Political sociology 4007-M2PSOP

Issues:
1. Political power: different approaches and definitions. Power – authority – political pressure – political violence. Macht and Herrschaft in Max Weber’s political theory. Concept of political systems: elements, functions, inputs, outputs, principles of analysis (according D. Easton). Legitimacy of power. Three types of authority according M. Weber. Dimensions of legitimacy in D. Beetham theory. Various grounds of political legitimacy in democratic and authoritarian regimes. Political culture. Types of political culture. Tenets of development and integration of political culture. Political culture in polish society. Political socialization: functions, forms, contents.
2. Classics of elites theory: V. Pareto, G. Mosca. Deficiencies of the classic approach in elite paradigm. Circulation of elites. The Field-Higley typology of elites. Elites settlement as a precondition of democratic consolidation. Polish political elites after transition to democracy. Political leadership. The emergence of modern political leadership. Typology of political leadership. Political leadership and political culture. Well-known politicians as a example of different styles of political leadership.
3. State bureaucratic apparatus. Webers ideal type of bureaucracy. Bureaucratic disfunctions. State apparatuses, democratic institutions, and interest groups.
4. Democracy and its social roots. Paths of democratization. Types of democracy. “Third wave” of democratization and its causes. The Democratization of post-communist countries. Political communication and public opinion in democratic societies.