Higher Politics SQA
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93 topics in 6 modules
☑️ Political Theory 31 topics
- Power: Different definitions
- Power: conflict view
- Power: differing interpretations of how power is distributed in society
- Power: Steven Lukes' 'three faces of power'
- Authority: as a rightful power which implies an obligation to obey
- Authority: Max Weber's three types of authority
- Legitimacy: the sense of rightfulness
- Legitimacy: the relevance of Max Weber's classifications
- Legitimacy: Ways in which it may be enabled
- Legitimacy: Impact on a political system of the loss of legitimacy
- Democracy: nature of democracy
- Democracy: different forms of democracy
- Democracy: arguments for and against direct democracy
- Democracy: arguments for and against representative democracy
- Democracy: theorists (Plato, Schumpeter, Dahl)
- Liberalism: Theorists (Locke, Mill)
- Liberalism: Key Ideas (rationalism, individualism, toleration)
- Liberalism: Key Ideas (consent, freedom, rights)
- Conservatism: Theorists (Locke, Mill)
- Conservatism: Key Ideas (human imperfection, tradition)
- Conservatism: Key Ideas (security, authority)
- Conservatism: Key Ideas (organic society, private property)
- Socialism: Theorists (Marx, Lenin)
- Socialism: Key Ideas (co-operation, collectivism, class)
- Socialism: Key Ideas (equality, common ownership)
- Nationalism: Theorists (Mazzini, Herder)
- Nationalism: Key Ideas (The nation, patriotism, identity)
- Nationalism: Key Ideas (organic community, self-determination)
- Fascism: Theorists (Mussolini, Hitler)
- Fascism: Key Ideas (irrationalism, ultra-nationalism, racialism)
- Fascism: Key Ideas (authoritarian leadership, organicism)
☑️ The UK Political System 12 topics
- Type and nature of the constitutional approach
- Origins and development of the constitutional arrangements
- Key underlying principles of the constitution
- Flexibility and adaptability of the constitution
- Position of the judiciary
- Role of the constitution in safeguarding individual rights
- Legislative branch: passage of legislation
- Legislative branch: role of committees
- Legislative branch: ability to scrutinise government
- Executive branch: distribution of power
- Executive branch: policy-making function
- Executive branch: relationship to other branches of govmt
☑️ The Scottish Political system 12 topics
- Type and nature of the constitutional approach
- Origins and development of the constitutional arrangements
- Key underlying principles of the constitution
- Flexibility and adaptability of the constitution
- Position of the judiciary
- Role of the constitution in safeguarding individual rights
- Legislative branch: passage of legislation
- Legislative branch: role of committees
- Legislative branch: ability to scrutinise government
- Executive branch: distribution of power
- Executive branch: policy-making function
- Executive branch: relationship to other branches of govmt
☑️ The US Political System 12 topics
- Type and nature of the constitutional approach
- Origins and development of the constitutional arrangements
- Key underlying principles of the constitution
- Flexibility and adaptability of the constitution
- Position of the judiciary
- Role of the constitution in safeguarding individual rights
- Legislative branch: passage of legislation
- Legislative branch: role of committees
- Legislative branch: ability to scrutinise government
- Executive branch: distribution of power
- Executive branch: policy-making function
- Executive branch: relationship to other branches of govmt
☑️ The EU Political System 12 topics
- Type and nature of the constitutional approach
- Origins and development of the constitutional arrangements
- Key underlying principles of the constitution
- Flexibility and adaptability of the constitution
- Position of the judiciary
- Role of the constitution in safeguarding individual rights
- Legislative branch: passage of legislation
- Legislative branch: role of committees
- Legislative branch: ability to scrutinise government
- Executive branch: distribution of power
- Executive branch: policy-making function
- Executive branch: relationship to other branches of govmt
☑️ Political Parties and Elections 14 topics
- Conservative: one-nation conservatism
- Conservative: Thatcherism
- Labour: democratic socialism
- Labour: new Labour
- Liberal Democrat: social liberalism
- Liberal Democrat: The Orange Book
- SNP: civic nationalism
- SNP: left-of-centre social democratic
- Elections: Traditional grassroots campaign strategies
- Elections: media strategies
- Elections: use of new technology
- Theories of voting behaviour: rational choice model
- Theories of voting behaviour: sociological model
- Theories of voting behaviour: party identification model
Higher Politics SQA Revision Content
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Higher Politics SQA - Political Theory - Power: Different definitions Content Preview
Political Theory
Power: Different definitions
Power: Different Definitions
Traditional View of Power
- The traditional view of power sees it as the ability of A to make B do something that B would not otherwise do.
- This definition depends on a direct relationship between those with power (A) and those without (B).
- This perspective involves clear, observable conflict of interest and uses methods such as sanctions or rewards.
- Critics of the traditional view argue that it does not account for more complex or subtle forms of control, and only looks at direct forms of power.
Second Dimension of Power
- The second dimension of power includes both direct and indirect forms of control.
- Proponents argue that power can be exercised not only by making people do things, but also by influencing their desires and beliefs.
- It also includes the ability of A to prevent B from having a say in decision-making processes.
- However, it has been criticised for its lack of focus on the underlying social structures that perpetuate power dynamics.
Structural View of Power
- The structural view of power argues that it exists within the social, economic or political structures, rather than being possessed by individuals or groups.
- According to this view, power is built into the system so that it naturally favours certain groups over others.
- This form of power is often less visible, working subtly to shape interests, control information and limit the scope of decision-making.
- Critics argue this view might overemphasise invisible power and ignores overt instances of coercion or domination.
Cultural View of Power
- The cultural view posits power lies not just in structure but also in shared symbols, meanings, and discourses.
- Power can be exercised through the dominance of certain ideologies, by framing how we understand and interact with the world.
- This view highlights more convincingly how biases can become normalised or 'naturalised' within societies.
- Critics of this perspective argue it might overlook the material conditions and structural instances of power.
Relational View of Power
- The relational view sees power as something that is enacted rather than possessed.
- According to this perspective, power is not a finite resource but can be created and changed in interaction between people.
- Proponents argue that power can work in empowering ways, besides aspects of domination and subordination.
- Critics argue that this definition of power can stray into the realm of the abstract, losing sight of concrete instances where power is exerted.
Question: Explain how the second dimension of power extends the traditional view of power.
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