Political Science

Dr. Nerijus Maliukevičius

Vilnius University

Political ideas – The Borgias

Power and political communication – Wag the Dog

Interest groups and Lobbing – Thank You for Smoking

Ideologies – An Inconvenient Truth

International relations – Eddy Izzard’s Dress to Kill

Definition?

“Ideology – a closed system of thought, which, by claiming a monopoly of truth, refuses to tolerate opposing ideas and rival beliefs”

“Ideology as an action-oriented belief system, an interrelated set of ideas that in some way guides and inspires political action.”

“World view” – “Ideal society” – “Roadmap”

Ideas and Ideologies

Liberalism – the highest value is given to individual, his freedoms and rights.

Historic context: Fall of feudalism, birth of capitalism New class of bourgeoisie Contra: Absolutism and feudal privilegesPro: Constitutional/representative government; Laissez-fair capitalism with no State intervention.

Ideas and Ideologies

Principles: Individualism Freedom Rationalism Equality Tolerance Agreement Constitutionalism

Ideas and Ideologies

John Locke, Adam Smith, John Stuart Mill, Maynard Keynes, contemporaries.

Classical Liberalism, Social Liberalism, Contemporary Liberalism (American, German, other)

Ideas and Ideologies

Conservatism – the highest value is given to loyalty, tradition, authority, order and stability.

Historical context: Reaction to revolutionary movement of the XVIII century Old class of aristocracy and royalty Contra: ReformPro: ancien regime “Change in order to conserve”

Ideas and Ideologies

Principles: Tradition Pragmatism Imperfection of human nature Hierarchy Authority Government

Ideas and Ideologies

Edmund Burke, Joseph de Maistre, contemporaries.

Classical Conservatism, New right, Neo-conservatism

Ideas and Ideologies

Socialism – the highest value is given to social community, justice, equality.

Historical context: Reaction to the industrialization New class of workersContra: CapitalismPro: Reform/revolution Common ownership

Ideas and Ideologies

Principles: Collectivism Social equality and justice Cooperation and brotherhood Monolithic society without classes Public property

Ideas and Ideologies

Karl Marx; Friedrich Engels; Vladimir Lenin; Leon Trotsky, contemporaries.

Marxism, Communism, Social democracy, New Left

Spectrum?!

Ideas and Ideologies

Radical (goal and means) political ideologies Anarchism

Fascism

Nazism

Religious fundamentalism

Q’s

Uses and misuses of Political Ideas and Ideologies?

Intellectual influences on Political leaders.

Influences on Political thinkers: family, mentors, jail… other?

Power and politics

Questions:

1. Power, its forms and resources;

2. Legitimacy, Legality, Authority;

3. Types of legitimate authority (Max Weber);

4. Distribution of power in society: Marxism, Elitism, Pluralism.

Power, The Concept

Power is social ability to control the (political) environment, including the behaviour of other persons.

Steven Lukes: one-dimensional, two-dimensional or three-dimensional concept (decision making/result plus informal influences plus values; language; culture)

Power as Decision-making – A over B Power as Agenda setting – framing choices Power as “Thought control” – shaping needs or wants

Power, The Concept

Context of power relations!

Potential vs. real power!

Forms of Power

Coercion or hard power: military might, psychological abilities;

Authority: formal posts, social positions; Expert power: information, knowledge.

Soft power: charisma, attractiveness of culture and values;

SMART POWER!

Power resources

1. Economic;

2. Social;

3. Cultural/informational.

Cumulative effect!

Political power

1. Legal coercion;

2. Decision implementation;

3. Publicity;

4. Centrality of power;

5. Multidimensional power.

Power, Legitimacy, Legality, Authority…

Power refers to the ability to achieve certain ends.

Legitimacy is lawful and just exercise of power.

Legality is ruling based on law and procedures.

Authority refers to a claim of legitimacy, justification and right to exercise the power.