3. “[Weber’s] definition of politics is also very
broad. [He states that it] “comprises of
any kind of independent leadership in
action.””
Weber, 1948 (cited in Nash, 2010, p.9)
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Stephanie Piredda 17474737
(Max Weber 1917, 2008)
4. “Weber’s view is that there are many sources of power, not just
the economy and that elites do not rule supreme but can be
challenged by organised groups in the political process.”
(Nash, 2010, p.11)
“Politics is a matter of competing interest groups, none of
which can dominate completely
over any of the others since all have access to resources of
different kinds.”
(Nash, 2010, p.13)
4
Stephanie Piredda 17474737
5. “Theorists of pluralism tend to see
citizens as actively involved in
politics.”
(Nash, 2010, p.13)
5
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(The Stop the War protest in
London, 2008)
6. “Pluralists suggest that the mass media are an essential part of the
democratic process because the electorate today glean most of
their knowledge of the political process from newspapers and
televisions.”
(Ownership and Control of the Media, n.d.).
6
Stephanie Piredda 17474737
(Media, 2011)
7. “On July 16th of this year, as
the hacking scandal
bloomed, News
Corporation placed full-
page advertisements in
several newspapers –
including, with some
panache, the Guardian –
headlined, “We are
sorry” and adding, “Our
business was founded on
the idea that a free and
open press should be a
positive force in society.
We need to live up to
this.””
(Lane, 2011, p.3)
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(The Guardian, 2011)
9. “... extending the market and narrowing the
sphere of public life in which citizens were
supposed to enjoy equally.”
(Nash, 2010, p.141)
9
Stephanie Piredda 17474737
(Rich and poor in the streets of London,
n.d.)
10. “Citizens receive different treatment according to
their income... [this] reduces the commitment
to “universal” citizenship rights and results in
the stigmatization of those who only have
access to inferior services.”
(Nash, 2010, p.141)
10
Stephanie Piredda 17474737
11. “Emphasis on paid employment has been accompanied
by real cuts in benefits for those without work.”
(Nash, 2010, p.142)
“The age of pensioners will rise to 70 from 2035 and
concessions will be cut.”
(Federal budget 2014: Winners and losers, 2014)
11
Stephanie Piredda 17474737
(Older worker, 2012)
12. “The Federal government’s contribution to degree costs
will decline by an average of 20 per cent from 2016 as
students take on a greater share of the cost of their
education.”
(Knott, 2014)
12
Stephanie Piredda 17474737
(Broke student, 2014)
13. “Individuals, families and groups in the population can be
said to be in poverty when they lack the resources to
obtain... living conditions and amenities that are
customary or at least widely encouraged or approved in
society.”
Peter Towsend (cited in Nash, 2010, p.143)
13
Stephanie Piredda 17474737
(Dr Bruce Rowell, 2011)
15. “Unlike violence, non-violence does
not just resist and exclude. It also
embraces and includes, thereby
opening up new possibilities to
reform.”
(Mamandi, 2011, p.566)
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Stephanie Piredda 17474737
16. “As the venues of the mass communication become more
diverse and pervasive, individual citizens become more
intellectually and politically empowered. They know
what's going on around them and they use media tools
to form communities of interest that enhance political
activism.”
(Seib, 2012, p.1)
16
Stephanie Piredda 17474737
(Facebook and Twitter logos,
2013)
17. “Boundaries are not merely physical
limits – such as boarders between
states – but rather social and cultural
limits that Internet-based and other
new media can transcend.”
(Seib, 2012, p.125-126)
17
Stephanie Piredda 17474737
Screen shot from the video
The Arab Awakening – Tweets
from Tahrir. To watch full
video follow this link
http://www.youtube.com/wat
ch?v=4yljfoq2qas
18. “” [Social media has allowed for] more opportunities to
engage in public speech, and an enhanced ability to
undertake collective action.””
Clay Shirky (cited in Seib, 2012, p.126)
“”It is amazing that we participated via the internet in
ousting him.””
Tarak Mekki (cited in Beaumont, 2011)
18
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(Social speech banner,
n.d.)
19. “The success of the Arab uprisings in 2011 was
due in part to the ability to connect.
Those who participated in one way or another
could keep abreast of what was happening not
only from conventional information sources but
also from people plugged into social networks
or various kinds.”
(Seib,2012, p.125)
19
Stephanie Piredda 17474737
20. REFERENCE LIST
Beaumont, P. (2011, February 25). The truth about twitter, facebook and the uprisings in the Arab world. The
Guardian. Retrieved from www.theguardian.com/world/2011/feb/25/twitter-facebook-uprisings-arab-libya
Corderoy, A., & Harrison, D. (2014, May 13). Federal budget 2014: Commonwealth to slash share of hospital funding.
The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved from www.smh.com.au/business/federal-budget/federal-budget-2014-
commonwealth-to-slash-share-of-hospital-funding-20140513-38862.html
Federal budget 2014: Winners and losers. (2014, May 13). The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved from
www.smh.com.au/business/federal-budget/federal-budget-2014-winners-and-losers-20140513-38802.html
Knott, M. (2014, May 13). Radical shake-up to university funding in budget will see some fees soar. The Sydney
Morning Herald. Retrieved from www.smh.com.au/business/federal-budget/radical-shakeup-to-university-
funding-in-budget-will-see-some-fees-soar-20140513-3887c.html
Lane, A. (2011, August 1). Hack work. The New Yorker. Retrieved from
www.newyorker.com/reporting/2011/08/01/110801fa_fact_lane?currentPage-1
Mamandi, M. (2011). An African reflection on Tahrir Square. Globalizations, 8(5), 559-566. Retrieved from
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14747731.2011.626918
Nash, K. (2010). Contemporary political sociology: Globalisation, politics and power. West Sussex, United Kingdom:
Wiley-Blackwell
Ownership and control of the media. (n.d.). Retrieved May 23, 2014, from www.revisionworld.com/a2-level-level-
revision/sociology/mass-media-0/ownership-and-control-media
Seib, P. (2012). Real time diplomacy: Politics and power in the social media era. doi: 10.1057/9781137010902
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21. REFERENCE LIST - IMAGES
Broke student [Image] (2014, April 4). Retrieved May 24, 2014, from http://www.aftertheesq.com/category/student-
loans/
Dr Bruce Rowell [Image] (2011, June 14). Retrieved May 24, 2014, from http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-06-
14/news/ct-met-medical-home-network-20110614_1_medicaid-patients-link-hospitals-lawndale-christian-health-
center
Facebook and Twitter icons [Image] (2013, April 2). Retrieved May 24, 2014, from
http://www.trustedreviews.com/news/blackberry-10-users-receive-facebook-and-twitter-app-updates
Max Weber 1917 [Image] (2008, June 8). Retrieved May 24, 2014, from http://harpers.org/blog/2008/06/weber-on-the-
political-vocation/
Media [Image] (2011, August 5). Retrieved May 24, 2014, from http://blog.hubspot.com/blog/tabid/6307/bid/21799/5-
Tips-for-Getting-Media-Coverage-Using-Social-Media.aspx
Older Worker [Image] (2012, February 15). Retrieved May 24, 2014, from http://incedogroup.com/older-workers-still-
a-great-value-to-any-organization/
Rich and poor in the streets of London [Image] (n.d.). Retrieved May 24, 2014, from
http://www.arteutile.net/art_content/archive/LONDON_GianniMuratore_RichandpoorinthestreetsofLondon_902.h
tml
Social speech banner [Image] (n.d.). Retrieved May 24, 2014, from http://www.socialsignal.com/social-speeches
The Guardian [Image] (2011, July 16). Retrieved May 24, 2014, from http://www.thepaperboy.com/uk/the-
guardian/front-pages-today.cfm?frontpage=5073
The Stop the War protest in London [Image] (2008, February 15). Retrieved May 24, 2014, from
http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2008/feb/15/iraq 21
Stephanie Piredda 17474737
Editor's Notes
Webers definition of politics, while broad, allows for individuals to grasp a concept which involves three components of politics; independence, leadership and action. From this definition we become aware of the idea of politics as action. That it means the individuals who take part in politics must be prepared to act on any issues that become relevant. They must take the position of a leader when dealing with these issues in order to ensure that they fulfil their role. Weber sees politics as being independent, but this may not always be the case in contemporary society. Most individuals who partake in politics are part of a larger group, or political party, where all individuals have the similar beliefs.
Weber believes that power can come from many sources and that an individual does not need to be of the elite class in order to have immense power. He also brings to light the idea that money and the economy are not a main source of power, rather they just become contributing factors. Weber believes in the idea that large groups of individuals have the power to challenge the traditional political process in order to ensure that their rights are being represented. While it is true that organised political groups are able to have influence within the system, we do have to question just how much influence they have, and if they are more influential than elite individuals.
In the pluralist theory of politics there is the idea that “ordinary people can change things.” (A, Lentin, personal communication, March 4, 2014). Individuals are able to participate in politics in many ways. They can protest, start petitions and even encourage people to do the same and ensure that their views are being heard. Through persistence and an ongoing will to try and change things, ordinary individuals will be able to help make a change. Pluralism is also about individuals’ ability to access power through the idea of representation. That is they make their view point known, not just to a small audience, but to a large one in order to ensure that they are being noticed.
One way that ordinary individuals are able to hold power and influence over others is through the use of mass media. The media allows for individuals to voice their opinions in a forum that that reaches a vast audience. It also allows different view points on various topics to be presented and allows for individuals to gain a deeper understanding into these view points. Pluralist theorists believe that mass media is necessary for democratic governments as it is where most voters will receive the information that allows them to make an informed decision. For Mass media to be effective in the democratic process, all alternatives would have to be equally represented to ensure that the public is receiving accurate information. However this may not always be the case as on many occasions the media will favour one particular view and will be able to influence the public to feel the same.
The idea of ‘free and open press’ seems to have no limit. If we take a look at the hacking scandal in the UK in 2011 we can see that the mass media believe that, in order to gain information that they feel the public has the right to know, they are unrestricted in their methods of retrieval. This is where the media is out of control and the idea of it being essential is hard to accept. Individuals need to make informed decisions when deciding to trust and accept the media’s content. The media’s control comes from obtaining the public’s trust. They only have as much power as the public are willing to give them.
The idea of citizenship is meant to encourage the idea of equality for all individuals within the state. This is mainly based on the equality of rights – political, civil and social. However there are many inequalities that are experienced by various individuals in terms of their rights. A major inequality seen in most states is that of the access to rights between the wealthy and the poor. This is mainly due to the expansion of the market which makes the divide between the wealthy and the poor more prominent.
Governments will suggest that there is little to no difference in the way that citizens are treated, especially depending on their income. However this is not accurate. While it may not be straightforward there are effects of various laws and rights that benefit the wealthy rather than the poor. The 2014 Australian Federal budget is one example of governments further disadvantaging the less fortunate within our society. Some of the proposed outcomes will be discussed in the following slides and will show how the less fortunate will be impacted in many common areas of society.
Without a doubt there has always been a major emphasis on the work force and individuals working to sustain their living. From the young age of 14 years and 9 months individuals are encouraged to work, whether it be part time, casual or eventually full time. The 2014 Australian Federal budget however wants to ensure that by 2035 individuals are working up to the age of 70 and will be cutting concessions. It is preposterous to believe that individuals are expected to work for over 55 years of their life in order to make a decent living and be eligible for retirement benefits. For those who only know manual labour skills it will be difficult for them to stay in the workforce that long and not incur health risks. There is also the issue of cuts being made to concessions. It is unfair that people on a concession are not being supported. The individuals obviously have a reason as to why they need the concession, whether it be youth or pensioners. The concession helps them to live manageably and the government is removing that safety net.
A major priority for many young individuals in contemporary society is to gain a tertiary education in a chosen field of study in order to gain a future career. This priority comes from the idea that individuals have the “obligation to make oneself fit for the labour market.” (Nash, 2010, p.142). In order to conform with the contemporary labour market where most careers require tertiary education, university is almost a necessity for individuals. Most students will go straight into university from high school, leaving no time to bring in a steady income. If the government reduces their contribution to student fees we will see a decline in individuals attending university which will in turn lead to the labour market and economy as a whole to become inefficient. Furthermore, it discourages individuals, who may not be able to afford the increases, to find meaningless jobs which are not their first preferences.
A level of living conditions and amenities that should be encouraged in all societies, for the wealthy and the poor, is that of being healthy and having access to health care facilities. In Australia at the current moment, citizens are able to access free health care through the use of bulk billing and Medicare. This allows for all people, no matter their economic status, they receive the health care that they need. However as proposed in the 2014 Federal budget there will be a $7 co-payment for every GP visit and they will also be “charging patients for public hospital treatments.” (Corderoy & Harrison, 2014). This is completely unfair and disadvantages the less fortunate in many ways. Having to pay for GP visits and hospital treatments will see a decline in individuals seeking the medical help they need as many will not be able to afford it.
Protests and social actions have changed drastically in the 21st century. They have moved on from being large violent protests to even larger non-violent ones through the use of many new technologies. This new type of activism allows for the cause and the idea of protest to spread further than it could before, allowing greater access for people to participate. It encourages the initiative of coming together as a group with common aims, no matter where they are from or what age they are. If they believe in the cause then there is always a possibility to reform.
Social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter allow for individuals to connect no matter where in the world they are. They are able to form connections based on commonalities and this allows them to become empowered to stand up for what they believe in. It also permits other individuals to gain information about what is going on around them, not just from a formal perspective, but also from an informal perspective. This may help individuals to form an opinion and encourage them to also take action on the cause. The communities that are formed online are a way for individuals to express their activism without letting it get violent and in a way can be seen as a more peaceful way to protest about the changes they feel strongly about.
There are many boundaries which can come between individuals; physical, social and cultural. These boundaries are becoming less and less distinguishable through the use of social media and the internet. While there will always be some form of boundary, individuals are slowly overcoming them and are now able to connect with people from all over the world no matter their social or cultural status. The Arab uprisings are one example where we can see how social networks such as Twitter and Facebook allowed for individuals to connect. In the video The Arab Awakening – Tweets from Tahrir, we hear from individuals who experienced firsthand the connections that were able to be made through social networks. The individuals explained how they connected with not only people from neighbouring countries but were also able to connect with people from many other countries such as the US, as seen in the above photo. This connection allows for people to feel connected and know that there are people who do care about the causes that they are protesting for.
Any words that an individual writes on any social network are immediately public. The view they undertake and the position that they have expressed becomes public knowledge. This publicity may or may not be beneficial for the individual but it does allow for them to participate in a collective social action with people who express the same view as they do. Individuals feel more confident to express their views on the internet as they see this as a non-violent way to participate in protest. People are amazed that the effect of social media protests can reach as far as physical protests. They are only recently starting to see that collective social action through the use of words on a screen, like much of the 21st century protests consist of, are just as effective as violent protests, which now seem unnecessary.
Social media, without a doubt, plays a major role in the lives of most contemporary individuals. It allows for people to stay connected no matter where in the world they are or any differences that they may have. The Arab uprisings of 2011 are a key event that allows us to see just how relevant to all aspects of society it is. Within this protest, social networks allowed for individuals to stay connected and informed about the events that were happening and how they could help. It allowed for people to gain information that was up to date and relevant. Social media has “become unavoidable for all people who cover major events,” such as the Arab uprisings. (Beaumont, 2011). Social networks are the 21st century’s way of protest, individuals no longer feel the need to go out and be violent protesters when they can achieve the same result through the use of mass media connections.
