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Chapter 4--P. 68-76 Civil Society, Interest Group Systems, and the Media

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Part 1: What is Civil Society? The student will be able to identify the three/four factors that establish civil society.

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A Civil Society Is A society in which people are involved in social and political interactions free of state control or regulation Access to free communication and information Global civil society associated with interconnectedness

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Ia. Social and Political Interactions These interactions include: Community groups, voluntary associations, religious groups Ability to directly participate in the government Can happen in person or online etc. These interactions teach us: Political Skills and Cooperative Relations The political process is as important as the results.

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Ib. Free of State Control or Regulation Limited regulations of association, assembly, petition. Groups outside of organized government institutions: Like legislative bodies Political parties Groups are not coerced into articulation or non-articulation of beliefs. This can help individuals better articulate their political ideals and can be more clear or precise than an election.

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II. Access to free communication and information Must be able to consume ideas from the mass media Newsprint Television, etc. Access to the internet Connectedness to the global civil society Interdependence drives articulation because your audience goes beyond your own borders Is it really empowering? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uk8x3V- sUgU&feature=results_main&playnext=1&list=PLE0CDA262ADBA78 D0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uk8x3V- sUgU&feature=results_main&playnext=1&list=PLE0CDA262ADBA78 D0

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III. Global Civil Society Associated with Interconnectedness This is discussed above with the internet idea We are focusing on the transition to a global community where we focus on interest articulation not only within our own borders, but abroad as well. US Consumers on Chinese Labor Violations http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oKZFFCAHCI

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Section II: Interest Group Systems The student will compare and contrast pluralist systems, neo- corporatist systems, and controlled systems.

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Interest Group Systems Relationship between interest groups and government policymaking institutions is important feature of political process Three major groupings: Pluralist Democratic Corporatist Controlled

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Pluralist Interest Group Systems Multiple groups represent single interest Labor, business, professional interests Sub labor groups, sub professional organizations etc. Group membership is voluntary, limited Often due to competition Often have loose or decentralized organizational structure Clear separation between interest groups and the government

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The Best Example of Pluralism: US Think of our discussions of interest groups in the US from last semester. Multiple Groups Conflicting Interests Separate from Policy Making sphere, but can influence the Outcomes This model is often seen as the most democratic

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Democratic Neo-Corporatist Interest Group Systems Single peak association represents each interest i.e. an industrial group, one major business group Membership is often compulsory and universal Centrally organized and directs actions of members Unlike in a pluralist system where unions are combative with each other Groups are systematically involved in making, implementing policy They take part in negotiations, they are at the table while legislation happen Germany is an excellent model of this system. Formal Memberships on government commissions, access to policymaking entities

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Mexico: A Great Example! Groups are tied to the political parties Thus, interests are more represented when their party is in power However, Mexico is in transition If they transition to a more democratic system, then their groups might separate themselves from their parties so they can be influential regardless of who is in power

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Successes with this model Better negotiations between government and industry. Better at implementing environmental policy. Better at sustaining employment. Why do we believe these claims are true or false?

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Controlled Interest Group Systems Single group for each social sector Membership is often compulsory Each group is hierarchically organized Groups are controlled by government to mobilize support for government policy

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The Best Explanation Control. These unions are created and compulsory so the government can force acceptance to policy. Best Examples Former communist nations I.E. 90% of Chinese citizens are in a union Unions are subordinated to the party Interest articulation is only for the leaders of the groups. (Which tend to be higher-ups in the party anyway)

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China: A Case Study http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIVqEvsbgig

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Before we move on Look at your groups or lack of groups you found in your research during your reading, meet with your country partners. Which system does your country fall into? If I categorized your country, why is my description accurate or inaccurate? Does your country meet the qualifications of being a civil society?

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Section 3: Access to the Influential The student will identify which channels of political access are the most successful in influencing public policy.

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Access to the Influential Interest groups must reach key policymakers through channels of political access Legitimate, constitutional channels of access Illegitimate, coercive channels of access Copyright 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Legitimate Access Channels Personal Connections: effective means of shaping attitudes and conveying messages Mass Media: mobilize support Political Parties: represent interests Legislatures: lobby target Government Bureaucracies: policymaking authority

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Coercive Access Channels and Tactics Feelings of relative deprivation motivate people to act aggressively Frustration, discontent, anger yields greater probability of collective violence Riots (spontaneous) Strikes/Obstructions (coordinated) Political Terror Tactics (assassination, armed attacks, mass bloodshed) More likely to have negative consequences

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The Politics of Terror Is terrorism a political act, or do we just politicize acts of terrorism? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=az7yl-UnsQQ Do two things as you watch this video: 1. Be able to answer the above question. 2. Can you identify any other coercive political acts that are covered in the clip?

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Groups and Channels To understand policy formulation, need to know which groups articulate interests, their policy preferences, channels of influence used

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Section 4: Interest Group Development The student will identify the factors that allow interest groups to develop in nations. The student will identify conditions for the progression of interest groups in their country.

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Interest Group Development Diversity of interest groups is a consequence of modernization Successful democratic development leads to emergence of complex interest group systems Not an automatic process - many problems involved: Level of trust shared among members of society Authoritarian parties/bureaucracies may suppress autonomous interest groups Bias within interest group system Levels of participation in associational groups declining Change in how citizens organize, express interests