Introduction to Politics and Government PDF

Introduction to Politics and Government (สำหรับนิ สิตคณะรัฐศำสตร์) ศ.ดร.เอก ตั้งทรัพย์วฒ ั นำ Prof. Dr. Ake Tangsupvattana  Week 1: Basic Concepts of Politics and Political Ideology...

Introduction to Politics and Government (สำหรับนิ สิตคณะรัฐศำสตร์) ศ.ดร.เอก ตั้งทรัพย์วฒ ั นำ Prof. Dr. Ake Tangsupvattana  Week 1: Basic Concepts of Politics and Political Ideology Prof. Dr. Ake Tangsupvattana  Basic Concepts of Politics and Political Science What is Politics (politics and its meanings) Politics of everyday life (micro-politics) Politics in the level of Institution (macro- politics): public significance Prof. Dr. Ake Tangsupvattana Basic Concepts of Politics and Political Science Definition of Politics ‘the process of making government policies’ ‘the exercise of power’ ‘the authoritative allocation of value’ Prof. Dr. Ake Tangsupvattana Basic Concepts of Politics and Political Science Power = the capacity to bring intended effects, denoting the impact of one actor on another Authority = the right to rule Value = an object or situation deemed to be of intrinsic worth, something to be esteemed and sought Prof. Dr. Ake Tangsupvattana Basic Concepts of Politics and Political Science Political interest = something of value to a person or group to be gained or lost by what government does or does not do. ‘who get what, when and how’ Conclusion: Politics = the process to which power and influence are used in the promotion of certain values and interests. Prof. Dr. Ake Tangsupvattana Basic Concepts of Politics and Political Science Basic terms involving in ‘politics’ Social order = the state that human life is orderly aggregated together. Social Contract = A voluntary agreement through which an organized society or state is brought into existence Sovereignty = the national control over the country’s territory - the boss of the nation’s land. State = a political community formed by a territorial population subject to one government Prof. Dr. Ake Tangsupvattana Basic Concepts of Politics and Political Science Basic terms involving in ‘politics’ Nation = a specific people with a distinct language and culture or a major ethnic group = a distinct group of people who share a common background including any or all of the following: geographical location, history, racial or ethnic characteristics, religion, language, culture, and belief in common political ideas Nation-state = nation + state ex. when French or Chinese people each constitute a nation as well as a state → Nation-state Prof. Dr. Ake Tangsupvattana  รู ปแบบ นิยาม ตัวอย่ าง รั ฐชาติ รั ฐ ชาติซ่ งึ มีรัฐเป็ นของ ประเทศไทย (Nation-state) (State) ตนเอง สหราชอาณาจักร ซึ่ง รั ฐที่มีหลายชาติ รั ฐ รั ฐซึ่งมีมากกว่ า 1 ชาติ ประกอบด้ วยสก็อต (Multinational state) (State) แลนด์ เวล อังกฤษ และ ไอร์ แลนด์ หนื อ ชาติซ่ งึ ไม่ มีรัฐของ ชาติท่ ไี ร้ รัฐ ชาติ ตนเองและมีพลเมือง ชาวเคิร์ด (Kurds) และ (Stateless nation) (Nation) ของตนกระจัดกระจาย ปาเลสไตน์ อยู่ในที่ตงั ้ ของประเทศ อื่น ๆ แต่ ประเทศ เหล่ านั น้ กลับเป็ นถิ่น กาเนิดของตน ชาติท่ พ ี ลเมือง ผู้คนพลัดถิ่น ชาติ ของตนกระจัดกระจาย ชาวยิวและชาวจีนโพ้ น (Diaspora) (Nation) ออกไปจากถิ่นบ้ านเกิด ทะเลสมัยก่ อน ของตน Prof. Dr. Ake Tangsupvattana Basic Concepts of Politics and Political Science Government = political organisation, which proceeds political power for social order in the political community (or in the state) Govt consists of institutions responsible for making collective decisions for society More narrowly, government refers to the top political level within such institutions Prof. Dr. Ake Tangsupvattana Basic Concepts of Politics and Political Science Authority = the ability to command the obedience of society’s members/the right to rule Legitimacy = legal and psychological rights to govern with the consent of the governed: the consent of the governed Prof. Dr. Ake Tangsupvattana  RELATIONSHIP OF THE TERMS Political community is politically and orderly maintained by government. Whenever the government successfully asserts its claim to rule (or to make the rules) within a given territory, it is said to possess sovereignty. Sovereign states (รัฐเอกราช) (or the government as the state’s representative) exercise authority, meaning that they command the obedience of society’s members. Moreover, they enjoy legitimacy to the extent that their claim to rule is willingly accepted. Prof. Dr. Ake Tangsupvattana Basic Concepts of Politics and Political Science Forms of political knowledge In a democracy, men are more likely to vote than women Thailand is the most peaceful, least warlike nation in the modern history 1) Ignore 2) Accept that it is correct 3) Reject it 4) Try to assess it Prof. Dr. Ake Tangsupvattana Prof. Dr. Ake Tangsupvattana Basic Concepts of Politics and Political Science Political knowledge 1. Description (what, when, where questions) 2. Explanation (why and how questions) Political analysis is the attempt to describe (that is, to answer the what questions) and then to explain (to answer the why and how questions) regarding to politics. 3. Prescription (what should occur and what should be done - NORMATIVE) Prof. Dr. Ake Tangsupvattana Political Ideology Prof. Dr. Ake Tangsupvattana  Political Ideology Political Ideology A comprehensive set of beliefs about the political world About desirable political goals and the best ways to achieve those goals A more or less coherent set of ideas that provides a basis for organized political action (Heywood 2007: 45) [idea + practice] Prof. Dr. Ake Tangsupvattana  Political Ideology Political Ideology Political ideologies offer (Heywood 2007: 45): An account of the existing order, usually in the form of a ‘world view’ A model of a desired future, a vision of the good society Outline how political change can and should be brought about Prof. Dr. Ake Tangsupvattana  Political Ideology Political Ideology Basedon normative value judgements about: -Human nature -Individual and society -equality Prof. Dr. Ake Tangsupvattana  Political Ideology Human nature ‘Nature’ Vs ‘Nurture’: Disagreements about whether an individual’s fundamental beliefs and behaviours are determined primarily by inner needs and values with which s/he is born, or whether those beliefs values are mainly a product of her environment and experiences. Prof. Dr. Ake Tangsupvattana  Political Ideology Individual and society ‘Individual’sfreedom Vs collective good’: Disagreements about whether the highest value in society is based on individual freedom of collective good. Prof. Dr. Ake Tangsupvattana  Political Ideology Equality Equality of opportunity: every individual should be equal by law; have equal political rights; and enjoy equality of opportunity. Material equality: every individual deserves a comparable level of benefits and goods - the adding of social and economic equality to legal equality. Not believe in equality: people are basically unequal. It is neither possible nor desirable to attempt to make any kind of equality. Prof. Dr. Ake Tangsupvattana  Political Ideology Conservatism: Ideology, which wishes to conserve an elements of values that already exist. It tries to preserve certain underlying elements, which are highly valued. Hence, the tradition must be stabilised. Prof. Dr. Ake Tangsupvattana  Political Ideology Nature vs. nurture: individuals are inherently unequal in intelligence, in skills, and in status. Some individuals and groups are superior to others Nature or nurture? Prof. Dr. Ake Tangsupvattana  Political Ideology Individual vs. society: Human imperfection: pessimistic view Individual’s moral corrupt → Maintenance of order by strong state Notion of social hierarchy (society is composed of many different groups, which are unequal in power, status and material possessions) There should be no constraints on the rights of the superior groups to enjoy the benefits of their power, status and wealth Individual or society? Professor Dr. Ake Tangsupvattana  Political Ideology Equality: Inequality is a natural aspect of society. Therefore, it is foolish to seek egalitarianism. A claim for individual freedom to be unequal or a claim for social hierarchy [idea] → Let it be (do not change) [practice] Which type of equality? Prof. Dr. Ake Tangsupvattana  Political Ideology Liberalism An ideology based on a commitment to individualism, freedom, toleration and consent Individuals can satisfy their interests or achieve fulfilment Prof. Dr. Ake Tangsupvattana  Political Ideology Nature vs. Nurture Natural rights to life, liberty and property. Born to be free Rational and responsible human being Nature or nurture? Prof. Dr. Ake Tangsupvattana  Political Ideology Individual vs. society No principle justifies the limitation of individual freedom [idea] laissez-faire economy without government’s intervention [practice] Individual or society? Prof. Dr. Ake Tangsupvattana  Political Ideology Equality Equal opportunity to compete. After that, depending on individual capacity Equal opportunity, but individuals should be rewarded according to their differing level of talent or willingness to work (Heywood 2000: 60) Which type of equality? Prof. Dr. Ake Tangsupvattana  Political Ideology Socialism An ideology characterized by a belief in community, cooperation, equality and common ownership (Heywood 2007: 458) An ideology favoring collective and government ownership over individual or private ownership (Magstadt 2013: 562) Prof. Dr. Ake Tangsupvattana  Political Ideology Nature vs. Nurture: Individuals are determined by the environment, in which they live and learn It is crucial to create an environment for the collective good of all. Nature or Nurture? Prof. Dr. Ake Tangsupvattana  Political Ideology Individual and society: Most important value is the good of the society as a whole. Thus, the individual’s interests must be subordinated with the overall interests of society [idea] Government must ensure good living conditions and security against economic uncertainty [practice] Prof. Dr. Ake Tangsupvattana  Political Ideology Equality: There are huge disparities of material conditions, status and power, which cause misery and conflict in society [idea] Therefore, it is necessary for the state to use power and policies to increase the material as well as the social and political equality for all members of society [practice) Which kind of equality? Prof. Dr. Ake Tangsupvattana