Deck 17: B: Politics and Government

Question 1

What is the difference between power and authority?

Answer 1

Power and authority are two concepts that are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings, especially in the context of social structures, political science, and organizational behavior.

Power refers to the ability or capacity to influence, control, or direct the behavior of others or the course of events. It is the potential or actual capability to sway decisions, command resources, or enforce commands. Power can be derived from various sources, such as physical strength, knowledge, social connections, or financial resources. It can be exercised through coercion, persuasion, or by possessing skills and attributes that others find valuable or desirable. Power does not necessarily require formal recognition or legitimacy; it can be exerted informally or even against the will of those who are subject to it.

Authority, on the other hand, is a specific type of power that is recognized as legitimate by those who are subject to it. It is the right granted to an individual or organization to make decisions, give orders, and enforce obedience. Authority is often granted through formal means, such as laws, social norms, or organizational hierarchies. For example, a police officer has the authority to enforce the law because society has granted that role certain powers through the legal system. Similarly, a manager has authority within an organization because the company's structure and policies confer that right.

In summary, while power is the broader concept encompassing the ability to affect outcomes or behaviors, authority is a narrower concept that refers to the legitimate right to exercise power within a defined scope. Authority is power that is recognized and accepted by others as rightful, whereas power itself can exist without such recognition or legitimacy.

Question 2

Provide a short description of the Canadian political system following the pluralist model,the power-elite model,and the Marxist political-economy model.

Answer 2

no answer

Question 3

What are the three types of authority identified by Weber?

Answer 3

The three types of authority identified by Max Weber, a German sociologist, are as follows:

1. **Traditional Authority**: This type of authority is derived from long-standing customs, habits, and social structures. The right to rule is passed down, often through heredity, and is usually tied to a belief in the sanctity of age-old rules and powers. Monarchies are a typical example of traditional authority, where kings, queens, or other nobility exercise power based on an accepted lineage and the perceived legitimacy of their rule by tradition.

2. **Charismatic Authority**: Charismatic authority arises from the personal appeal and extraordinary leadership qualities of an individual. Followers believe in the leader's vision and charisma, and thus, the leader's authority is derived from the ability to inspire and the devotion of the followers. This type of authority is often seen in revolutionary leaders, religious figures, or other individuals who can mobilize people through their personal magnetism. Charismatic authority is often seen as unstable because it can diminish over time or upon the death of the charismatic leader.

3. **Legal-Rational Authority**: This form of authority is based on a system of well-established laws and procedures, and the right to rule is vested in the offices that individuals occupy, rather than in the individuals themselves. Legal-rational authority is characteristic of modern bureaucratic governments and organizations, where authority is exercised by those elected or appointed to positions within a legal framework. This system is considered rational because it operates on a basis of rules and principles that are applied systematically and impersonally.

Weber's typology of authority is used to explain the various ways in which different societies organize leadership and maintain social order. Each type of authority has its own mechanisms for legitimacy and its own challenges in terms of stability and effectiveness.

Question 4

Outline the 4 most recent approaches to peace.Which holds the most promise of reducing the dangers of war and why?

Question 5

Identify four factors that encourage political revolution.

Question 6

What is the difference in the approaches to political freedom taken by capitalism and socialism?

Question 7

Discuss 4 societal functions of political parties with examples of each.

Question 8

Define both authoritarianism and totalitarianism.

Question 9

What are the key differences between monarchy and democracy?

Question 10

Discuss the historical reasons presented in your text for distinctive treatment of Native peoples in Canada.

Question 11

Who is and who is not likely to vote in Canada? How has Elections Canada tried to facilitate voting?

Question 12

What is terrorism? What is state terrorism?

Question 13

How would you encourage young people to vote? Outline clear and specific strategies.

Question 14

How important are young people to the political process?

Question 15

What is nuclear proliferation? Why is this a concern?

Question 16

What is the military-industrial complex?