Understanding Politics and Power Dynamics

• Politics involves collective decision-making through power dynamics, encompassing both the pursuit of common goals and the use of power to achieve specific ends.
• Power is a multifaceted phenomenon with sources of influence extending from the state and its government to nonstate actors.

Core Study of Political Science

• The central focus of political science remains the study of power.
• Other disciplines also analyze related phenomena.
• Political scientists maintain objectivity by considering multiple perspectives and minimizing emotional biases.
• This involves incorporating insights from diverse fields like economics, history, sociology, psychology, and philosophy.
• A key element of the discipline lies in the precise use and analysis of political terminology such as "liberal", "representation" and "politics".

Examples of subjects studied by Political Scientists

• Quantifying the costs of war.
• Devising new primary voting systems.
• Analyzing congressional member styles in dealing with constituents.
• Studying the spread of stem cell research laws.
• Linking successful governance to historical social institutions.
• Examining the roles of race, class, gender, sexual orientation, and religion in politics.
• Investigating connections between non-state entities (families, corporations) and politics.
• Studying why nations disregard warnings of military action by hostile entities.
• Exploring why democracies rarely engage in warfare with each other.

Politics Defined

• Can involve a uniform decision applying to all members of a group.
• Can include the use of power dynamics, affecting behavior or actions of another group

Examples of Political Questions

• How Hitler gained power through democratic elections.
• Why democracies avoid war with each other.
• The reasons behind workplace hierarchies where employees are required to act against a more efficient knowledge.
• History of racial segregation even in non-uniform areas like housing.
• Debates around the inclusion of gays in the military.
• Displacement of native Amazonian populations for economic progress.
• The dominance of two major political parties in the USA when other democracies have several.
• Government authority to expropriate land for public projects.
• The justification for Truman's decision to bomb Hiroshima and Nagasaki
• Public sentiment around George Floyd's murder impacting the 2020 elections.
• Debates around bathroom access for transgender individuals reflecting changing societal understandings.

Political vs Non-Political Actions

• Actions contributing to a common policy for a group are considered political.
• The political/nonpolitical categorization varies by perspective, such as in the case Ford Motor Company design decisions.
• "Company politics" and "family politics" exist within specific groups.
• Politics arise within a group when its members make a decision to be applied to everyone.
• The “boundary problem” creates a lack of clarity, and refers to how a clean distinction is drawn between political and non-political activities.

Politics as an Exercise of Power

• Politics inherently involves the exercise of power.
• Power enables an entity to influence the actions of another as desired.
• Power helps enable figures like Hitler to assume positions of power.
• Questions about politics often involve the power dynamic that one person or persons has over others.
• Politics always involves collective decisions for groups, made by those who hold more power

Types of power

• Coercion, persuasion, or creating incentives each represent different applications of power

Bases of Power

• Encompass money, affection, strength, legal status, knowledge, likability, allies, determination, and desperation

Views on power

• Steven Lukes has conceptualized "three faces of power":
  • Decision-making power involving the capacity to compel/make choices.
  • Non-decision making which suppresses decision-making by others.
  • Ideological power convinces others to act against their own interests

Analyzing Power

• Disputes about how power is utilized are a result of the difficulties of accurately measuring power.
• Floyd Hunter's study suggested that a small group of insiders governed Atlanta, Georgia.
• Robert Dahl scrutinized how power was being used, and said that different concerns had differing leading groups.
• Peter Bachrach and Morton S. Baratz argued we should investigate what issues get raised in the first place, since the public agenda determines popular policy.
• Steven Lakes notes that looking only at traditional uses of power can cause other forms of power to be missed.
• Peter Digeser suggests an elite might exert power not by suppressing proposals, but by shaping peoples wants.

Complexity of Measuring Power

• It demands identifying a population's true desires, and differing those from what they think they want.
• A direct review such as Hunter gave is a very easy assessment.
• After this review, Dahl complicated it by determining that different groups have leverage over different problems. Bachrach and Baratz said that its important to know who decides what will be put up for discussion.
• Digeser added that such decisions could be operating at an unconscious level.

Power and Choice

• One person uses some means or another, to get another person to do what they desire.
• In political outcomes, viewing the situation as a choice clarifies that the outcome was required by people of significance.

Powerful Governments & Modern Commerce

• An explanation for why strong governments grew in 15th-18th century Europe is that modern large-scale commerce and industry grew then.
• Dominant institutions were required for commerce/industry to properly function.
• The need brought them about- but not in a mystical way.
• The need for strong governments resulted in different individual use of power.
• The need for strong governments resulted in individual use of power to bring it about.
• Parliamentary government works well when prime ministers can properly control how individual members cast their vote

Reaching a Choice

• Requires the occurrence of power events.
• A "choice" perspective has 2 advantages: 1: efficient in seeing the bigger picture and 2: it emphasizes that politics address requirements.
• From a point on power perspective we easily leave out the requirements in shaping politics.

Power and Use of Power

• Politics comprises collective decisions for a group through the usage of power.
• Common policies form from 2 ways of looking at the situation, and people often emphasize the other in evaluating any political action.
• Alternative View points:

Alternative Viewpoints (1 of 2)

• View political action as discovering the optimum resolution to a mutual issue.
• Politics is therefore made up of public option where power is still part of making choices due to persuasion.

Alternative Viewpoints (2 of 2)

• Political action is a path where a population is managed/under others.
• People can be dominated by other people, such as in coercion politics.
• In numerous situations political practice can require a majority taking action for all, but a non-agree party might exist.

Presidential Election Example

• A believer in the choice view might look at a President's election result and declare that the majority of people's decisions should be followed.
• Yet if the winner of the election is only at its face a popular pick then some might be flawed in the decision, since an election is said to give popular choice.

Political Action

• Pure tyranny is rare and hard to maintain, its important that at the very least the desires of the whole group are accounted for.
• Domination is always some factor for groups. The presidential voting example accounts for both.
• We can avoid misjudging situations if we keep the two views above in high regard.
• A college's politics can show how the instructor is dominating, but also reveal common goals sought out.

Popular Opinion, Institutions, & Rational Choice

• Rational choice theory puts emphasis on free choice when determining institutions. Rational choice theory considers that voluntary choice is the most important influence on institutions.
• The need to coherently make rules is how institutions are set up.
• Political figures shape establishments for their benefits.
• The absence of "power" creates serious flaws in rational choice theory.

Individuals Facing What They Dislike have 3 Options

• Exit, voice, and loyalty. Exit refers to withdrawing protest in ways they are aware of.
• The decision that a person can make are created by institutions and the decisions they come to, but those are shaped by an individual.
• Despite facing immediate threat from governments people can make their needs known through small actions.

Political Actions & Subjectivity

• It is important we bear the two points of view in our mind when discussing political actions when one can expect to be prejudiced and to also possess strong emotion as a result.
• Until the opening up of elections in the Soviet Union it was thought among Americans as fraud.
• The element of common action can be observed.
• Before such elections numerous circles are formed that engage in campaign meetings, door-knocking, demonstrations, and dialogue
• There's an increased amount to Soviets' elections outside of what the people allow in at the given time.
• Politics is not only an interplay of choice and power, or 1 or another, such as In Iraq after the second gulf war in 2003 showed.

The U.S. Government

• Focused highly on Saddam Hussein, believing that he maintained control only by coercion
• It was believed that victorious American Troops were going to find jubilant Iraqis that were thankful.
• Intense dislike covered up for the idea that while Saddam Hussein did keep his power through the use of violence, his ability to have control had elements outside of that. -
• He gained focus form national solidarity, also benefitting large sectors, and being seen with managing order in a potentially violent area.

Political Choice

• This is why after success by America they would feel relieved over ending Saddam Hussein's grip but anger over loss of safety and presence of a foreign army.
• An attack that occurred in the U.S. on 9/11 inspired them to invade Afghanistan , after removing the Taiban it was thought the US would set up something to stay stable and independent.
• Joe Biden called for final U.S. troops to withdraw from said nation.
• Even after working to create stability among them for a generation the United States goals of democratizing the country were not fully achieved.

In Conclusion

• Bearing in mind there's always going to be something additional outside choice helps one remain keen to various potentials outside being very opinionated about such things.
• Politics contains collective choices through the use of power. Any act of Politics can see a quest for solving common things as an act by which some members push will over another group.
• Remembering that generally any points of understanding are applicable. It makes such that by retaining both sides of discussion will we avoid overly opinionated views.

Power concentration

• The use of power exists everywhere, there's little difference in intellectual strength; yet we are more susceptible to following one person who may be the same as us.
• How its understood that family should have their rules due to the nature of how un-experienced children are compared to the more strong adult figures.
• How is it that political power could have that reach coming form smaller numbers of people?
• Physical contact to control would likely not be the end point to control individuals within power.

Authority

• To allow power to center in this way comes from authority.
• If there's a general approval that authority is appropriate regarding rules will they be adhere to. It's easy to compare this situation to legitimacy.
• Power might have that range to impact specific ranges that impact others.
  • A parent knows when children bed time should because their still growing, the guardian has range over them up their age where kids grow until the adults rule has diminished.
• A authority figure likely can decide rules such as how prep work can factor or when/where support or opposition can show face as an authority general manager has.

Government & Authority

• An assembly line worker listens because they still must finish their tasks, and the supervisor lacks ability to change their private time.
• Unlike a lot of situations an administration possess' immense power impacting it as a group; there will be endless range compared to activities that authorities are said to impact.
• Most governments will keep power capped, such as how USA does in its own law to keep its people in check about religion along with speech.
• Any level of that nature comes as self-caused compared to something "normal" for any group. Many leaders around the world can impact what religion is seen, what should/can be said in the case and also impacted what a particular culture requires themselves to do.

Government's Authority

• Governmental power can exist to control certain areas, safe to mention that said topic can be spoken in all cases to manage or control others. All can decide those guidelines.
• Administration can possess enough support to provide some sense when its not something physical but just a situation such as an agreement. Authority has common practice as a way in which power takes affect, there can be use/need for it.
• Authority enables to handle daily scenarios with limited action as far as actions.

Coercion in government

• Support of coercion through the use of those in force can show authority. You cannot control a clean yard without help from authorities.
• But still you could not get physically pushed around through how well the authority is viewed compared to being controlled to be in line.

Authority Importance to Politics

• People have a tendency to assist or provide minimal input, the political side of it is the overall effect Authority is said to show in order to receive the bare minimum to be managed, and those times are where the present world is observed to be the best.
• There's actions that get called for, for an authority to have certain rules, by interpretation such actions can act to go outside normal patterns for any group, or to speed down certain avenues.
• Often it's rare to see theft existing at dangerous rates, what can be said has likely be a success is not fully from what is seen a "sprinkle" it's authority.

Governmental authority

• There's always no way that everything is either one direction or the other. From said stand point it makes sense that a good amount of a decision is impacted from what seems to get generally agreed. Every now and then can government get to points regarding problems.
• During beginning parts of 20th a lot denied authority from controlling alcoholic drinks, while much was attempted those states came instead to build their governmental support.

Government and Authority

• The success of a good governing comes with what is being done for a population and how their needs can be served. When government fails you may find some type of governance exist through a very limited group.
• As often noted: It is vital for a government to obtain large approval to not only have control, and do its task when needed. The previous text shows "what should" be occurring with a good amount of approval as to whether it can work well.

Legitimacy

• Legitimacy, similar to authority, comes as a gradient. Violence found among political action, like Afghanistan , has been a product of those whom exist, so it could be legitimized.
• So often governmental power is given from what the group sees power be given so that they can get recognized among others. Legitimacy is reached under great power for why it is considered a good idea.

Legitimacy and Results

• A government can retain said aspect via having: protection versus real assault, safeguarding international boundaries, having proud nation and economic safeguards: those mentioned will hold strong impact. When there's too many negative opinions on the work, a government can't stay for too long.

Adolf Hitler Resulted in Legitimacy

• He was well under 50% yet what helped him hold his reach came through what's followed regarding actions taken. With so many allies that opposed him. It's what Hitler provided that grew his legitimacy for a long period.

1930s German Legitimacy

• By dropping unemployment and supporting audacious thoughts he began to re-install confidence in what came alongside his actions for Germany's "Great Power". Around the 1930s not a group was brave enough to stand for something different.

1999 - Soviet Era Legitimacy

• Valdimir Putin, selected by then President in current day Russia, became someone popular during economic crisis. An appeal can be spoken for sustained life, and bringing in a growing stable for the Russia Public that long sought stability.
• A lot that was called to fall under "democratic measure". Similar to what society showed to desire for once again control.

Historical Legitimacy

• If a government has existed long, their regulations will get abided by.

• Until some other crisis exists any government could be considered respectable. Legitimacy remains in play until said alternative comes in to action.

• One should not fall short under the context historical actions have to uphold leaders with powers of authority. Leaders will have respect in the political climate, and as well it can follow to the same ethnic ties those leader share with others.

• This is especially prevalent when problems stop others in their track from achieving results-based success.

• A handful of new leaders are shown on high as their old power can be found coming from what created their power. -

• With success from what followed from military some political figures can see a growth in popularity and can hold strong.

• Authority can also stem from ties. When the government is strong and shows what they desire for power it becomes important as it allows some amount of trust.

• A lot happens because of democracy- any civilian votes can lead said individual in to authority.

Elected Government

• They are hard to be fought against as their influence allows the law to pass via how long they served. Political power passes with said influence. When they may be prejudice regarding said election, they can be civil.
• Governmental body can decide for any group through what helps it and not when power is at action. It follows an important part to view in a better context, that may even be the most vital.

Government as a State

• One aspect might've appeared off to some, mainly because of the inclusion of home and work to the range questions. It might've seemed odd to label that a part of group when its a range.
• "Corporate politics" can display power that create the same rules to bring members close. Said power creates different ranges.

Country & State

• Saying "Frank went into politics" you wouldn't understand it as the family or business. By understanding this range you begin to see the side of govt/state.
• The political word has a strong word as it makes sense to what we commonly say as "State" and "Country"- the word is best for a country due its ability to connect those that are citizens with the State.
• An area can fail to operate by how well areas become managed for state at all, a lot geographic landmass have been hard to state.

Organizing for Peace

• Countries become what it is by their ability to follow a good standing to be at peace plus fight a war as wars get placed against other states. -

• The best way some countries look to have them stabilized: maintain currency at strong levels, guarantee work, and bring the market to new heights. Its expected by those to uphold peace along with success.

• Things continue to grow to the points of where the weather can now start to fall under said group compared to what may come to be what occurs normally. Whether things work well or are going wrong they can have those same views.

• Authority has increased power and when someone refers to what politics can provide it begins to point to how politics can function for said action within an area.

• Organizations also assist here outside from whats spoken with-in the State. A company/corp has to have good power for managing as that isn't one of the easiest things others ignore.

• To keep the message a bit clear: "the more common it gets the more it gives off range in those categories".

Governmental Science

• Focus is to find those ways, and techniques that will enable to to follow- the word as it's been spoken shows an important step what it gives in its function. It has to do with areas that have been touched to what is a good step for where actions go.

• One's actions when a person is applying for a position, an individual voting, and the actions an administration can follow is based on what politics could become.

• Political work enables for what's required from an anthropologist when there is a focus, political power that it has also goes alongside to what news is released outside a company compared to being an insider.

• Has science assisted in how one needs political power could be. There's views that the political world can impact personal decisions and not fit the set rules. It is what best shows to find a way for something with-in a group that does a lot that connects together by both. -

• When its too hard to decide what will all connect it can take a better role to know how power is shared to maintain great success.

• To assist at the best a leader has is to follow something well. Said election for a leader has given some sort of well-known support.

Governing in Political Science

• By creating the correct steps it allows to enhance one's control. A general theory touches on linking specific traits, from what we can collect to those around us.
• By using reason we can follow an idea that links traits together for the world we view from those traits. It involves a message: for "What will it take to reach" said goal?
• There's factors that involve for being a power holder compared to one that's for what helps others and is not objective. Said message connects actions that show that it should be something in action based on its well being. By connecting traits we can better explain a lot through Politics.

Main Topics (Polit Theory, Politics and law)

• All for show/purpose in what an act will involve depending on what will work in the future. -
• It is vital some traits link together as you can work through that said understanding has a well balance.
• Political science in America see's fields come as an ordered section that touches on things regarding what individuals put work to.

All Fields of Power

• How power is used, to influence a group as those factors are labeled.
• A point of studies found in opinion to determine a group that's political.
• Governmental sections exist for various actions such as Congress, the presidency, the bureaucracy, some law.

State and Local Politics

• The study touches on all within that level to work closer that compared to what that nation has to do.

Comparative and International Politics

• With everything put to the side it brings back the politics found among every place but America. And also shows what parts help those situations versus what hinders when looking at politics to determine where work efforts must show their help.

Political Theory

• It assist in seeing others ideals, thoughts that touch on beliefs for political ideas.
• "The use to touch on what helps everyone: that shows where our struggles lay regarding their soul with some help.
• With the past one has had an impact by actions and choices. An underground work to reject the law in action.

Choices have been given influence

• They have a look to what goes with what's the right style of management regarding. what some may call horrific during their management from how those were forced as a unit.
• This shows often how ones goal has some that makes them who they are, the steps taken to get to it and better than most others.

Explore politics as making common decisions. Analyze scenarios requiring group policies, power's influence on group behavior, and ideological power. Understand Karl Marx's view on the ruling class and the nature of described power.