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