Chapter 8:
How Individuals
Relate to the State
Authority

1.
2.
Power based on an agreement
That those in authority have the right to make
decisions/policies
That they (leaders) should be obeyed.
Legitimacy
 A belief on the part of the majority of people in a
state that the existing government or leaders should
be in power and should have authority
Sources of Legitimacy

1.
2.
3.
4.
Legitimacy by
Results
By Habit
By Historical, Religious, or Ethnic Identity
By Procedures
Democratic Citizens


1.
2.
3.
4.
Are able to participate in the choice of their
government.
Characteristics include:
Tolerance
Active Participation
Interest/Information
Varying support of the state
People and Factors that Influence
Relationships to Government
 Social Capital: connections within and between social
networks
 Political Culture: the orientation of people in a state
toward politics, and their ideas of political legitimacy
and the traditions of political practice
People and Factors that Influence
Relationships to Government


1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Political Socialization: the process of learning
the facts, assumptions & attitudes we use in
responding to politics
Agents that influence:
Childhood/Family
School
Religion
Media
Political Parties
Work