Politics > Political Life in Society > Authorizing Political Solutions: CG5

Authorizing Political Solutions: CG5

ClosedThe Story So Far

By recognizing responsibility-G1 people naturally participate in the 7 arenas of social/political commitment …

… which are sustained and developed by those who feel obligated to use pressure to make a difference:

In doing political work-G2, these political players become adept at using some of the 6 instruments of pressure …

… which are sustained and developed by self-interestedly taking advantage of emerging crises:

By using crises-G3, the political organizers harness one or more of the 5 drivers of political mobilization … 

… which are sustained and developed by formally pursuing 4 sources of policy for government and society:

In commissioning inquiries-G4, government and society expect to benefit from 4 sources of policy ideas …

… which are sustained and developed by openly ensuring their adaptation and authorization to produce solutions for society …

… now read on:

What is Authority for Society About?

Formal authority is needed to commit the power and wealth of a society to shape itself and deal with other societies. This is where government comes in (see below). But, remember: our focus is politics.

Finding viable political solutions to complex problems is much harder than proposing policy-CG4. Change is hard because people differ on what they want from government for themselves &/or their group, and what they believe is needed to make a policy or choice work.

3 shapers of political solutions are leaders who determine what shall be authorized in government.

The function of authorization-CG5 is:

Diffusion of Authority

A range of suitable people must be somehow authorized as leaders. So each citizen faces a simple political choice: Closedeither become a political leader yourself, or find a way to support leaders of whose values and views you approve.

ClosedCritical Issues
  • Who gets themselves into positions where they can wield authority within society, both inside and outside government.
  • How these leaders use their position to influence the details of legislation and executive orders made for—and symbolically by—the whole society.
  • Who authorizes political leaders to handle the various governing institutions and ensure something actually happens
ClosedDoctrine of Separation of Powers

This doctrine is mentioned here to emphasize that it has little to do with politics and everything to do with good governance—which may or may not be a political issue.

ClosedWhat the doctrine affirms:

Viable societal authority calls for a properly constituted institution, called government, to be assigned necessary powers. However, separation of those powers is required to prevent excessive concentration of societal power within a single person or small group within any government.

Arrangements vary among states, but in general there is the executive to propose and execute laws, the legislature to debate and make laws, and the judiciary to judge the application of laws and protect a lone individual against over-reaching state power. These branches of government are authorized to act on behalf of society, and that remit leads them to spawn many subsidiary bodies.

The beneficial aspects of diffusing leadership, with its uncertainty about government action (power), can upset those tempted by power and lusting for control. This temptation is irresistible for many politicians …Closed and so the executive branch of government strives to inflate its own importance, accumulate as much power as possible, and diminish and devalue other sources of leadership—including knowingly weakening the legislature and the judiciary.

The public can also be tempted by the fantasy of an omnipotent leader—if only others would let that glorious wonder-worker take full control.

Society has 3 authorization systems associated with government, each of which requires leadership by individuals who are themselves authorized. These leaders are typed via their mode of authorization:

First: 

Then:

Originally posted: August-2009; Last updated: 15-Nov-2010



All posted material is part of a scientific project and should be regarded as provisional. Visitors are encouraged to think through the topics and propositions for themselves. Copyright © Warren Kinston 2009-2016.
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