Review Determinants of Political Choices

The approaches (Typology), the Modes (Spiral), and the Levels (Tree) have identical formal-names as shown in green in the far right-hand column. The maroon labels in the far left-hand column are closer to our everyday experiences.

An appreciation of any factor that is uniquely political depends on recognizing a dynamic duality: the Social (i.e. what is public, inclusive, common, shared) labelled [S] and the Private (i.e. what is personal, exclusive, individual) labelled [P]. These two opposing aspects are applicable at each Level.

The two poles are sharply distinct in three of the Levels (CL3, 5 & 6). In the remaining four Levels, (CL1, 2, 4 & 7) the poles are intrinsically fused.

Lines joining Centres define bi-directional Channels, which represent flows of influence between the Centres. All Centres and all Channels are necessary to fully appreciate the forces that determine political choices within a society.

No Centre affects all the others. The Centre with the most connections is CL4-Government Solutions and, interestingly, this does not connect directly to the CL1-power-struggles in society.

While the states represented by the Centres are ever-present, the Channels may be activated to a greater or lesser degree (or given more or less attention) according to the social issue under consideration.

The people are to be found in the upper three Levels where RL7-willingness appears as a defining feature. 

The powerful are to be found in the lower four Levels where RL6-purpose appears as a defining feature.

This occurs because the people do not pursue outcomes for their communities. As a mass, they prefer to pursue their own purposes in private activities. The people do, however, have values which impel them to seek to influence their communities, usually aiming for conformity, continuity and stability above all.

Those individuals who become part of the powerful do so through developing or joining powerful groups. These groups necessarily have explicit goals that are self-interested and not necessarily community-oriented. The powerful naturally strive to get changes in society that forward their goals.

Compare the links:

• 6 direct links amongst various manifestations of the people
• 7 direct links between aspects of the people and of the powerful
• 8 direct links amongst the various manifestations of the powerful

The model does not describe political processes that are participative as these would need to operate simultaneously on numerous levels:

For example, L4_B-government solution does not refer to the complicated process by which government makes a choice, but rather specifies a particular solution to a social issue.

Similarly, L6_P-personal principles does not refer to a person applying principles or persuading others, but just specifies the existence of principled persons as a genuine force in politics.

A Framework constructed using all the elements of this Tree is required to clarify how and why individuals seek to affect the public and officials, should they choose to do so. This next Framework will enable clarity about how the need for change is experienced and developed, both rationally and politically.