John Paul Tabakian, Ed.D.Political Science 1 – US Government

Winter 2019 / Fall 2019 – Power Point 1

1. Professor Introduction2. Defining Political Science3. Theory Defined4. Rational Choice Theory5. Realism Theory6. Elitism Theory & Pluralism Theory7. Information Flow & Mirror Myth8. Transitional Effects & Stabilization9. Spheres of Influence10.Interdependency Theory

Course Lecture Topics

What Is Political Science?1. Political science is a branch of the social sciences.

• Just like Sociology

2. Each branch is interested in individual and group behavior.• Fundamental difference is the foundational theory

3. Sociologists are biased towards elitism.4. Political scientists are biased towards pluralism.

• Elite theory is still utilized in contrast with pluralism

5. Political scientists examine influences of political behavior.• Result of competing interests• End result of conflict and compromise

6. Sociologists look at individual behavior.• According to elite influence in general

Role Of Theory

1. Everyone uses theory whether they know it or not.2. Many of us devise our own theories

• Through childhood socializations up to adulthood.

3. Foundation of political science• Pluralism / Rational Choice Theory

4. Think of theory as a pair of sunglasses• Filtering unwanted information• Helps us “see” the truth

Rational Choice Theory (1)

1. What Is The Primary Goal Of The Individual?• The answer may be summed up in one word: Survival.• Survival is the foundation for all action.• Individual parties make decisions based on rationality.• It Assumes individuals base all decisions on self-interest.

2. Requirements To Make A Rational Choice:• Perfect information• Balancing our emotions

3. Rational Choice In One Sentence:• “Decisions are based on self-interest…as we define our

self-interest to be.”

Rational Choice Theory (2)Who Is Acting Rationally In This Example?

We have a nun and a real-estate mogul. The nun gives up allher worldly possessions and dedicates herself to helping thosein poverty. Her justification may be great rewards in the afterlife.The real-estate mogul does not believe in an afterlife, but doesbelieve in making as much money as possible, spending it allon an overly extravagant and abusive lifestyle. Who is actingrationally? Both individuals are for they are fulfilling their self-interest…as they define their self-interest to be.

Example Of Theory: Realism

1. Human Nature Is The Predominant Factor• In a nation-state’s foreign policy.• These policies are focused upon self-interest.• The inherent motive for man is survival

2. Considered To Be A Synonym For Power Politics• Construed as pragmatic and wrought with simplicity.• Abrupt philosophy focused on the inherent evils of

mankind

Realism: “Failsafe”This clip is from the movie“Failsafe.” Walter Matthauplays the role of NationalSecurity Advisor who appliesrational choice and realisttheory to explain why strikingat the Soviet Union isnecessary to survive.

Spheres / Interest Groups – 11. Spheres and Interest Groups are

interchangeable terms.2. Spheres form when two or

individuals share a commoninterest and/or belief system.

3. Always remember that “Theenemy of my enemy is my friend.”

Sphere A Sphere B

Spheres / Interest Groups – 2

Sphere Formation

Sphere A Sphere B

Competing Spheres1. Competing Spheres of Influence

essentially check each otherwithin the political system.

2. This is essential for the protectionof minority rights especially as itpertains to majority factions.

3. Elites are those who holdpositions of power in society.

4. Our Founding Fathers consideredthe protection of minority rights asthose few individuals whoretained control over society.

Sphere A Sphere B

Competing / Checking Spheres

Interdependency Theory

• The success and/or survival of onesphere is dependent on the successand/or survival of its related sphere.– Sphere “A” depends on Sphere “B.”

Complex Interdependency – 1

• Sphere “A” depends on Sphere “B” thatdepends on Sphere “C” that depends onSphere “D”, etc., etc.

Sphere A Sphere B Sphere E Sphere F

Sphere C Sphere D Sphere G Sphere H

Complex Interdependency – 2

• If one Sphere “dies” then itsinterdependent Sphere also “dies.” Thissets off a chain reaction.

Sphere A Sphere B Sphere E Sphere F

Sphere C Sphere D Sphere G Sphere H

Sphere E Sphere F

Sphere HSphere GSphere DSphere C

Sphere A Sphere B

Spheres Of Influence 1. Competing spheres of influence

protect minority rights againstmajority factions.

2. Alliances will form among oncecompeting spheres in order to“check” another sphere orindividual elite base thatacquires too much power.

3. Individual spheres of influenceare always on the alert for oneof their peers assuming toomuch power.

Elitism

1. Elitism does not promote elite rule.2. Rules of society obstruct social progress of masses3. Elites are needed due mass ignorance and apathy.4. Elites have two main goals:

• Preserve and enhance their positions of power5. Masses are open to demagogues:

• When the economy is doing poorly• The country is fighting a war that it is losing

6. Demagogues come from far left or far right.7. Founding Fathers were against national referenda.

Elitism Summarized (1)1. Society is divided between the powerful few and the

majority weak.2. Governing few are not typical of the governed masses.

Elites are not drawn mostly from the upper classsocioeconomic section of society.

3. Non-elites have to be given the opportunity to rise up toelite positions. The masses have to believe that theprocess is continuous or revolution may occur. Barriersprevent finite elite positions from being overtaken byunqualified individuals. This is a rat and cheese scenario.

Sufficient Cheese Sufficient Cheese Lack Of Cheese

Elitism Summarized (2)4. Elites share a common belief on the basic values of the

elite. Any change of public policy will be incrementally slowrather than revolutionary.

5. Elites may base their actions either on narrow, self-servingmotives and risk undermining mass support, or they mayinitiate reforms, curb abuse, and undertake public-regarding programs to preserve the system.

6. Active elites are not typically influenced from apatheticmasses. Elites influence masses more than the massesinfluence elites.

Elitism Summarized (3)

Elitism / Information Flow (1)1. Information flows from opinion elites down to opinion

leaders who are looked to the public for information.2. News is first “created” by opinion elites and then sent to

opinion leaders to help disseminate the information.3. Those at the very top of the elite network decide what

information is deemed as necessary to offer society.4. These elites may be news makers themselves or in charge

of large media corporations.5. Opinion leaders may be thought of as journalists, news

anchors, expert pundits or even celebrities who possesslegitimacy among those in society.

Elitism – Information Flow (2)

Mirror Myth1. News media outlets “decide

what will be decided.”

2. Bias is exhibited throughoutmainstream, alternative, andnontraditional news sources.

3. The news media stress thatthey are nonbiased sincethey only reflect reality.

4. Their choice of news subjectsproves their bias.

What We Call The NewsSecuring market share isvital, for without it, the majormedia would loseadvertising revenue. It isreally our fault that themajor news networkswillfully focus on sex,violence and variousnegative pieces. Enjoy thisvideo from JibJab titled“What We Call The News.”

Pluralism & Spheres (1)

1. Pluralism insures that groups are restricted fromsingle handedly influencing public policy.

2. Cross-cutting cleavages would form, as groupsseek compromise with others to build coalitionsthat would succeed in affecting change.

3. Minorities are protected from an overwhelmingmajority.

4. Majority power-holders are essentially “checked.”• Cross-cutting cleavages balance against

overwhelming forces.

Pluralism & Spheres (2)

Pluralism Summarized (1)

1.Society is divided into numerous groups with allmaking demands on government while none of theparticipants are able to dominate all decision-making.

2.Citizens do not directly participate in decision-making, but they are able to vote for leaders tomake decisions through a process of bargaining,accommodation, and compromise.

Pluralism Summarized (2)

3. Competition among leadership groups helpsprotect individuals’ interests. Countervailingcenters of power – for example, competitionamong business leaders, labor leaders andgovernment leaders – can check one another andkeep each interest from abusing its power andoppressing the individual.

4. Individuals may not participate directly in decision-making, but they can exert influence throughactive participation in organized groups, politicalparties and elections.

Pluralism Summarized (3)

5.Leadership groups are open; new groups can formand gain access to the political system.

6.Political influence in society is unequallydistributed, but power is widely dispersed. Accessto decision making is often determined by howmuch interest people have in a particular decision.Because leadership is fluid and mobile, powerdepends on one’s interest in public affairs, skills inleadership, information about issues, knowledge ofdemocratic processes, and skill in organization andpublic relations.

Pluralism Summarized (4) 7. Multiple leadership groups operate within society.

Those who exercise power in one kind of decisiondo not necessarily exercise power in others. Nosingle elite dominates decision making in allissues.

8. Public policy does not necessarily reflect majoritypreference, but is an equilibrium of interestinteraction – competing interest group influencesare more or less balanced, and the resulting policyis therefore a reasonable approximation ofsociety’s preferences.

Elitism Versus Pluralism (1) 1. Elitism asserts that the most important division in

society is between elites and masses.2. Elitism emphasizes the importance to leaders to

maintain their position of power – Pluralismemphasizes this devotion to their group interests.

3. Elitism asserts that mass membership of organizationsrarely exercises influence on elite leadership. Thatthese organizations have no democratic processes andare controlled by leaders who operate for their ownself-interest. Pluralists offer no evidence that the giantorganizations represent the interests of their individualmembers.

Elitism Versus Pluralism (2) 4. Elitism takes into account of all power holders – private

and public. Pluralism focuses on governmental leadersand those who interact directly with them.

5. Elitism emphasizes shared characteristics of leaderson top of their interest in preserving the social diversityamong leaders, differences in backgrounds, ideologies,and viewpoints. Pluralism also argues that decisionsmade by leaders are a product of their role perception,institutional constraints, interest group pressure, publicopinion, etc. Elitism focuses on leadership consensus –Pluralism focuses on elite conflict.

Transitional Effects – 1 1. Competition produces great returns for humanity.

2. The result has been America progressing from apredominantly agricultural society to an industrial,nuclear, and information based society.

3. Innovation has led to advancements that havegreatly influenced every aspect of society.

4. Society has benefited from constantadvancements in energy harvesting, computers,communication, water purification, medicine, etc.

Transitional Effects – 2 SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

Every significant discovery has in turn greatly influenced societal norms of behavior Masses today view internet communications as a vital necessity. It is nearly impossible to operate in a complex society

without easy access to the web. The majority of masses did not have this belief thirty years ago. Only

society determining that the internet allowed for greater efficiency was it adopted as a societal norm.

Those not willing to adapt became obsolete.

Stabilization1. Sudden instability is the greatest threat to humanity.

• It threatens to cause irreparable harm to the individual.

2. Elimination of one’s sustenance throws the individual into astate of war, because their survival is now threatened.

3. Nation-states consist of multiple spheres of interest in turnconsisting of individual units consisting of people.

4. Survival is the primary goal of man and nation-states.• The primary concern is that of stability.• This philosophy prevented a major war for over 70 years.• Instability is the primary cause of all conflict.

Interdependent Cleavages – 11. Spheres consist of individuals

who share a common set ofinterests and/or belief systems.

2. Individual participants are theabsolute micro-level.• Family, work, school,

political parties, religion, etc.• The individual member

serves as the conduitbetween spheres.

• Various social interactionsinfluence individual behavior.

Interdependent Cleavages – 2

Elite Stages1. Elites are the true minority.

• This is true for all societies.2. Elites possess large capacities of power.3. The example shows maximum education.