ILB 109

Introduction to Politics

Chatchai Ugsornsilp
chatchai@fulbrightthai.org uchatchai@yahoo.com

Schedule of Study
June 10 June 11 June 17 June 18 June 24 June 25 Jun 29 - Jul 1 July 2 July 9 July 22 July 23 July 29 July 30 August 2 August 3-5 Introduction to Politics Pol. Ideologies Comparative Political Systems Democracy Democratic Transition Developing Countries, Quiz # 1 Midterm Examination (June 29) Political Socialization and Participation Political Leadership and Public Policy Revolution Terrorism, and War International Relations International Organization, Quiz # 2 Paper Submission (via email) Final Examination (August 3)

History of Politics

Political philosophy dates back to Socrates (469-399 B.C.)

It is often argued that Socrates believed "ideals belong in a world only the wise man can understand", making the philosopher the only type of person suitable to govern others.

What is Politics?
Politics can be seen variously as concerned with
1. 2. 3. 4. The art of compromise The exercise of authority The acquisition of power A form of devious deception

The Art of Compromise (of Possible)

A particular view of politics as a process of participating and finding agreement Politics is not just a necessary evil; it is a realistic good. Political activity is a type of moral activity; it is a free activity, and it is inventive, flexible, enjoyable, and human
(Crick 1964: 141)

Politics as Authority
Authority
Right of some person or institution (king or govt to make decisions affecting the community)

Forms
1. Rational legal Normative rules ie; constitutions, election 2. Traditional history, habit, and custom ie: hereditary monarchy 3. Charismatic personal qualities of the leader inspire the masses confidence. ie: Adolf Hitler
(Weber, 1864-1920)

Politics as Power
Power can be defined as the ability to achieve some desired effect, regardless of the opposition
(Lasswell, 1936)

Authority is one form of power Authority of the Government

Empty legal (de jure) and real power (de facto) to get what is wanted, and when it is wanted

Power
Power can flow from
Wealth Personal charisma Ideology Religion Many other sources
including the moral standing of a particular individual or group in society

Authority
Norms that are recognized and embraced by the vast majority of a societys members
Rooted in moral, spiritual, and legal codes of behavior or good conduct

Legitimacy a condition in which power is exercised through established institutions, according to rules that are freely accepted by the people as being right and proper

Legitimate Authority
(how much value people attach to their rights (vote, strike,)

Political Stability
Power

Legitimacy

Authority

Politics as Deception
Aimed at securing personal advantage position or office Micro level
Within government organizations

Macro level
Between rulers and the ruled

The State
States characteristics (Lasswell and Kaplan, 1950:181)
A clearly defined territory A legitimate government Sovereignty within its territory An existence recognized by other states in international law A persona able to make treaties and have obligations and rights independent of any actual person Perpetual Succession rulers may change but the state continues to exist Universality all those living within the jurisdiction of the state are subject to its rules

Government
Monarchy
Rule by one person

Aristocracy
Rule by enlightened few people or groups

Democracy
Rule by all the people

Forms of Government

Government and Self-Interest

The fatal deterioration of the forms of government is usually attributed to the corrupting influences of power, which may lead those holding it to act in their own interests rather than that of the community

Government and Politics

Politics Machinery of Government taking control of it, influencing its decisions, reforming it, changing those in office, and ..

Political Science
Aristotle Master Science All we do in our life, in society, the sciences and arts, will be influenced by politics; it is through politics that the totality of social existence is orchestrated

Is Political Science really a science?

Aristotle famous classification of the

constitutions of the many Greek citystates, was just as systemic and scientific as his work in the natural sciences

Max Weber the study of human

affairs should take account of reason, motives and emotions in order to afford a deeper level of understanding

Methodology
Normative Approach
Emphasize empirical research and prefer to conceptualize problems in terms of variables that can be measured assess process or institution works
with moral or legal standards

Perspective of values and interest at work in social, political, and economic arrangements In politics, values are facts
Certain values, some facts would deny High value on facts never get the truth

Methodology
Behaviorism Focuses on tasking of describing and predicting political behavior and the dynamics and outcomes of political processes Concentrate on facts develop mathematical models to explain the behavior of voters, political parties, decision makers, Example, Polls, Public Opinions,

Thai Values: Positive or Negative?

Respect Buddhism Lift up money as supreme important honor and honesty? Lift up power Lift up with status (Chao Nai) Respect those with seniority Lift up educated Dont like disagree with anyone Dont like to risk and lack patience Like to gamble (risk luck) Like fun Like to be extravagant when competing in society Like it easy easy life Forgive each other easily Like ceremonies Believe in spirit and luck Lack order and discipline Dont care for cooperate things it really doesnt belong to me To each his own look for oneself Individualistic ones own man Dont like to see others as good (or better) two tigers cant live in the same cave Love face and eyes in society Like to put things off doesnt matter, do it tomorrow Gratitude as a response to supporters parents, teachers,. Curious about others affairs

Approaches of Modern Pol.Sci.

Political Theory
Theories of political institutions, including the law, the state, systems of representation, forms of government,

Political Philosophy searches for highly generalized answers to

major questions

Political Ideology
Ideas about the way the state should be organized

Political Economy
Examines the state in the economic system

Approaches of Modern Pol.Sci.

Political Sociology
Looks more towards the social world for an understanding of politics, how political attitudes are formed and how they are influenced by those with power

Political Institutions
Lead students to the formal machinery of the state, a key site much political activity

Policy Studies
Focus on the policy-making process of government and are concerned with the analysis of power

Comparative Government
Searches for generalizations about politics derived from widespread examination of groups of countries

International Relations
States relates to each other in war and peace

A Simplified Model of the Political System

Environment I N P U T S O U T P U T S

Demand

Support

Political System

Decisions and Actions

Environment

(David Easton, 1965)

Why do we have to study politics?

Self-Interest
More aware of our dependence on the political system and better equipped to determine when to favor and when to oppose change

Public Interest
Civil Society everyday decisions and choices made by ordinary people leading ordinary lives People with similar capabilities and desires can develop quite different moral dispositions, depending on the circumstances

Human trafficking

Digital divide

ASEAN
Governance

Community

FTA

WTO

Thai education
Terrorism

Quality of Life

poverty
Global Warming

Global Workers

Mobility

Assignment Term Paper (20%)

Choose one topic you like the most in a course outline Initiate and decide your own related topic Not less than 8-page paper (not included index, references, and photos) Times New Roman, 12 size, single-spaced between lines Submitted via email to chatchai@fulbrightthai.org and uchatchai@yahoo.com on Tuesday, August 2, 2011 (no later than midnight)

Guidelines for a Term Paper

Introduction Why you pick up this topic? What is your interest? Content Facts of the case or topic you choose Evaluation and Criticism Other sources related to this topic Your evaluation and criticism of this topic supported by some researches or references Conclusion Dont forget to write your name and student ID number on a paper

Example of a Term Paper

How does Chinese Government successfully use the political ideology of Communism? I choose this topic because I always amaze how Chinese government use this ideology to administrate the country of billion people to believe in the same idea. I would like to explore and reveal the process, methods, and other related information to answer my hypothesis. I will present some facts of Communism; theory and practice, ideas, etc. In order to Other sources related to Communism, political scholars or philosophers mentioned about Communism, or critics. In conclusion, I found out that there are four reasons why Chinese government can successfully use Communism applied to its people and strengthen Chinas politics and economic. Those reasons are. I might come up with some photos related to sample situations or activities contained in the paper.