result of conflict and compromise. 6. Sociologists look at individual behavior. • According to elite influence in general. Role Of Theory 1. Everyone uses theory whether they know it or not. 2. Many of us devise our own theories. • Through childhood socializations up to adulthood. 3. Foundation of political science. • Pluralism / Rational Choice Theory. 4. Think of theory as a pair of sunglasses. • Filtering unwanted information. • Helps us “see” the truth. Rational Choice Theory (1) 1. What Is The Primary Goal Of The Individual? • • • • The answer may be summed up in one word: Survival. Survival is the foundation for all action. Individual parties make decisions based on rationality. It Assumes individuals base all decisions on self-interest. 2. Requirements To Make A Rational Choice: • Perfect information • Balancing our emotions 3. Rational Choice In One Sentence: • “Decisions are based on self-interest…as we define our self-interest to be.” Rational Choice Theory (2) • It was Sept. 26, 1983, Colonel Stanislav Petrov was monitoring the Soviet Union’s early warning satellites at Serpukhov-15. • Then the alarms went off. On the panel in front him was a red pulsating button. One word flashed: "Start." This was a false alarm. • The false alarm came during one of the most tense periods of the Cold War. Colonel Stanislav Petrov Rational Choice Theory (3) Who Is Acting Rationally In This Example? We have a nun and a real-estate mogul. The nun gives up all her worldly possessions and dedicates herself to helping those in poverty. Her justification may be great rewards in the afterlife. The real-estate mogul does not believe in an afterlife, but does believe in making as much money as , spending it all on an overly extravagant and abusive lifestyle. Who is acting rationally? Both individuals are for they are fulfilling their selfinterest…as they define their self-interest to be. Example Of Theory: Realism 1. Human nature is the predominant factor. • • • • In a nation-state’s foreign policy. These policies are focused upon self-interest. The inherent motive for man is survival . Applied policies are determined according to political determinations. 2. Considered to be a synonym for power politics. • Construed as pragmatic and wrought with simplicity. • Abrupt philosophy focused on the inherent evils of mankind. Realism This clip is from the movie “Failsafe.” Walter Matthau plays the role of National Security Advisor who applies rational choice and realist theory to explain why striking at the Soviet Union is necessary to survive. Failsafe America Stands Strong This is a speech about American strength by Ronald Reagan, 40th President of the United States. President Ronald Reagan Elitism 1. 2. 3. 4. Elitism does not promote elite rule. The rules of a society obstruct social progress of masses. Elites are needed due mass ignorance and apathy. Elites have two main goals: • Preserve and enhance their positions of power. 5. Masses are open to demagogues: • When the economy is doing poorly. • The country is fighting a war that it is losing. 6. Demagogues come from the far left or far right. 7. The Founding Fathers were against national referenda. Elitism Summarized (1) 1. Society is divided between the powerful few and the majority weak. 2. Governing few are not typical of the governed masses. Elites are not drawn mostly from the upper class socioeconomic section of society. 3. Non-elites have to be given the opportunity to rise up to elite positions. The masses have to believe that the process is continuous or revolution may occur. Barriers prevent finite elite positions from being overtaken by unqualified individuals. This is a rat and cheese scenario. Sufficient Cheese Sufficient Cheese Lack Of Cheese Elitism Summarized (2) 4. Elites share a common belief on the basic values of the elite. Any change of public policy will be incrementally slow rather than revolutionary. 5. Elites may base their actions either on narrow, self-serving motives and risk undermining mass support, or they may initiate reforms, curb abuse, and undertake publicregarding programs to preserve the system. 6. Active elites are not typically influenced from apathetic masses. Elites influence masses more than the masses influence elites. Elitism Summarized (3) Elitism / Information Flow (1) 1. Information flows from opinion elites down to opinion leaders who are looked to the public for information. 2. News is first “created” by opinion elites and then sent to opinion leaders to help disseminate the information. 3. Those at the very top of the elite network decide what information is deemed as necessary to offer society. 4. These elites may be news makers themselves or in charge of large media corporations. 5. Opinion leaders may be thought of as journalists, news anchors, expert pundits or even celebrities who possess legitimacy among those in society. Elitism – Information Flow (2) Mirror Myth 1. 2. 3. 4. News media outlets “decide what will be decided.” Bias is exhibited throughout the mainstream and nontraditional news sources. The news media stress that they are nonbiased since they only reflect reality. Their choice of news subjects proves their bias. What We Call The News (1) Securing market share is vital, for without it, the major media would lose advertising revenue. It is really our fault that the major news networks willfully focus on sex, violence and various negative pieces. Enjoy this video, “What We Call The News.” What We Call The News (2) Pluralism & Spheres (1) 1. Pluralism insures that groups are restricted from single handedly influencing public policy. 2. Cross-cutting cleavages would form, as groups seek compromise with others to build coalitions that would succeed in affecting change. 3. Minorities are protected from an overwhelming majority. 4. Majority power-holders are essentially “checked.” • Cross-cutting cleavages balance against overwhelming forces. Pluralism & Spheres (2) Campaign Example Citizen Based Propaganda “The War On Terror” sparked a great deal of media distributed via the Internet. Elites no longer maintain total control over distribution. These videos are meant to produce an “Us” versus “Them” mindset. Citizen Propaganda Example Pluralism Summarized (1) 1. Society is divided into numerous groups with all making demands on government while none of the participants are able to dominate all decision-making. 2. Citizens do not directly participate in decision-making, but they are able to vote for leaders to make decisions through a process of bargaining, accommodation, and compromise. Pluralism Summarized (2) 3. Competition among leadership groups helps protect individuals’ interests. Countervailing centers of power – for example, competition among business leaders, labor leaders and government leaders – can check one another and keep each interest from abusing its power and oppressing the individual. Each of these individual “spheres of influence” allies themselves with other spheres that possess similar goals. See “Spheres Of Influence.” 4. Individuals may not participate directly in decision-making, but they can exert influence through active participation in organized groups, political parties and elections. Pluralism Summarized (3) 5. Leadership groups are open; new groups can form and gain access to the political system. 6. Political influence in society is unequally distributed, but power is widely dispersed. Access to decision making is often determined by how much interest people have in a particular decision. Because leadership is fluid and mobile, power depends on one’s interest in public affairs, skills in leadership, information about issues, knowledge of democratic processes, and skill in organization and public relations. Pluralism Summarized (4) 7. Multiple leadership groups operate within society. Those who exercise power in one kind of decision do not necessarily exercise power in others. No single elite dominates decision making in all issues. 8. Public policy does not necessarily reflect majority preference, but is an equilibrium of interest interaction – competing interest group influences are more or less balanced, and the resulting policy is therefore a reasonable approximation of society’s preferences. Elitism Versus Pluralism (1) 1. Elitism asserts that the most important division in society is between elites and masses. 2. Elitism emphasizes the importance to leaders to maintain their position of power – Pluralism emphasizes this devotion to their group interests. 3. Elitism asserts that mass membership of organizations rarely exercises influence on elite leadership. That these organizations have no democratic processes and are controlled by leaders who operate for their own self-interest. Pluralists offer no evidence that the giant organizations represent the interests of their individual members. Elitism Versus Pluralism (2) 4. Elitism takes into account of all power holders – private and public. Pluralism focuses on governmental leaders and those who interact directly with them. 5. Elitism emphasizes shared characteristics of leaders on top of their interest in preserving the social diversity among leaders, differences in backgrounds, ideologies, and viewpoints. Pluralism also argues that decisions made by leaders are a product of their role perception, institutional constraints, interest group pressure, public opinion, etc. Elitism focuses on leadership consensus – Pluralism focuses on elite conflict. Spheres Of Influence 1. Competing spheres of influence protect minority rights against majority factions. 2. Alliances will form among once competing spheres in order to “check” another sphere or individual elite base that acquires too much power. 3. Individual spheres of influence are always on the alert for one of their peers assuming too much power. Competing Spheres 1. Competing Spheres of Influence essentially check each other within the political system. 2. This is essential for the protection of minority rights especially as it pertains to majority factions. 3. Elites are those who hold positions of power in society. 4. Our Founding Fathers considered the protection of minority rights as those few individuals who retained control over society. Transitional Effects – 1 1. Competition produces great returns for humanity. 2. The result has been America progressing from a predominantly agricultural society to an industrial, nuclear, and information based society. 3. Innovation has led to advancements that have greatly influenced every aspect of society. 4. Society has benefited from constant advancements in energy harvesting, computers, communication, water purification, medicine, etc. Transitional Effects – 2 SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT Every significant discovery has in turn greatly influenced societal norms of behavior Masses today view internet communications as a vital necessity. It is nearly impossible to operate in a complex society without easy access to the web. The majority of masses did not have this belief fifteen years ago. Only society determining that the internet allowed for greater efficiency was it adopted as a societal norm. Those not willing to adapt became obsolete. Stabilization 1. Sudden instability is the greatest threat to humanity. • It threatens to cause irreparable harm to the individual. 2. Elimination of one’s sustenance throws the individual into a state of war, because their survival is now threatened. 3. Nation-states consist of multiple spheres of interest in turn consisting of individual units consisting of people. 4. Survival is the primary goal of man and nation-states. • The primary concern is that of stability. • This philosophy has prevented a major war for over 70 years. • Instability is the primary cause of all conflict. Spheres Of Influence 1. Spheres consist of individuals who share a common set of interests and/or belief systems. 2. Individual participants are the absolute micro-level. • Family, work, school, political parties, religion, etc. • The individual member serves as the conduit between spheres. • Various social interactions influence individual behavior. Elite Stages 1. Elites are the true minority. • This is true for all societies. 2. Elites possess large capacities of power. 3. The example shows maximum education. Pluralism Alliances 1. Alliances will form among once competing spheres in order to “check” another sphere or individual elite base that acquires too much power. 2. Certain situations may also call for spheres realize they share a common agenda with one or more of their respective peers. Interdependent Spheres Government Business Individual Power Theory – 1 1. To exert power one must first possess adequate reserves • This is defined simply as “capacity of power.” 2. Achieving higher positions is dependent on various factors that may include: education; wealth; profession; charisma and other talents either developed or engrained from birth. 3. This “capacity of power” is not determined according to a single resource, ability or possession. 4. It is a combination of different variables that serve to make up the individual. 5. This is just like a battery consisting of energy resources drawn upon when it comes time to draw power in order to achieve a set objective. Power Theory – 2 Like a battery powering a flashlight so does one’s individual “capacity of power” serve to assist one in achieving a set goal or in this case influencing or affecting political behavior to maintain, expand or protect one’s standing in order to survive in society. Power Theory – 3 Power equals resources (capacity of power) times compliance squared, divided by force. Every accounting of power theory is taken into consideration in the construction of this formula. We have explored the contention that the pursuit of self-interest encourages man to engage in political behavior. This serves as the foundation for rational choice theory, which in turn has led us to power theory. One may argue that the pursuit of power maintains the never ending cycle of political: conflict; compromise; alliances; and wars. Transparency – 1 America has grown from the days of a colony to major power, superpower, and hegemon, to its present empire status. American power is felt throughout the international community. Playing poker requires one to adopt what is commonly known as a “poker face”. Players will hide their true emotions, even faking their true intentions to catch other players off guard. Some have even taken to wearing sunglasses. The exact opposite tactic that the United States has adopted is “Transparency”. This involves disclosing all routes the nation-state will undertake with regards to all forms of public policy pertaining to its political, economic and military strategies. Transparency – 2 Alexander Hamilton initiated this policy as the chief financial philosopher of the United States even if he did not coin the term. Hamilton is regarded as the chief architect of our economic policy, which in turn was developed in order to win the confidence of domestic US business and financial elites as well as gaining the confidence of international business. Transparency Example America possesses the most technologically advanced military hardware. This video demonstrates one of the first deployable force fields for light armored vehicles (LAVs). Welcome to the 21st Century. Trophy Early American Elites & Masses THE LAYERS ELITE DOMINATED SOCIAL, CULTURAL, ECONOMIC, & POLITICAL LIFE MIDDLE CLASS SUCCESSFUL BODY OF INDIVDUALS FARMERS GREAT MASS OF WHITE AMERICANS WHO HAD LITTLE INTEREST IN PUBLIC AFFAIRS. Elite Preferences: Inspiration For A New Constitution • • Government under the articles of confederation. Established a “Firm League Of Friendship.” Identified national government powers. Reassured each state of its: Sovereignty. Freedom. Independence. Repayment of loans made to congress. Investors who backed the American war effort had difficulty securing their loans. Without the power to tax, the future of the American government looked bleak. Articles Of Confederation Though the American Revolution was that of ideas, it was a full out war. Victorious, the thirteen colonies established and lived under the Articles of Confederation until the adoption of the Constitution of 1787. Revolutionary itself, the Articles of Confederation provided little assistance for a nation absent of leaders who possessed experience in governing the whole country. The Articles of Confederation linked the thirteen colonies in mainly defensive guarantees. Though a congress with typical authority associated with a central government was established with normal duties including the right to declare war, engage in treaties and coin money, there lacked an executive branch to enforce decisions. Congress was state directed, with each state having a single vote. Nine out of thirteen states had to agree if anything were to be passed. Elite Preferences: Inspiration For A New Constitution • Protection of bankers and creditors. State-issued paper money permitted debtors to pay off creditors with money worth less than they originally owned. • Opening western land to speculation. Need a strong central government. With enough military power to oust the British from the northwest. To protect settlers against Indian attacks. The protection and settlement. Cause land values to increase. Make land speculators rich. Elite Preferences: Inspiration For A New Constitution • Protection of shipping and manufacturing. Strong navy important to American commercial interests. Tariff barriers not adequate against foreign goods. • Ensuring the return of runaway slaves. Protection of human “property.” In 1787, slavery was lawful everywhere except in Massachusetts. Nation’s founders prepared to protect slavery. Southern economy highly dependent on slaves. • Exercising powers in world affairs. Confederation held in contempt by Britain and barbary states. Elite wanted to assume role in the international community and exercise power in world affairs. Formation Of A National Elite (1) • Annapolis Convention. Report that outlined defects in the articles of confederation. Called upon states to send delegates to new convention to suggest remedies. • George Washington's prestige. 55 men chose George Washington in the summer of 1787. Stood at the apex of American elite structure. Formation Of A National Elite (2) • • Founders’ governing experience—wealthy individuals. Wealth assumed A variety of forms: Land, ships, business inventories, slaves, credit, bonds, paper money. Founders’ “ continental” view. Cosmopolitanism distinguished the men of Philadelphia from the masses. “Continental” point of view for political, economic, & military issues. Members of the elite extended their loyalties beyond their states. Elite Consensus In 1787 • • • Goal of government is to protect liberty and property. Origin of government is implied contract among people. Elites believe in: A republican government. Limited government could not threaten liberty or property. A strong national government could: “establish justice. insure domestic tranquility. provide for the common defense. promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty.” An Elite In Operation: Conciliation And Compromise • • • • Representation Compromise: addressed representation in the national legislature. Slavery compromise –the three-fifths compromise. For tax and representation purposes: slaves counted as three-fifths of a person. Export tax compromise –between planters and merchants. Articles exported from any state should not bear tax or duty. Imports could only be taxed by the national government. Voter qualification compromise: concerned qualifications for voting and holding office. electors in states should qualify for electors of the most numerous branch of the state legislatures. women could not participate in government. The Constitution As Elitist Document (1) • • • • Elites benefited more directly and immediately than nonelites. Levying taxes. Congress given power to tariff. Regulating commerce –the interstate commerce clause & the provision in article I, section 9. Created free trade area over the thirteen states. The arrangement was beneficial for American merchants. Protecting money and property. Congress gains control over currency and credit. The Constitution As Elitist Document (2) • • • Creating the military – two purposes. Army and navy promote commercial and territorial ambitions. Protection from invasion. Protecting against revolution. Protect government from revolution with military. Protect slaveholders from slave revolt. Protecting slavery. • Congress outlawed the import of slaves after 1808. • Protect existing property and slaves. The Constitution As Elitist Document (3) • Limiting States In Business Affairs Prevents States “Impairing The Obligation Of Contracts” • Limiting States In Monetary Affairs Provided Protection To Elite • States Could Not Coin Money Issue Paper Money Make Money Other Than Gold Or Silver Coin Legal Tender In Payment Of Debt Elitism And The Structure Of The National Government • • • Structure reflects desire to protect liberty and property. Elite control government and policy decisions. National supremacy – congressional control of decisions. Republicanism – representative government. Separated powers in the national government. Bulwark against majoritarianism. Additional safeguard for elite liberty & property. Divides responsibilities. Difficult to hold government accountable for public policy. Ratification: An Exercise In Elite Political Skills • • • Ratification rules designed to give clear advantage to supporters of constitution. Special ratifying conventions called extraordinary ratification procedure. Minority of population participated in ratifying the constitution. Emergence of anti-federalist opposition. Feared a strong federal government’s control. Confidence in ability to control state government. The bill of rights an afterthought. Most effective criticism centered on the absence of bill of rights.