Blog Discussion Group Three
Blog post due at 11:55pm on Sep. 18 and comment due at 11:55pm on Sep. 21.
Nondemocratic Rule
1. What are some of the essential differences between democracies and authoritarian regimes?
2. What are authoritarian leaders mainly concerned in their political rule?
Political Culture
3. Do you agree with Huntington that today’s world is increasingly characterized by a “clash of civilizations”?
4. How does political culture differ from political ideology?
Nondemocratic Rule
1. What are some of the essential differences between democracies and authoritarian regimes?
2. What are authoritarian leaders mainly concerned in their political rule?
Political Culture
3. Do you agree with Huntington that today’s world is increasingly characterized by a “clash of civilizations”?
4. How does political culture differ from political ideology?
4. Political culture is different from political ideology because it runs in order. It is a way people can think about how the political side and economic side should be ran and operated. Political ideology is more of a belief. It is the idea on beliefs of political values and the role that the government has. My though is political culture is more important and helpful to the people. It is something that can be ran throughout and people will have a better understanding. The people know what to make out of it and know what it is about. In political culture, people share their beliefs and values with concerns to the relationship of being citizens to the government and throughout one another.
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DeleteWilliam, you have made some good points here, but I was confused about what you meant by running in order. Which are you saying is first? For me, I believe our political culture is inherited, a pass down from generation to generation and formed during the creation of our country. Our forefathers held ideals like liberty, freedom of religion and the right to protest/free speech as guiding principles. This set the tone of our political culture that our nation still holds. Conversely, our political ideology is more dynamic – a good example of this is the buzzwords being tossed around lately…the so-called blue wave/red wave. As time marches on, people shift from democrat to republican and back and forth across the spectrum. Heck, even “The Donald” used to be a Democrat – this just goes to show that why political culture is ingrained into the roots of our society and political ideology is more fluid, as we all try to find where we fit into the political spectrum. What are your thoughts on this?
Delete4. Political culture varies from political ideology in that a political culture is a set of beliefs, norms, and behaviors in which a government and its people take place in as their way of communicating whereas political ideology is an opinionated way of thinking about governments and their citizens in general in regards to political values and the role of a government. Political culture is more specific to an individual government and its people as their beliefs and norms may vary from a neighboring government system. Political ideology can pertain to a multitude of governments depending on what the individual or group believes. Political culture is more likely to be similar in larger groups of people and locations due to governments looking over a wide range of people and places whereas political ideology can vary from person to person, no matter the location.
ReplyDeleteAuthoritarian leaders are mainly concerned with controlling their followers through a variety of methods, some of which are passing laws that support an autocratic regime or limiting personal freedoms and thought. Although some authoritarian leaders do have advisors, often times if the advisor thinks differently than the leader they will be overridden as ultimately all control rests with the authoritarian (really an autocrat). Most of the actions of an authoritarian leader will be to secure this power indefinitely, like removing political parties or changing fundamental documents like a constitution – all of these changes will be to ensure the power ultimately resided with the leader and will stay that way indefinitely.
ReplyDeleteSome examples of historical authoritarian leaders (In my opinion) would be Italy’s Benito Mussolini or Austria’s Engelbert Dollfuss. An example of a current authoritarian leader would be Vladimir Putin. For other folks that read this, where do you stand on Donald Trump? Do you think “The Donald” prescribes to authoritarian thought?
#4
ReplyDeleteHow does political culture differ from political ideology? Although they may seem similar in the eyes of someone who isn't very knowledgable in the subject, political culture and political ideology are completely different. Political culture is based on the present government and the people making up said government. The culture is made up of the citizens opinions, attitudes, practices, beliefs, and emotions. This holds order and gives meaning to the government. Political culture also ties into the history of a governments politics including the political system and previous members. Political Ideology differs from political culture because ideology is more about ideas and theories on how to make a government work or run better. The definition of political ideology is, "a set of ethical ideals, principles, doctrines, myths/symbols of a social movement, institution, class or large group that explains how society should work" (D. McLellan). Political ideology uses different view points on politics to determine how to improve the role of the government. It takes action in indicating the goals and tactics of the state/masses.
I think you made a good point in saying that political culture also has to do with the history as looking back at the past will always impact the future of a government. Political culture can be handed down from generations before whereas political ideology can be altered regardless of time. I agree with the statement that political ideology takes action whereas political culture is more internal, as well as political ideology can be more externally focused as it is ideas that can make a change in a government. I also feel as though political ideology is more individual based rather than being a group mentality as political culture is shared beliefs by many.
Delete4. How does political culture differ from political ideology?
ReplyDeletePolitical culture and ideology are similar but completely different. Political culture pertains to the current leader and the society. The history of the government also plays a role in culture (the past leaders and the system). The political culture (opinions, ideas, attitudes, practices, beliefs of the people) gives the government a meaning , giving order. Political ideology is entirely different, made up of the ideas and theories that could potentially better the government. This uses many differing points of view on the subject to help improve the government, this action in showing the tactics/goals of the states and the people.
Political culture and ideology are yes somewhat different but they have there arguments that will make them total opposites. Political culture is more focused on who is leading at the present time and what they are going to do. They worry about what is going on in society and what needs to be done or changed to improve and help make it better. Political ideology is based on ideas being thrown in and making something about it. Yes it is to help better the government and make changes if necessary. Political ideology is set on views and how things are seen. Political culture is how citizens interact and and relate to working with what the government is doing. Great discussion and topic, explained very well.
Delete1. Some of the essential differences between democracies and authoritarian regimes are:
ReplyDeleteIn democracies the political power resides with the people. There is participation, competition and liberty for the people. There are open and fair elections of the political leaders. Freedom of speech, the press and religion are all part of democracies. They are ruled by law that apply to leaders and citizens equally.
Authoritarian regimes the power resides with one person or small group of individuals over the people. The public plays no significant role in the selecting or removing leaders from office. Authoritarian regime is forced upon its citizens without their consent. There are no free and fair elections. Rulers rule in their own interest. Authoritarian regimes do not allow freedoms of speech, press and religion and they do not follow majority rule nor protect minority rights.
One of the main economical aspects about the Authoritarian regime is they operate as a singular unit. The unit must have a leader, dictator, to take charge of all sectors of the country and view the common citizens of that state as only production numbers. For example, when there are years of mass revolt and rebellions, followed by military intervention and mass casualties, the country will see a proportional in there production as a whole. Though, when the regime is admired and trusted, with no revolts, the country experiences a boom in its gross economic output. Where as in a democratic structure, the economy may change depending the electoral candidate outcomes as that states leader.
Delete1)https://www.princeton.edu/~dixitak/home/DeAuBu04.pdf
One main way which political ideology differs from political culture in that it does not have the roots held by society in their values, beliefs, or social normalcies. A prime example of political culture is Islamic culture. Instead, political ideologies are based in a particular view of what government should be, how it should function, and amount of the citizen political support. For example, socialism was produced during the manufacturing era in counties in Europe, such as Germany and Britain. As the work wages decreased, work hours lengthened, and conditions worsened for the common individual, the people eventually gathered together and formed the ideology that they all share economic ownership. Since the government is an assembly of the people, they found that vehicle a great way for change.
ReplyDelete1) Sodaro, J. Michael et al., Comparative Politics: A Global Introduction (New York: McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., 2001), ch. 13.
Authoritarian leaders are mainly concerned with obtaining all power which is very similar to a dictatorship. Authoritarian leaders will do their best to take or limit power from all of the citizens in their country. They will change or alter constitutions in order to make their control more powerful. They will remove anything and everything that stands in between them and total power and control of society. Students from Harvard wrote an article about how President Trump meets criteria to be an authoritarian leader. They said Trump contains four big components of an authoritarian leader, "Rejecting or showing weak commitment to democratic rules, Denying the legitimacy of political opponents, Encouraging or tolerating violence, A readiness to stifle or limit civil liberties of opponents, including media(Sit)".
ReplyDeleteDalton, I think you did a good job explaining what an authoritarian is and what they do but you forgot to incorporate democracy and what its about and how its different from an authoritarian leader. Other than that your description of what an authoritarian leader does is good, I like have you compared it to a dictatorship because when I looked up the definition one example was that an authoritarian leader is one that dictates policies and procedures. I also think it was nice that you incorporated an outside source from Harvard and an example of what you think an authoritarian leader is. Overall good job minus not including democracy and how its different.
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ReplyDelete1.
Both the democratic regime and the authoritarian regime have never been run identically before in history, each time, sway a little further away or towards its core values. A democracy on one had holds many core (liberal) values including, freedom of speech, majority rule with minority rights, free competitive elections and rule by law. On the other hand we have somewhat of the opposite beliefs as a government. An authoritarian regime has one ruler or a select few leaders who control the government completely, allowing the citizens little to no say in how they are governed. These citizens do not have free speech, press, or religion and there is no questions when it come to obeying the rules of their leader. Again though, no country or nation has ever really put all of the written criteria for “democratic regime or authoritarian regime” to use at once. All governments are constantly fluctuating and morphing into new ones.
Corrie, Good description of differences between democracies and authoritarian regimes. In a democracy the power and strength of the government are given to it by the people. In an autocracy one person or group holds all the power, without the participation, or sometimes even the consent, of the people. A democracy has the constitution which states the freedoms and rights of the people. Freedom and rights in an autocracy are determined by the person or group in power. Both are very different.
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