Cleavages and Politics, Civil Society, and Social Capital

Cleavages and Politics, Civil Society, and

Social Capital

Cleavages

Cleavages are divisions between groups within a polity

Cleavages are social, cultural, and political divisions

Usually more than one cleavage exists in a society

Social Cleavages

The social aspect of cleavages includes classes, religious groups, ethnicities, linguistic populations, castes, age cohorts, gender, and economics

Cultural Cleavages

Cultural cleavages are the identity of social groups

Sets of values and beliefs Self-consciousness Social relationships

Political Cleavages

The organization of social groups

Trade unions Interest groups Political parties When social groups are

organized for political action, they become cleavages

Civil Society

Individuals and organizations in a society which are independent of government

“Third sector” of society

Civil Society

Much of politics is affected by the extent and nature of citizen organization, independent of the state

Civil societies are known as non-governmental organizations

Examples of Civil Society

Volunteering is a form of civil society

Trade unions are also a type of civil society

Social Capital

The networks of relationships among people who live and work in a particular society, enabling that society to function effectively

Categories

Social Capital can be broken down into 3 main groups:

Bonds Bridges Linkages

Bonds

Links to people based on a sense of common identity

Family Close friends People who share our culture or

ethnicity

Bridges

Bridges- links that stretch beyond a shared sense of identity

Distant friends Colleagues Associates

Linkages

Linkages- links to people further up or lower down on the social ladder

Media

The media has immense power within the

American democracy.

The media reports the news, serves as an

intermediary between the government and the

people, helps determine which issues should be

discussed, and keeps people actively involved in

society and politics.

Just about all Americans get their news from the

media rather than from other people or other

sources.

Reporting the News

One of the main focal points of the media is to

report the news.

A majority of Americans get their current

information from the news, so the media is

essentially an indispensable part of politics.

Media coverage perceives the way the world is

viewed in the eyes of the people who get their

information from it.

A world without the media in politics is almost

unimaginable.

Examples

Media Effects

Many politicians often complain of bias in the

media, usually a liberal bias against the views of

conservative politicians in today world. They

complain that the media’s ability to decide which

stories to report often reflects its devotion.

The media also provides a public forum for debates

between political leaders. During campaigns,

opposing candidates often broadcast

advertisements and debate with each other on

television.

Effects on Politics Examples

Citizens and Representation

Citizens participate in politics in a variety of

ways. A significant form of political behavior

in most societies is political participation.

Participation takes both individual and group

forms.

Citizens gather in massive groups as a way to

show that they support a particular idea or

agenda, in hopes that they will influence the

political process.

Citizens Effects on Government

Citizens will sometimes form in strikes to show the

government that they disagree with something that

was established.

Citizens in the United States definitely take advantage

of their freedom of speech by expressing their

thoughts and beliefs publically. There is no better way

for a citizen to express their personal beliefs on a

government than to do it through the media.

Citizens may also write their Representative or Senator, or work for a candidate or political party.

Examples of Citizens Effects on Politics

Citizenship and Representation

What is a citizen?

a native or naturalized member of a state or nation who owes allegiance to its government and is entitled to its protection

How do citizens participate in government?POLITICAL PARTICIPATION Political participation is how citizens

try to influence their government. Some examples of political

participation are: Voting

Protests

Petitions

Political participation can beVoluntary

of free will: arising, acting, or resulting from somebody's own choice or decision rather than because of external pressure or force

Coerced Force or the power to use force in

gaining compliance as by government or police forced

Examples In North Korea, there are weekly

meetings celebrating the North Korean leader and his control

North Koreans that do not attend often “disappear”

Regime support Rebellion

Peaceful Protest

Continuum of Political Participation

Regime Support Citizens in North Korea being forced to support

the regime

Peaceful Protest Americans protesting a new bill

Rebellion Egypt’s overthrow of the government

Individual or Group? Participation can be either individual

or group Group participation can take form in

social movements, interest groups, political parties, etc.

What is representation? Action on behalf of a person or

group of people Government representatives

can be elected in a democracy Example: the United States is a

representative democracy

Representation comes in different formsGREAT BRITAIN

In Great Britain, the Prime Minister is the leader of the party that has the majority in the House of Commons

“First-past-the-post” principle majority vote isn’t required

Representative is chosen by plurality

proportional representation is not required either

Proportional Representation

Seats are allocated roughly in proportion to the votes received by each party

Vote more for the party than the candidate

Example: Germany

Representation comes in different formsIRAN

In Iran, the Guardian Council has power to approve or disapprove electoral candidates

Contemporary social

movements

What is a social movement? “Loosely organized but sustained campaign in support of a social goal, typically either the implementation or the prevention of a change in society's structure or values. Although social movements differ in size, they are all essentially collective. That is, they result from the more or less spontaneous coming together of people whose relationships are not defined by rules and procedures but who merely share a common outlook on society.”

A group of people coming together for a social cause in hopes of improving society. These people come together voluntarily and are a product of shared beliefs.

Antiglobalization Protecting culture, language,

way of life Against groups like the WTO,

World Bank, etc.

Civil Rights

Equality for women, equality for races/ ethnic groups, right to vote, right for legal representation, etc.

Environmental Movement

Conservation Green politics No GMO’s, pro-organic,

ban of DDT, etc.

Example: successful ban of DDT