UK00302 - Lecture Notes.doc

8/10/2019 UK00302 - Lecture Notes.doc

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THE FOUNDATIONS AND STUDY OFPOLITICS:

AN INTRODUCTION

2.1. General and specific understandings

2.1.1. What is Politics, and why Politics is important?

- Politics have existed since the beginning o h!man li e- "he word Politics # $ree% terminology polis # city-state&state- 'n other words # the organisation o h!man li e and living within a

society( an instit!tion to manage and reg!late )control??* h!manbehavio!r, i.e. government, state

- Politics # the ways h!man beings govern and are governed)+agstadt 2 /*

- Politics # the science dealing with the orm, organisation andadministration o a state, or part o one, and with the reg!lations o its relations with other states ) Oxford English Dictionary *

- 0ccording to 0ristotle ) / 3 22 45* 3 Man is a political (and social) animal

- 6!man nat!re # inclination to live in gro!ps, yet possesses

inherently negative&!nconstr!ctive characteristics, i.e.individ!alistic, greedy, sel -centred, aggressive, rebellio!s,tendency to 7!arrel&disagree.

- 5onse7!entially # propensity to trigger disagreement,tension& riction, and penchant to be involved in con licts anddisp!tes

- "hat said, )wo*man also has the proclivity to cooperate&wor%together or m!t!al interests and bene its, i.e. to realise abetter&more ideal li e )good li e* )i.e. ability to !l ill basic needs andwishes *

- 0ll types& orms o h!man relationship and activities within society #political( political activities # !ndamental part o h!man li e 3 inpractice since )wo*man live in gro!ps&societal living

- 8t!dy o Politics # a st!dy o

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i* vario!s ways to manage&govern h!man activities within asociety(

ii* vario!s ways in which )wo*men in society exercise controlover the actions o their ellows(

iii* means&methods o resolving problems&disp!tes&con licts inh!man relationship, amicably, and in a peace !l,conciliatory, and e ective manner

iv* means by which people debate and resolve the mostimportant val!es in a society )+oten and 'slam 2 9 :*

- Politics # the art o the possible ( art o living and wor%ingtogether;

- asswell 1 * ( or

* all %inds o h!man activities involving the distrib!tion o limitedgoods&val!es in society )i.e. power, s%ills, %nowledge, wealth,

@!stice, reedom and liberty, tr!th, respect*

AA Be inition o Cal!e 3 goals in li e and h!man&societalconditions that are desired )8yed 0hmad 6!ssein 2 : :*

- 8peci ic de inition&s o Politics # i* general concept encompassingall %inds o activities, instit!tions, and processes o administering&managing a political !nit )state*, i.e. power, a!thority, governmentand instit!tions concerning r!le and governance, political ideas, aswell as the role&s o the a!thority, individ!al, gro!p, society in the

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political process )namely the process o distrib!ting the limitedval!es in society by the a!thorities*

- 8!mmary 3 the term politics # neb!lo!s, s!b@ective, m!lti- aceted,m!lti-dimensional, comprises a m!ltit!de o meanings d!e to thevastness o the ield o politics

- Be inition&s o Politics commonly dwell on the 7!estions o i* Power and 0!thority )i.e. ability to ma%e decision&s, control,

orce, in l!ence, etc.& a!thority # legitimate power*ii* Drder

)str!ct!res&reg!lations&instit!tions&proced!res&practices thatshape a partic!lar political system, i.e. state, government*

iii* E!stice )involves the 7!estion o the distrib!tion o goods&val!es 3 who gets what, when, how, how m!ch, and

why*

2.1.2.

- 0 7!estion o morality # how to create an 'deal 8ociety)Per ect&Gtopian*

- Be inition o 'deal 8ociety # society that is @!st, e7!al, andpeace !l, which comprises ree and prospero!sindivid!als&members

- "he !ltimate goal o politics # to realise an 'deal 8ociety- Hssence o the political 7!estion # 1* what is the most ideal orm o

8ociety or h!man beings( 2* what is the best way&s to realise it- 0 s!b@ective 7!estion # main so!rce or philosophical 7!estion( the

role o ideology( normative val!es in politics )Why s!b@ective??*- 0 !niversal 7!estion # apparent in both Western and Hastern

political philosophy )i.e. Plato, 0ristotle, 6obbes, >oc%e, +ill,=o!ssea!, Iant, +ontes7!ie!, +arx, 6egel, JietKche, 6aye%,=awl, 0l-+awardi, 0l-


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iv* Political 8ociology L Political 5!lt!rev* 'nternational =elations

2.3. Political Thought (Political Philosophy)

2. .1. What is Political "ho!ght?

i) 'deas concerning the problem and 7!estions o political morality,namely regarding the ideal form of political rule and the scopeand nature of what the government ought to do

ii) Jormative&eval!ative&abstract 'deas on how government and people should behave

iii) 'deas concerning the types o political instit!tions that wesho!ld&o!ght to have, namely all %inds o instit!tions )i.e.government, legal, social, economic, c!lt!re, etc.* that

determine the basic str!ct!re o a society )=awl 1 1*

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ii* as a g!ideline and standard by which we can @!dge political li ein reality )c!rrent political instit!tions&system*

iii* to ma%e criticisms o existing political instit!tions and practicesiv* to provide constr!ctive s!ggestions or their re orm or

replacement

2. . . Political "ho!ght&Philosophy, Political "heory, and Political'deology 8imilarities and Bi erences

- 0ll three terms are commonly !sed to re er to di erent ways o thin%ing abo!t political ideas

- Political 'deology # relates to the belie s o a gro!p )belie system*- Political "heory # more empirical in nat!re 3 scienti ic methodology

to !nderstand political phenomena based !pon data& acts and

indings )political science*- 'nterrelated and interconnected to one another, can be !sed inter-

changeably, in a general sense( not excl!sive o each other

2.4. "he !ndamental problem&7!estions o Political"ho!ght&Philosophy

- F!estions concerning 1* $ood&'deal 8ociety )What, Why, and 6ow*2* Who gets What, When, 6ow, Why, and 6ow +!ch

- F!estions regarding what and how to develop the best, most@!st, e7!al and legitimate political system

8et o general 7!estions commonly as%ed&addressed in politicaltho!ght ) cf . 8argent 2 19-1:*

i) Human ature

a. What are the basic characteristics o h!man beings as h!manbeings?

b. What e ect does h!man nat!re have on the political system?

ii) !he origin of society and government or the statea. What is the origin o society? Why does it develop?

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b. What is the origin o government or the state? Why does itdevelop?

iii) "olitical obligation (duty# responsibility# law)a. Why do people obey the government?b. Why sho!ld people obey the government, or sho!ld they obey it at

all?c. 's disobedience ever @!sti iable?d. 's revol!tion ever @!sti iable?

iv) $aw a. What are the nat!re and !nction)s* o law?b. 8ho!ld the reg!lation o society depend on the immediate

decisions o individ!als or on sets o r!les and reg!lations thatplace limitations on all members o society, incl!ding politicalleaders - in other words, the r!le o law?

c. 8ho!ld there be sets o !ndamental laws or constit!tions thatcannot be changed by the ordinary processes o legislation?

v) %reedom and $iberty (rights & substantive and procedural)a. 0re men and women ree in any way vis' 'vis the government?b. 8ho!ld they be ree vis'a'vis the government?c. 0ss!ming that some type or types o reedom are both possible

and desirable, what sho!ld these be? 8ho!ld they be limited or !nlimited? Who places the limit?

vi) E uality a. 0re individ!als in any way nat!rally e7!al?b. 8ho!ld they be in any way e7!al?c. 0ss!ming that some type or types o e7!ality are both possible and

desirable, what sho!ld these be? 8ho!ld they be absol!te or relative? ' relative, what criteria sho!ld be !sed to establish them?

Who establishes them? Who en orces the criteria? vii) *ommunity (fraternity)a. 8ho!ld ties among individ!als composing a gro!p orm a bond

that ta%es precedence over the needs and wishes o the individ!almembers o the gro!p?

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b. ' this is desirable, how can it be enco!raged? ' this is!ndesirable, how can it be disco!raged? Who decides?

viii) "ower (authority)a. 8ho!ld any individ!als or gro!p o individ!als be able to control,

determine, or direct the actions o others?b. ' this is desirable, what orm or orms sho!ld it ta%e? 8ho!ld it be

limited or !nlimited? Who limits it and how? ix) +usticea. 't is !s!ally ass!med that @!stice is desirable, b!t what is it? 's it

individ!al or social?

b. Who decides the characteristics o @!stice? Who en orces thesecharacteristics?

x) !he end,ultimate reason of society or government a.


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- 8imilarities # dwells on the same, time immemorial and!ndamental problem o politics

- Bi erences # needs and interpretations according to change otime, and related political contexts.

TOPIC 3 DEMOCRACY

3.1 ntroduction and efinition"s

.1.1. What is Bemocracy?

- "he term democracy # $ree% words o demos )people* andratos )r!le* ( meaning r!le by the people

- =e ers to vario!s orms o r!le o the people, i.e. i* direct, ii*participatory, and iii* representative- 4asic distinction o the orms o democracy i* direct )any type& orm

o government in which political decisions are directly made by thepeople* ( ii* indirect )any type& orm o government in which politicaldecisions are made on behal o the people by representatives thatare chosen by the people themselves to represent&champion their interests in government*

- 0braham >incoln;s de inition # $overnment o the people, or thepeople, and by the people

- Dther related de initions and meaningsi* a orm o governance and practices that allow the people to

express their interests witho!t hindrances& ear or avo!r ii* a political system where people are given the political choice

to determine their r!ler&government

- Pop!lar b!KKword 3 !sed by vario!s types o political systems,incl!ding allegedly non-democratic ones i.e. BP=I

- Cario!s types o democracy, i.e. i* liberal democracy( ii* people;s

democracy( iii* g!ided democracy( iv* a la carte democracy, v* 0sian-style democracy, etc.- "hat said, are the meanings and de initions o Bemocracy

shared, ob@ective, and !niversal, or otherwise??- 4eca!se it is so pop!lar, and everyone wants to be associated with

it, there is little consens!s over the exact meaning&s o democracy(

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modern political thin%ers&philosophers di er& disagree over theessence o democratic government

- Bemocracy # highly s!b@ective-normative-eval!ative 3 i.e. what isdemocratic is good, what is not, is bad 3 ma%es the idea&meanings&de initions o democracy even more neb!lo!s&convol!ted

3.2. The *istorical +ac,ground" egacy of e'ocracy

- existed and serio!sly tho!ght abo!t by philosophers or more than2,9 years

- practiced in some ancient $ree% states 3 i.e. 0thens )tho!ghexcl!ding women, non-citiKens, slaves*

- $ree% philosophers i.e. Plato and 0ristotle 3 critical o the idea o democracy d!ring the / th cent!ry 4.5.

- Plato # democracyMa decadent orm o government, andimper ect societyMonly one notch better than tyranny( peoplem!st be properly ed!cated and made politically aware so as toenable them to recognise&@!dge what is good and bad or thecommon interests&good( lac% o ed!cation and political awareness# tendency to be manip!lated # ab!se o democracy )importanceo literacy and ed!cation o the masses*

- Plato # ability to r!le is a rare s%illMneeds both talent andextensive expertise, hence, it is as irrational to let people have asay in how they are to be governed as it wo!ld be to let passenger navigate a ship at sea

- 0ristotle # r!le based on principles o democracy not necessarilyideal )r!le o people vs r!le o law*( tendency towards tyranny o the ma@ority )0lexis de "oc7!eville*( social danger o democracy isthat @!stice will be decided by the n!merical ma@ority and will be!n@!st towards minorities( 6ence, ideal government # r!le o law,and combination o philosopher %ing and people&demos

- 19 th 5ent!ry # res!rrected by Jiccolo +achiavelli and other rep!blicans and civic h!manists in 'taly

- 1: th 5ent!ry # Eohn >ilb!rne )and other levellers * lin%ed idea o democracy to social e7!ality( Eohn >oc%e promoted democraticideals and @!sti ication or revol!tion )anti-absol!te monarchy* in his8econd "reatise )see !wo !reatises of /overnment - 1: *(emergence o the social contract theory that established the

o!ndation or modern NliberalO democracy

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- 1 th 5ent!ry # idea sharpened by the li%es o Eean Eac7!e=o!ssea! ) !he -ocial *ontract - 1 :2*, "homas Ee erson,'mman!el Iant, 4aron de +ontes7!ie! ) -pirit of the $aws - onseparation o powers*, etc. 3 led to amo!s democratic revol!tionsi.e.


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- "he general conditions or the lo!rishing o democracy -i* political e7!alityii* political reedomiii* constit!tionalism 3 separation o powers&chec%-and balancesiv* ed!cation 3 correlation between literacy rate and political

awareness # enhance democratic practicesv* political participation 3 right&responsibility to vote, participate

either directly or indirectly in governing( reedom to establishorganiKations )pro- or opposition&anti-establishment*

vi* e7!al and egalitarian society 3 air and balanced distrib!tion o wealth&properties amongst citiKens, economic&income gap #minimal

vii* political !nity )in the ace o diversity in val!es, belie s, c!lt!re

etc*viii* tolerant society 3 m!t!al respect, ability to negotiate and

compromise )give and ta%e* or harmonio!s resol!tion o societal problems&iss!es( %ey # rom within the individ!al andnot merely based on constit!tion&r!le o law

3.4. %odels of e'ocracy

- 'n general, there are several models o democracy, which incl!de -

./.1. 5lassical +odel ) cf . Eacobs 1 1:*

- holds that the best proced!re or ma%ing political decision to servethe common good # people;s vote or individ!al candidate inelections, and s!ccess !l candidates to assemble and carry o!t thepeople;s will )8ch!mpeter 1 9 29 *

- Gnderlying ass!mption # people %now best what is in the commongood or p!blic interest

- Bi erent ways how elected o icials represent the people -i* as a delegate of the people 3 convey views o constit!ents to a

general assembly&parliamentii* act independently rom constit!ents; views, b!t still within what

is perceived to be in the interest o the constit!ents

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- 5lassical model # elected reps. serve as delegates, and sho!ld nothave independence in ma%ing own @!dgment abo!t what is in thecommon good&p!blic interests

- Problems&


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./. . Pl!ralist +odel

- a democratic political system comprising vario!s interests gro!pscompeting or power witho!t one being predominant

- deemed by advocate as the best system o representativedemocracy 3 pl!ralism protects citiKens rom too m!chcentraliKation& concentration o power in too ew hands( allowsexpression o diverse interests within society

- 5ritics saidi* overriding goal o the competing elites is to stay in power, while

all other val!es are secondary 3 hence any val!e may bedeemed desirable and protected so long as it is to the politicalbene it o the competing gro!ps.

ii* Hxcl!sive in nat!re, competing gro!ps tend to cooperate tomaintain stat!s 7!o o the system, and their place within it, toavoid emergence o new gro!ps that may increase competition

or power.

././. Participatory +odel

- attempt to increase level o participation by citiKen in democraticprocess, not @!st in casting o votes, b!t to participate more directlyin in l!encing decision-ma%ing and policies that a ect daily li e

- see%s to move rom representative democracy towards direct democracy

- enco!rages greater p!blic deliberation on iss!es - related to ideao deliberative democracy

3. . Types of e'ocracy

- B!e to its neb!lo!s&complex&s!b@ective nat!re, there are manytypes& orms o democracy, which incl!de, among others -

.9.1. >iberal Bemocracy

- Beemed by some as the most ideal orm o democracy(synonymo!s with the phrase o government o the people, by thepeople, and or the people, and o the ideology o liberalism

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- 5haracteristics i* open, ree, and air )and reg!lar* elections, andright to )or not to* vote&participate( ii* r!le o the ma@ority(protection&sa eg!ard o minority rights&interests( iii* !phold o civilsociety )i.e. role o interest&press!re gro!ps, wor%ers !nions, etc*and civil rights, i.e. liberties& reedom o tho!ght, speech, press,assembly, religion, movement, reedom rom !nlaw !ldetention&detention witho!t trial, etc.( iv* separation o powers 3legislative, exec!tive, and @!diciary, and chec%s and balances( v*decentraliKed political system( vi* individ!alism 3 individ!al rightsmore important than that o the comm!nity( viii* right to holdproperty

.9.2. 8ocial Bemocracy

- extension o the logic o liberal democracyMto the realm o theprivate, where liberals deemed sho!ld not be s!b@ected todemocratic principles, i.e. economic realm )$!tmann 1 /1:*

- 'nvolves a degree o state interventionism in i* economicdecision-ma%ing o state )who gets what, when, how, how m!ch*i.e. Ieynesian economics( and ii* wel are state 3 i.e. amily matters,childcare, ed!cation, etc.

.9. . $!ided Bemocracy

.9./. "otalitarian Bemocracy

.9.9. 0 la carte Bemocracy

3. . The Principles of e'ocracy

- "he generally&near-!niversally accepted basic elements o democracy are

i* citiKen involvement in politics and decision-ma%ingii* system o representationiii* r!le o lawiv* electoral system 3 ree& air elections based on the will o the

ma@ority r!lesv* some degree o e7!ality among citiKens

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vi* ed!cation and literacy

.:.1. 5itiKen 'nvolvement

- most basic characteristic o any democratic system )de iningcharacteristic o democracy # citiKens to be involved in politicaldecision-ma%ing, either directly or thro!gh their chosenrepresentative&s*

- two approaches 1* direct democracy 3 citiKens participate personally in

deliberation and vote on iss!es( debate and vote on all laws

2* representative democracy 3 citiKens choose&elect other citiKens to represent their interests on their behal

- Birect democracy # rarely practiced in the governing o a state inthe contemporary world )only in ancient $ree% states*( however,does exist at lower levels, i.e. gro!p, class, cl!b, organisation, etc.

- =epresentative democracy # normally practiced in larger politicalentities, i.e. local government, state-level, national-level elections

- Dther orms o citiKen involvementi* active participation in political parties&interest gro!ps(ii* attending political meetings, p!blic rallies, p!blic hearingsiii* cond!cting political disc!ssions )privately& ormally*iv* meeting p!blic o icials over iss!esv* advocating or&against speci ic electoral iss!es, i.e. environment,

economic policy, etc. via petitions and re erend!ms

- 5itiKen involvement # important, ma%es citiKen more aware o iss!es&expand political horiKon( also inc!lcate sense o responsibility, belonging to a comm!nity

- "hat said, tendency or political apathy # high, i.e. poor voter t!rno!t in elections )possibly d!e to the right to not vote*

- 6owever, decisions will still be made even i one doesn;t vote,hence, is it better to get involved&vote, or otherwise??

- F!estions to ponder -

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i* Bo high levels o not voting !ndermine democracy?ii* Boes voting, participation&involvement matter?

- models o democracy i.e. Hlitist, Pl!ralist, and 5orporatist shareass!mption # democracy wor%s reasonably well with low levels o participation

- Participatory model arg!es that democracy # not wor%ing well,hence ways m!st be o!nd to increase citiKen;s level o participation

.:.2. 8ystem o =epresentation

- 'n the modern world, direct democracy # not practical& easible d!eto siKe o pop!lation, diverse interests, and complexity o iss!es

involved # near impossible to !nction e iciently )i.e. policy anddecision-ma%ing processes*

- Hstablishment o some orm o representative system # necessary

- "here are 2 main approaches to the relationship between therepresentative and his&her constit!ency

i* =epresent by trying to re lect the diverse interests o their constit!ents as precisely as possible )ta%e !p iss!es thatdirectly concern the constit!ency*

ii* =epresent by ta%ing the position that one is elected to ma%e thebest in ormed decision they can or the comm!nity&nation as awhole )ta%e !p iss!es that do not directly concern theconstit!ency, i.e. external& oreign policy iss!es*

- 'n reality, most representatives adopt both approaches, with oneta%ing priority over the other d!ring speci ic period and politicalcontext.

- 5ommon types o representative system in modern democracyi* single-seat&member constit!ency&district and m!ltiple-seat

constit!ency&district )based on simple ma@ority and irst-pass-the-post system*,

ii* Proportional =epresentation )P=* )based on pop!lar votes*

- F!estion to ponder Which type is better, airer, or more @!st? Why?

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.:. . =!le o >aw

- s!premacy o the law, everyone is e7!al be ore the law, no one isabove the law

- >on

i* law sho!ld be general 3 establishing general standard o cond!ct

ii* law sho!ld be prom!lgated and made %nown to those whomthey apply

iii* law sho!ld be prospective and not retroactive )people;s cond!ctto be g!ided only by existing laws and not !t!re laws*

iv* law sho!ld be clear v* there sho!ld be no contradictions in the lawvi* laws sho!ld not demand the impossiblevii* laws sho!ld not be re7!ently changed&amendedviii* congr!ence between o icial action and the law

)c . "en 1 :*

- however, !pholding the r!le o law # not a simple tas%i* not all laws are clearly de ined,ii* not everyone agrees on their meaning,iii* some laws con lict, or appear to con lict with other laws

)8argent 2 9/*

.:./. "he Hlectoral 8ystem

- !ndamental plat orm&mechanism or a democratic political system- cr!cial importance # consider by many as the only means o

realistic political participation or individ!als living in a large,modern, and increasingly complex society

- electoral system # ga!ge to meas!re level o democracy(democratic elections # sine ua non o good government

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- 0lso allegedly !tiliKed by so-called democratic states aslegitimiKing tool to stay in power )i.e. imbabwe, +yanmar, andsome 8H0 states, etc.* )see "aylor 1 :( >ai 2 *

- 0 democratic election m!st bei* free (ii* fair ( andiii* regular

- Bahl, +ac%enKie, etc )7 . =achagan 1 2* # standardre7!irements or a ree and air election incl!de

i* an honest, competent, non-partisan body to cond!ctelections )i.e. independent Hlection 5ommission*

ii* electoral system that does not grossly distort therepresentation a orded to the di erent parties vis-Q-vis the

votes garnerediii* right to vote or the ad!lt pop!lation )i.e. age 21 L above*iv* reg!lar and consistent elections within prescribed time

limits )i.e. every /-9 years*v* e7!al and open opport!nity to establish parties,

candidacies, and contestvi* developed systems o political parties 3 able to present

policies&what is in the p!blic interests to wo!ld be votersvii* all seats in ma@or legislative body to be openly contestedviii* reasonably air and open opport!nities or contesting

parties to campaignix* reasonably air opport!nities or media coverage o main

contenders&candidatesx* Cotes are cast reely and secretly( honestly co!nted and

reported, winning candidate to be d!ly installed in o ice!ntil term expires

xi* 'ndependent @!diciary to interpret electoral law)7 . =achagan 1 2*

- Potential distortions&problemsi* Hlection as a political toolii* Potential allacies o electoral systems # P= vers!s

simple-ma@ority& irst pass the post system in singlemember districts&constit!encies

iii* =elated electoral ab!ses # 5onstit!ency delimitation Lproblems o malapportionment and gerrymandering

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)see >ai 2 2*

.:.9. H7!ality

- an essentially contested concept o cr!cial importance in 2 th

cent!ry- a general concept 3 can be separated into 9 types

i* Political e7!alityii* H7!ality be ore the lawiii* H7!ality o opport!nityiv* Hconomic e7!alityv* 8ocial e7!ality

.:.9.1 Political H7!ality

- 5onsidered to be the most basic orm o e7!ality- generally comprising a* voting e7!ality( b* political contest&r!nning

or o ice( c* political in l!ence

a* Coting H7!ality # ideally sho!ld incl!dei* reasonable access or individ!als to voting stationsii* reedom o choice and casting o votesiii* each vote is e7!al to any other vote )same weight*

- Problems in reality #i* F!estion o citiKenship and permanent residencyii* 0ge re7!irementsiii* >oss o right to vote )i.e. criminals*iv* 0ge, gender and racial discriminationv* 5hoice o candidatevi* +alapportionment and gerrymandering

b* Political contest&r!nning or o ice- everyone with right to vote # e7!al opport!nity to be elected into

p!blic o ice- however, potential constraints # i* wealth o candidates( ii* social

constraints i.e. gender, race&ethnicity, religion, etc.

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c* Political in l!ence- e7!ality in political in l!ence among citiKens regardless o race,

religion, gender, economic class, social caste, etc. )not hindered byormal limitations*

- 'n reality, not easy to realise 3 altho!gh laws are available topromote s!ch e7!alities, in ormal limitations still pervade d!e toh!man nat!re

.:.9.2. H7!ality be ore the >aw

- 5onsidered to be amongst democracy;s clearest goals )8argent2 :1*

- all people sho!ld receive air and similar&e7!al treatment by thelegal system

- E!stice sho!ld be colo!r&race&religion&gender&stat!s blind

.:.9. . H7!ality o Dpport!nity

- re ers to e7!al ability and mobility o every individ!al to move !p or down the social ladder )social and economic hierarchy&class withinsociety*, depending on one;s capability&ies

- no arti icial barrier to prevent one rom achieving what one iscapable o , thro!gh hard wor% and e iciency )7 8argent 2 : *

- arti icial barriers # race, ethnicity, gender, religion, caste, sex!alorientation, nationality, primordial elements, etc.

- 'n reality, e7!ality or opport!nity # dependent on val!e accordedstat!s i.e. material )wealth&money&property* vs. non-material)aristocracy&religio!s position&ed!cation&etc.*

.:.9./. Hconomic e7!ality

- s!b@ective and highly contested meaning- narrow terms # every individ!al sho!ld have relatively same

income 3 no one is richer than the other )extreme*- realistically # sho!ld concern e7!ality o economic opport!nities,

i.e. employment, b!siness contracts, tender, etc. )not inanciale7!ality*

- 0ccording to 8argent )2 *, !nderlying idea # g!arantee o aminim!m level o economic sec!rity or every individ!al withinsociety( security more cr!cial than e uality

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- +ain arg!ment # extreme poverty !ndermines e ectiveparticipation in comm!nity i.e. lac% o ed!cation )middle class vspoor 3 toys, boo%s, early learning, parental g!idance, criticallearning age( etc.*

- "here are exceptions 3 b!t ma@ority # limited s!ccess insigni icantly !pgrading li e&climbing social strata

- F!estions to ponderi* Boes income& inancial ine7!ality negatively a ect e7!ality o

economic opport!nities?ii* "o what extent sho!ld s!ch ine7!ality be tolerated&allowed?iii* 6ow can income&economic gap be red!ced?

.:.9.9. 8ocial e7!ality

- also deemed as e7!ality o respect 3 a val!e most complicated toascertain

- basis o h!manity # the belie that all h!man beings are e7!al andsho!ld be given e7!al respect

- in narrow terms # e7!al opport!nity to participate in social li e, i.e. @oining a cl!b&association, visiting&!sing p!blic amenities, i.e.transport, shopping malls&shops, attending schools&!niversities,etc.

- however, social ine7!ality can deepen by selective&excl!siveparticipation in social activities, i.e. rich vs. poor and the type o schools attended, transports ta%en&!sed( sport acilities !tiliKed

- F!estion to ponderi* ' h!man beings are to be given e7!al respect @!st beca!se they

are h!man, what abo!t animals? )animal rights??*ii* 'n terms o ed!cation, sho!ld there be schools&6>'s which are

meant excl!sively or the elite st!dents, or sho!ld allschools&6>'s be classless?

3./. 0reedo'$ iberty$ and ights

- may di er speci ically in a narrow sense 3 yet, o ten !sedinterchangeably

- iberty # re ers speci ically to political and social reedom

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- =ight # speci ic legally g!aranteed reedoms )8argent 2 : *- Jo s!ch thing as absol!te reedom )i.e. reedom rom per orming

essential bodily !nctions 3 eat, sleep, etc*- Bemocratic society # sho!ld be relatively ree, open, limited control

. .1. =ights 4etween Jat!ral =ights and 5ivil =ights

- Jat!ral rights # rights that h!man beings have or sho!ld have(more pop!larly call in present time as h!man rights

- 5ivil rights # rights prescribed&ordained by government- 4oth are seldom disting!ished in contemporary world( all rights #

civil rights- =ights # minimal state, limited governmental inter erence on

certain areas o li e( i.e. tho!ght, speech, press, assembly, religion- +ost important nat!ral rights # basic h!man rights # right to sel -

preservation # right to sec!re the minim!m o basic needs tos!rvive&live in society i.e. ood, shelter, clothing.

- 0rticle 22 o the Gniversal Beclaration o 6!man =ights )1 / *adopted by Gnited Jations )GJ* de ines h!man rights as

everyone# as a member of society# has the right to social security and is entitled to reali1ation# through national effort and inaccordance with the organi1ation and resources of each -tate# of the economic# social# and cultural rights indispensable for hisdignity and the free development of his personality )GJ 5harter 1 / 7 . 8argent 2 ::*

- B!al role o government # i* restrictor o liberty&rights ( ii* protector o liberty&rights

. .2. >iberty

- 5ommonly de ined liberties )types o political and social reedom*i* the right to vote )or not*ii* reedom o tho!ghtiii* reedom o speechiv* reedom o the pressv* reedom o assemblyvi* reedom o religionvii* reedom o movementviii* reedom rom arbitrary treatment by political and legal system

)simply means that government m!st protect the citiKen rom

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government( individ!al m!st be given air treatment by thesystem*

)c . 8argent 2 : *

- more contemporarily debated )b!t not so !niversal* orms o civilliberties

i* reedom o in ormation )vs. secrets act*ii* right to die )i.e. e!thanasia*iii* right or abortion )pro-li e vs. pro-choice*iv* right to choose sex!al orientation )i.e. gay rights*v* reedom rom cr!el and !n!s!al p!nishment )i.e. capital

p!nishment, tort!re*

- 8ome 7!estions to ponder

i* 0re all, or some o these reedoms o !niversal val!e?ii* 8ho!ld all, or some o these stated reedoms be absol!te?iii* What abo!t the possible ab!ses o reedom o speech i.e.

spreading o lies, propagandas, hal -tr!ths, distortions o acts?iv* What abo!t p!blication o pornography? 8ho!ld there be

restrictions? ' yes, what abo!t c!lt!rally related arti acts? ' no,what abo!t the protection, and the rights o children and women)and men* rom related ab!ses?

v* What abo!t the danger o p!blishing materials that serve toincite p!blic instability&bring p!blic disorder??

vi* What abo!t the sensationalisation o iss!es by the press )badnews is good news*?

vii* What abo!t the in ringement o individ!al privacy by the pressi.e. paparaKKi c!lt!re, etc.

viii* 8ho!ld parades and demonstrations that may prod!ce violencebe allowed? ' not, what sho!ld be the limit?

ix* 8ho!ld tort!re and&or capital p!nishment be condoned?x* 8ho!ld detention witho!t trial be allowed?

3. . &urrent Trends

- Jo change in principles o democracy 3 only change ininterpretation

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. .1. Bemocratisation

- most dominant and widely accepted ideology in contemporaryworld

- since the all o global comm!nism 3 advent o globaliKation #spread o democracy # process o democratiKation, i.e. ormer socialist& comm!nist states, "hird World states.

- democratiKation # process o establishing -i* democratic instit!tionsii* democratic proced!resiii* democratic c!lt!re )perhaps the most important& !ndamental*

- however, democracy in most o these states # ragile, 7!estionable- 0dvocates o liberal democracy see these states # not gen!inely&

!lly democratic- BemocratiKing states all in between the contin!!m rom

a!thoritarian to democracy # a!thoritarian semi-a!thoritarian semi-democracy democracy

- 5ritics o liberal democracy # not !nambig!o!sly !niversal, basedon Western political c!lt!re, val!es, experience, and politicalcontext # hence, potentially con licting with oriental&eastern politicalc!lt!res and traditions

- 0lternative models o democracy, i.e. 0sian-style democracydebate d!ring 1 s )combination o some !niversally-accepteddemocratic val!es&principles&instit!tions&proced!res with traditionalc!lt!res& norms&val!es

- F!estion to ponderi* Boes the mere existence o democratic instit!tions and

proced!res, i.e. elections, democratic constit!tion, etc. ma%es aco!ntry&state tr!ly democratic?

ii* 0re liberal democratic val!es !niversal?iii* 0re liberal democratic val!es mainly shaped&in l!enced by

western political c!lt!res&context?iv* 0re liberal democratic val!es in con lict with traditional oriental&

eastern political c!lt!res?v* 0re traditional oriental&eastern political c!lt!res essentially

democratic or otherwise?

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. .2. 5ivil 8ociety

- generally re ers to

Mset o largely vol!ntary associations and interactionsM.that operateo!tside the ormal political system and th!s o!tside its control, inwhich people learn )to appreciate and !phold*M %ey democraticval!es

)8argent 2 /*

- healthy civil society # re7!isite to establishing democratic c!lt!reand political system

- Hxample non-governmental organiKations )J$Ds*, press!re&interests gro!ps, private enterprises

. . . $ro!p rights

- re ers to the rights o a speci ic congregation o people who sharesa common bond&identity )i.e. ethnicity&race, religion, lang!age,sex!al orientation, etc.* against prosec!tion&persec!tion, and threattowards their identity

- contemporary approaches to protecting and de ending gro!p rights

i* Multiculturalism 3 relates to the debate over ma@ority vsminority rights

ii* Diversity,Difference 3 concept recogniKing that diversityor being di erent )di erences* is important, good, andval!able( i.e. catchy slogans s!ch as Gnity in Biversity

iii* *onsociationalism 3 idea o political power sharingbetween di erent gro!ps, i.e. 0lliance&Peri%atan, Jational


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- i.e. individ!al pre erence or one law, b!t having to obey contrarylaw chosen by ma@ority( voting or losing party b!t having to obeylaws passed by s!ccess !l rival party )$oodwin 2 2*

- i.e. contradictory moral belie s o a smo%er - banning smo%ing iswrong( banning smo%ing is right i the ma@ority thin%s it right #hence moral dilemma o the policy banning smo%ing # bothsim!ltaneo!sly right and wrong

ii* the related problem o minority

- involves the dilemma o contradiction between the basicdemocratic principle o the will o the ma@ority r!les with the li%eso @!stice, and e7!ality

- i.e. minority !nli%ely to agree that ma@ority opinion is right ( neither

laws o the ma@ority are @!st and e7!al towards minority 3 hence,minority may 7!estion validity and val!e o democracy itsel

- 8ol!tion # instit!tionaliKe position o minority- 6owever, according to $oodwin, to instit!tionaliKe the position o

minorities goes against democratic e7!ality, while to leave their ca!se to the good nat!re o the ma@ority will in many cases meanthat they may s! er in@!stice or even oppression )$oodwin 2

9*

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TOPIC 4 CAPITALISM AND DEMOCRACY

4.1. ntroduction

- 5apitalism and 8ocialism # two distinct types o economic systemthat have strong relationship with idea o democracy

- "o some, 5apitalism closely related to Bemocracy, while to others,8ocialism and democracy # ideal partnership

- 4oth capitalists and socialists claim to be the most democratic inthe economic sense i.e. gen!ine&tr!e democrats

- "hese di erent gro!ps&societies, see either capitalism, or socialism& socialist # negative connotation&taboo word

- 8imply p!t # ma@or disagreement and mis!nderstanding on bothtypes o economic systems

- "hese economic systems can combine with both democratic anda!thoritarian political systems in airly rob!st manner, i.e. socialistdemocracies, totalitarian states, capitalist democracies.

4.2. &apitalis' ( e'ocratic &apitalis')

/.2.1. 'ntrod!ctory remar%s

- 5losely related and li%e liberal democracy - seen today as thedominant economic system, ollowing the all o a!thoritariansocialism&comm!nism that mar%ed the end o the 5old War ( whatscholar;s term as the liberal ho!r )4alaam L Ceseth 2 9* andend o history )

- 8pread o global capitalism and the advent o a capitalist globaleconomy - even socialist&comm!nist states li%e P=5, =!ssia, andCietnam have embraced pro-mar%et re orms and mar%etisationpolicies, while ormer Hastern bloc @oining HG;s single mar%et

/.2.2. $eneral 'deas, 0ss!mptions, and 5haracteristics

- Ieyword # 5apital )wealth&income&money&pro it*

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- 5apitalism stresses on the idea o ree mar%et, or individ!alreedom o the mar%etplace( traditionally and pop!larly called free

mar et capitalism or laisse1'faire capitalism- 4asic characteristics o *apitalism (laisse1'faire economy *i* private ownership o propertyii* no legal limitation on the acc!m!lation&amassing o

wealth&propertyiii* no )or very limited* government&state intervention in the

economyiv* pro it motive # driving orce( based on individ!al initiative(

maximiKation o pro it # minimiKe prod!ction costs R competitivepricing o prod!cts&goods&services

v* pro it as meas!re o e iciency( i.e. high pro it # e icientvi* open competition to determine who get what, when, how, how

m!ch, and whyvii* limited&no state&govt intervention&inter erence in the economy

)adapted rom 8argent 2 *

- intellect!al ather o capitalism # 0dam 8mith )1 2 -1 * 3amo!s boo% entitled !he 2ealth of ation ( others incl!de Bavid

=icardo, Eohn +aynard Ieynes,


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- 0ccording to 8mith, state has ab!sive potentials # dangero!sand !ntr!stworthy( 0rg!ment # state intervention&inter erence canlead to distortion and conse7!ently str!ct!ral de iciencies ineconomy i.e. distortion o price and s!pply

- =ole o state # minimal # create cond!cive instit!tionalenvironment )i.e. establish legal system, national de ence&sec!rity,print&coin money, etc* that acilitates& osters individ!al action ineconomic realm

- "wo-pronged and complementary parts o invisible hand #i* sel -interest 3 drives individ!als to ma%e decisions that best

serve their personal interest, needs, and desiresii* competition 3 constrain and prevent sel -interest rom becoming

destr!ctive to other;s interest- 5ompetition is positive'sum rather than 1ero'sum

- 8imilar prescription or international economic activities, i.e.international trade, inance, investment # ree trade )anti-protectionism*, limited reg!lations, reedom o capital movement,

oreign direct investments )


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con licts( enco!ragement or imperialism )i.e. Port!g!ese vs B!tch(B!tch vs Hnglish( 0merican vs Hnglish(

- ideas o


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- Ieynes # h!man not always rational - driven by ear, greed,animal spirit ( herd mentality

- Wall 8treet 5rash )1 2 * and $reat Bepression # exposedwea%nesses o !n ettered capitalism

- Ieynesian style o embedded liberalism changed the ace o capitalism 3 introd!ced in postwar 4retton-Woods 8ystem

- Ieynesian economics # combination o strong state and strongmar%et( state to have cr!cial macroeconomic role within nationaleconomy, while ree mar%ets to be g!ide or international economicrelations )between states* 3 became mainstream view&practice inint;l economic system called 4retton-Woods )1 /9 -1 s*

- 'nteresting act 3 Ieynesian # new-liberalism( while oldliberalism )0dam 8mith* came to be called conservatism

- 6owever, another pro o!nd shi t too% place in the early 1 s 3saw the res!rgence o traditional capitalism )more reedom, lessgovt intervention* via the wor%s o Jobel PriKe winners i.e.ai 1 *

- 5ollapse o 5omm!nism # widespread implementation o neo-conservative policies&renewed capitalism( ree trade, dereg!lationo international inancial system( driving orce o economicglobaliKation

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- 4y end o 1 s # arrival o the liberal ho!r 3 capitalism and neo-liberalism # dominant theory ollowing obsolescence o comm!nism, ail!re o socialism and Eapanese-style mercantilism(

0dvocates see

- Jotion o >iberal 'mperialism 3 possible intervention by G8 andHG in the domestic politics o illiberal states to promote liberalideals and the golden "riangle o Peace, Prosperity, andBemocracy

- 6ence, G8 intervention in 0 ghanistan and 'ra7 # in part, motivatedby notion o liberal imperialism and the rise o so-called 5hicago8chool political economic agenda )ascendancy o


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press!re co!ld trigger dangero!s bac%lash rom social systemwith very di erent norms and val!es )7 . 4alaam L Ceseth 2 9::*

- 5oncl!sion # the !niversality o capitalism and liberal democracy #s!b@ective, co!ld be both optimistic&good or pessimistic&bad

- =easons to be optimistic # global consens!s that economicdecentraliKation, and econ liberaliKation # desirable( orces o globaliKation # press!re on states to adopt liberal economic )and attimes, political* policies&instit!tions

- =easons to be pessimistic # ragility o capitalism and democracy 3intro o mar%et re orms - lead to concentration o wealth andinstability in the political o!ndations o liberaliKing states )i.e.=!ssia*( end o 5old War # res!rgence o tribal, religio!s, ethnicdi erences and con licts i.e. =wanda, 8omalia, etc. )lin%age and

bac%lash btwn democracy and nationalism??*

4.2.4. # 6eo-%ar5ist" Dependencia School &riti7ue of &apitalis'

- "raditional +arxists 3 C.'. >enin saw 5apitalism # 6ighest 8tage o 'mperialism

- Postwar promotion o liberal economic systems and ree mar%etstrategies )via Ieynesian style* # promises o economicdevelopment in >ess-Beveloped 5o!ntries ie. >atin 0merica, 0sia.

0 rica, etc.- 6owever, by 1 : s 3 Jorth-8o!th gap widened despite adoption

o liberal-capitalist system( growing awareness o exploitativerelationship between Beveloped 5o!ntries )B5* or the Jorth and>ess-Beveloped 5o!ntries )>B5* or the 8o!th

- "riggered rise o Jeo-+arxists and Dependencia -chool inexplaining the problems o development in rd World, i.e. 0ndreas$!nder B5sii* free trade system and global distrib!tion and specialisation o

prod!ction&wor% # accent!ate the dependency o >B5s to B5s

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iii* metropolis'satellite concept or core'periphery in the capitalistinternational economic order 3 the exploitation o >B5;s pro it&wealth by B5s )neo-colonialism*

iv* Development o B5s directly lin%s to the underdevelopment o >B5s

v* 5nderdevelopment will persist as long as the capitalistinternational economic system remains

- Hxploitative mechanisms to entrench Bependency, and deepenthe phenomenon o Gnderdevelopment among >B5s

i) +!ltinational 5orporations )+J5s* or "ransnational5orporations )"J5s*

ii) Gneven relationship o exchange( comparative advantagebetween B5s and >B5s tends to avo!r and bene it B5s at the

expense o the >B5s )i.e. trade imbalances and the relatediss!es o ree trade )b!t is ree trade # air trade??*

iii) $lobal inancial system )'+


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- 0part rom Dependencia 8chool, 2orld -ystem !heory by'mman!el Wallerstein provides explanation o systemic exploitativerelationship between the core, semi-periphery and periphery)see Biagram below*

4.3. ssues of 8ne9en e9elop'ent

- 8ince 1 /9 3 global economic development # rapid, enco!raging,implementation o variety o complex development policies basedon capitalist model )Ieynesian to "hatcherism&=eaganism*

- "hat said, economic gap between 2 S o the most wealthy&a l!entgro!ps and 2 S o the poorest gro!ps in the world # widened rom

1 )1 : * to : 1 )1 1*( 2 S o the world;s richest gro!pscontrolled . S o the total global income&pro it( meanwhile, 2 S

o the world;s poorest gro!ps received 1. S.- "he Jorth-8o!th dichotomy # not only inter-state, b!t intra-

state( according to 5aroline "homas, there;s a growing T8o!th; inthe TJorth; @!st as there;s a growing TJorth; in the T8o!th;

- F!estion # What ca!ses this problem?

- 0nswer # deriving rom two prevailing schools o tho!ght

i* neo'liberalism,free'mar et capitalism - blames it on the ail!re o government to allow the invisible hand

)mar%et orces* to dictate and stim!late economic development andgrowth )excessive state intervention*( distortion o mar%et orces

- policy prescription # minimal state&dereg!lation and privatiKation Rpromotion o ree trade system ) laisse1 faire *

- perspective advocated by contemporary global economicinstit!tions )i.e. W4, '+


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i* Pro it maximiKation goal # tendency to oc!s on mar%etable&pro itable prod!cts( incl!ding the commercialisation o p!blicgoods )ed!cation, wel are, healthcare, etc*

ii* 6edonism 3 tendency or individ!als to be sel -interested at theexpense o p!blic interests

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WORLD SYSTEM THEORY(Immanuel Waller !e"n#

C

B

CORE (A)

A = CoreB = Semi-PeripheryC = Periphery Bilateral eco !relatio "hip (tra#e a #i $e"tme t)

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TOPIC $ FEMINISM

.1. 6T : 8&T :6

- 0n ideology with core positions and variants- 0lso an international movement that transcends traditional social,

political L economic barriers i.e. national, class, racial, gender, etc.- +ain concern # abo!t the oppression o women by men( and the

need to replace what has been commonly perceived to be asystem o male dominance # patriarchy o!nd to a ect all socialinstit!tions

- Gltimate goal # to promote gender e7!ality # to create awarenessin both men and women regarding the need to recognise related

social restrictions )on women*, and act to red!ce and mostcr!cially, eliminate s!ch restrictions- 0lso a orm o identity politics, i.e. sel vs. other ( to create

awareness regarding the marginaliKation&exploitation o the other(and the need to re-embrace the marginaliKed

- Dther # not excl!sively women ol% b!t all marginaliKed gro!pswithin mainstream society i.e. children, disabled person, old ol%s,>4$"'F Nlesbian, bisex!al, gay, transgender, intersex)androgyny&hermaphrodite*, 7!estioningO comm!nity, etc.

- +ain constraint # women themselves o ten !naware or recogniserestrictions d!e to entrenched socio-c!lt!ral&religio!snorms&val!es&c!stoms&laws( hence, the need to promoteconscio!sness amongst women ol% be ore targeting their opposite sex

.2. +ac,ground and e9elop'ent of 0e'inis'

- Bebate since 4iblical age, i.e. 4iblical tale o $arden o Hden,0dam and Hve, and the


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- Harly pre- eminist movement since 1 th cent!ry i.e. 0bigail 0dams)G8* in her letters to h!sband Eohn 0dams )G8 President*( and+ary Wollstonecra t )Hngland* wrote the irst ma@or wor%championing women rights in 7indication of the 0ight of 2oman)1 2*

- 8!ch movement too% place almost sim!ltaneo!sly with individ!alh!man rights movement in H!rope and G8 )which was more abo!tthe right o man rather than woman* 3 hence, one can say thatWollstonecra t;s wor% was tr!ly arg!ing or h!man rights )both menand women* rather than @!st man;s rights

- 'n 1 th 5ent!ry # eminist movement began as a general movementor sex!al e7!ality )women;s legal and civil rights, incl!ding rights

to ed!cation*( dominated by a single most important iss!e #women;s s! rage )right to vote*

- 4e ore World War Dne, two most important iss!e or women;smovement # i* women;s right to vote( ii* birth control

- "he irst co!ntry in the modern world to grant women the right tovote # Jew ealand in 1 ( "he G8 gave women s! rage in 1 2

- 6owever, eminist movement slowed down a ter s!ccess ins! rage movement

- +arginaliKation, contin!ed oppression and ine7!ality in socio-economic policies bro!ght res!rgence o women;s rights movementa ter WW2

-


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i* liberal feminist # ights or gender e7!ality, and women;sempowerment and emancipation in all social spheres, i.e.excl!sion and non&!nder-representation at di erent wor%places,e7!al rights in military )see the act o protecting women romcombat as a way o %eeping them rom power*

ii* radical feminist # sees women;s s!bordination as !niversal,hence ights to change rather than to ight or e7!ality inmasc!linist&male-dominated instit!tions

iii* cultural feminist # sees women as di erent rom men, womenmore peace-oriented and n!rt!ring, embraces women;sval!es !nli%e liberal eminists( believe that s!ch val!es arere7!ired in global politics and ecology( they also believe thatwomen;s val!es are not necessarily in-born, b!t can beac7!ired, hence, men too can learn s!ch val!es i.e. n!rt!re,

peace !l )i.e. child care, health and comm!nity care*iv* Socialist feminist # explains gender ine7!ality via class

analysis, why women are responsible or reprod!ctive andamily labo!r, why women are poor, why violence against

women in wor%placev* Black and Third World feminist # acc!sed eminist movement

o ignoring race, c!lt!re, and colonial relations as actorsa ecting women, see white women as being privileged by their membership in the dominant race&c!lt!re despite beingoppressed in terms o gender

vi* Post-modern feminist # 7!estioned on di erences betweenwomen, and regarding who act!ally spea%s or women )whodominates the agenda setting in eminist movement?*

.4. ifference bet;een Se5 and Gender

- $ender # code word !sed or women- 8econd-wave eminists made a distinction between sex and

gender( sex # biological( gender # social constr!ction- Bistinction # politically important ( di erentiates between nat!ral

and biologically de ined identity with socially constr!cted identity- 4y recognising that gender is social constr!ction, this means that

560J$H is possible- 'n opposing all orms o oppression against women, the term

political itsel needs to be rede ined

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- "he amo!s maxim the personal is the political # drivingorce&slogan or eminist movement( to s!b@ect the personal or the

private to p!blic&political scr!tiny- 'n other words, a %ey eminist goal # to move what was traditionally

considered to be in the private )personal* realm to the p!blicarena )i.e. domestic violence&rape, child ab!se, etc.*

- 5an also be seen as the goal to recognise and empower thoseothers who were traditionally ignored, marginaliKed, oppressed,exploited ( very m!ch a orm o identity politics

. . Se5is' and Gender :ppression

- 8exism # sees women as in erior to men( similar to racism,ethnocentrism or any belie regarding the s!periority and

in eriority o gro!p relations- Pervasive in wide-ranging social instit!tions, rom lang!age to

literat!re, etc.- Hxamples o sexism in lang!age # history( man # h!man )i.e.

man is a political animal*, man%ind, etc.- Hxamples o sexism in c!lt!re # wi e as s!bordinate in many

traditional 0sian&oriental c!lt!res, i.e. 'ndian, Eapanese, 5hinese,etc )

- Hxamples o sexism in politics - alleged insensitive comments bymale +Ps abo!t women +Ps in +alaysian parliament not so longago. i.e. ceiling lea%age( emale driver slow and oblivio!s onroad( women divorcees as gatal( blame on women;s dressing or rise o sex!al crimes, wanita p!t!s haid , it is unusual forwomens issues to be touched (raised) by menBut women aresupposed to be touched by men.

- $ender Dppression # physical and mental mistreatment o women)and men*

- Physical oppression # rape, sex!al ab!se, assa!lt, spo!sal ab!se

and domestic violence, etc.- +ental oppression # brainwashed or socialiKed to see women ass!bordinate to men, verbally-sexist ab!ses, etc.

-


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i* 'nsensitivity to women tra!ma by police )male-dominated*ii* legal system traditionally treated women as responsible party,

i.e. clothing, behavior, etc.iii* women ta!ght to accept s!ch ab!ses as almost normal d!e to

socialisation process, incl!ding rom h!sband and companions)see 8argent 2 12:*

- 0part rom rape, sex!al harassment # common in wor%place, i.e.emotional, mental, and physical harassment

- Biscrimination at wor%place, i.e. opport!nity or speci ic @obs, andcareer advancement )see $.' Eane, etc.*

- Hxamples Bismissal rom @ob beca!se o pregnancy( non-provisiono maternity leave to either spo!se

. .


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F!estions to ponder 1* 's eminism !niversal in its val!es and ideas?2* 8ho!ld rights or abortion be legaliKed?

* 8ho!ld birth control be deno!nced?/* 's gender e7!ality possible in the military & sporting arenas?9* Bo yo! thin% ma%ing marital rape !nlaw !l is reasonable?:* What abo!t the problems o cry-wol , and date rape?

* Boes a wi e have the right to re !se sex rom her h!sband?* 8ho!ld provisions made or the emancipation o women be granted

to homosex!als&gays?* 8ho!ld married women with amily )speci ically home-ma%ers* be

paid to do ho!se chores?

TOPIC 6 ANARCHISM

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6.1. Introduction

- roots of Anarchism in classical reece! came from ree"term an and arkhe (meanin# absence of ruler$#o%ernment)! idea found in classical &hinese te'ts on

aoism, i.e. Tao te Ching- emer#ed as a modern ideolo#y sometime durin# the same

period of ar'ism- "eyword * anarchy * rule by no one, no o%erarchin#

authority! seen ne#ati%ely in contemporary era as chaos,disorder etc.

- &entral con%iction * #o%ernment$state, the law, pri%ateproperty * absolute e%ils! man * naturally #ood but

society is bad! anti-capitalism, anti-law and order- oday * forms of anarchism e'ists in e'treme left, or ri#htmo%ement, i.e. anarcho-capitalism (ri#htwin#)! anothero+shoot * libertarianism, or minimalism ( ar#ent

/0123)

2. . Principles of Anarchism

- Anarchism e'ists in a %ariety of forms, and di+erent ideas- ost interpretation based on ideas of a #roup of thin"ers,

i.e. 4rince 4yotr 5ropot"in (163 -17 1), 4ierre-8oseph4roudhon (16 7-1629), i"hail Ba"unin (1613-16:2),&ount ;eo olstoy (16 6 < 171 ), =illiam odwin (1:92-16/2), >mma oldman (1627-173 ), etc.

- 5ropot"in de?nes Anarchism as

...a principle or theory of life and conduct under which society is conceived without government

harmony in such a society being obtained, not by submission to law or by obedience to any authority,but by free agreements concluded between thevarious groups, territorial, and professional, freely constituted for the sake of production andconsumption, as also for the satisfaction of the

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in nite variety of needs and aspirations of a civilizedbeing

(@f. ar#ent /0 129)- A political philosophy holdin# that no #roup in society

should be coerce by anyone! and society must be made upof a wide %ariety of #roups, each #eared towards certainsocial functions

- Basis * freedom and liberty from bein# forced or coerce!also mean a peaceful, and free life without rules andre#ulations

- owe%er, critics * anarchism may lead to chaos- Basic assumption * power$authority e'ercised by one

person$#roup o%er another is the cause of humanscontemporary problems, tended to be abused! authority *oppression

- icholas =alters * many people say that #o%ernment isnecessary because some men cannot be trusted to loo"after themsel%es, but anarchists say that #o%ernment isharmful because no man can be trusted to loo" afteranyone else

- Anarchism focuses on the corruptin# nature of power urob) &osmopolitanismc) lobalisation

C-RR NT TR N/Si) ecession ii) ationalist conOicts iii) Frredentism i%)

postcolonialismii) >thno-reli#ious nationalism

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UK00302 - Lecture Notes.doc

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