Understanding States and Their Power

Questions and Answers

What is the most general statement that can be made about the autonomous power of the state?

States are only found in capitalist democracies.

States are central to our understanding of what a society is. (correct)

States are inherently despotic.

States are weak and decentralized.

What is meant by the term 'despotic power' of the state elite?

The range of actions the state elite can undertake without negotiation with civil society groups. (correct)

The power of civil society groups to influence state decisions.

The power of the state to penetrate and centrally coordinate civil society.

The power of the state to implement logistically political decisions.

What is the primary difference between despotic power and infrastructural power?

Despotic power is the power of the state elite, while infrastructural power is the power of civil society groups.

Despotic power refers to the state's ability to make decisions, while infrastructural power refers to the state's ability to implement them. (correct)

Despotic power is a characteristic of capitalist democracies, while infrastructural power is a characteristic of socialist societies.

Despotic power is more powerful, while infrastructural power is weaker.

Which of the following is NOT an element of the predominant view of the state?

A system of democratic representation. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the state's infrastructural power?

To penetrate and centrally coordinate the activities of civil society. Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between strong states and societies?

Strong states lead to territorialized and centralized societies. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of the state's autonomy in today's capitalist democracies?

The state is a mere instrument of forces within civil society. Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between the state's autonomy and its ability to penetrate civil society?

The state's autonomy is directly proportional to its ability to penetrate civil society. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the state in terms of setting rules?

Monopolistic setting of rules for protection of life and property Signup and view all the answers

What is the most important precondition of state power?

The territorial centrality of the state Signup and view all the answers

What is unique to the state in terms of power mobilization?

Territorial centralization Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of combining the necessity, multiplicity, and territorial centrality of the state?

Autonomous state power Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of Lipset's observation in 1959?

The relationship between economic development and democracy Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason why democracies may emerge as countries develop economically?

As a result of endogenous factors Signup and view all the answers

What is a key task of the state elite, according to the content?

Radiating authoritatively outwards from a central place Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of developmental states?

Collaboration between bureaucratic agencies and private sectors Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of the state that distinguishes it from other groups in civil society?

Its territorial reach Signup and view all the answers

What is a condition that leads to the formation of broad coalitions?

Perceived intense or imminent elite or social conflict Signup and view all the answers

According to Tilly's famous dictum, what is the relationship between war and the state?

War made the state, and the state made war Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the state in terms of setting rules and maintaining order?

The state sets rules for protection of life and property, and maintains internal order Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a popular sector that may receive tangible benefits from ruling elites in exchange for political support or acquiescence?

Businesses Signup and view all the answers

What is a factor that influences institutional development in a state?

Ease of access to revenue Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason why developmental states pursue interventionist policies?

To promote national economic transformation Signup and view all the answers

What is a condition that contributes to the formation of strong states?

Severe security threats Signup and view all the answers

What do elites face when they are vulnerable?

The need to simultaneously improve living standards and promote growth Signup and view all the answers

Why did Lee and Singapore court MNCs?

To gain access to technology, know-how, and markets Signup and view all the answers

What was the result of Singapore's unconventional approach?

Success and growth Signup and view all the answers

Who formulated an industrialization program for Singapore?

Albert Winsemius Signup and view all the answers

What were the two preconditions for Singapore's success, according to Winsemius?

Getting rid of Communists and embracing Western ties Signup and view all the answers

Why is Singapore's middle class reticent about democracy, according to Lam?

They are skeptical of democracy due to past experiences Signup and view all the answers

What was the content of the crash program recommended by Winsemius?

Reducing unemployment and attracting foreign investment Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of Raffles' statue, according to Winsemius?

It represented Western influence and ties Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for the collective leadership feature in China's political system?

To prevent the emergence of a single dominant leader Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between the Communist Party and the military in China?

The Party has absolute leadership over the military Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the National People's Congress in China's political system?

To serve as a rubber stamp for Party decisions Signup and view all the answers

Why is the Politburo Standing Committee the most powerful decision-making body in China?

Because it makes decisions collectively, without a single dominant leader Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of Deng Xiaoping's death in 1997?

It resulted in the collective leadership feature in China's political system Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary responsibility of each member of the Politburo Standing Committee?

To manage a specific portfolio Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between the Communist Party and the state government in China?

The Party exercises absolute leadership over the state government Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of China's 1982 state constitution?

It described the National People's Congress as the highest organ of state power Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

States and their Power

States are crucial to understanding societies, with strong states leading to territorialized and centralized societies.
Four main elements of the state:
- Differentiated set of institutions and personnel embodying centrality
- Monopoly of authoritative binding rule-making
- Monopoly of the means of physical violence
- Territorially demarcated area
Two senses of state power:
- Despotic power: range of actions undertaken by the state elite without negotiation with civil society
- Infrastructural power: capacity of the state to penetrate and centrally coordinate civil society activities

Origins of Autonomous State Power

Necessity of the state: societies require rules, especially for life and property protection
Multiplicity of state functions: internal order, military defense, communications infrastructure, economic redistribution
Territorial centrality of the state: institutional, territorial, and centralized nature
State power mobilization: necessary for social development and unique to the state

Democracy and Development

Lipset's observation: democracy is related to economic development
Two reasons for the relationship:
- Endogenous: democracies emerge as countries develop economically
- Exogenous: democracies are established independently of economic development but survive in developed countries

Developmental States

Organizational complexes: expert and coherent bureaucratic agencies collaborate with private sectors to spur national economic transformation
Pursued interventionist policies: combined export promotion with industrial deepening
Political origins: systemic vulnerability, coalitional commitments, scarce resource endowments, and severe security threats

Singapore's Development

Rejected conventional wisdom and courted multinational corporations (MNCs) for technology and expertise
Winsemius team recommended industrialization program: crash program to reduce unemployment and attract foreign investment
Preconditions for success: rid of Communists and maintain ties with the West

China's Political System

Collective leadership: seven-member Politburo Standing Committee, each with a rank and primary responsibility for a portfolio
Designed to guard against excesses of a single leader and emergence of a figure like Mikhail Gorbachev
People's Liberation Army (PLA): armed wing of the Communist Party, with the Party exercising absolute leadership over the military
National People's Congress (NPC): unicameral legislature, but weakened by the Communist Party's insistence on serving as a rubber stamp for Party decisions

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Description

Learn about the importance of states in shaping societies, the four main elements of a state, and the two senses of state power. Explore the role of institutions, rule-making, and territory in state formation.