POLI 100 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Bertrand Russell, Totalitarianism, Iphone 6
Document Summary
If you gain power, someone is having less. Those in power can often set the agenda, so it is important to understand how power works. Power is often equated with coercion (actions that are taken due to force- threat) Eliminates the need for constant surveillance (don"t have to worry because you want the things. Associated with elitist though and marxist critiques of capitalism (what we want isn"t actually want we want, it is what other people wants us to want) Attempt to make the ruler legitimate in the eyes of the ruled. To do this requires an understanding of the basis for authority. Traditional authority - based on traditional customs and values such as divine right of kings (if your father is a king, then your son is a king) Charismatic authority - based on the persona characteristics of the ruler, often associated with authoritarian and totalitarian societies.