Political Development And Political Decay By Samuel P. Huntington

Throughout the world there are many diverse political cultures. A political culture is the attitudes, beliefs or practices among a group of likeminded individuals. (Giardino pg. 27) There are different categories that embrace a political culture like an Individualistic, traditionalistic and moralistic. An individualistic culture is one that prefers less government involvement. The traditionalists’ culture maintains government as the social and economic hierarchy and does not like change. The moralistic culture favors public good and it revolves around social issues. In shaping a political culture demographics such as population size, growth, distribution and diversity are essential to determine how a state is in any of the three categories. Society is strongly affected by decisions of who, what and when does an individual receive any types of goods or services. Government is the structure, buildings and institutions that are held within politics.

Andrew Jackson changed how the people of his time viewed politics. When Jackson was elected in 1828, he saw himself as someone who represented the common man. He owned a farm, but not a huge plantation, and he had no formal education or a college degree. As a result of Jackson being elected as president, politics became very popular in the middle and lower classes. Jacksonian Democracy was the emergence of popular politics and showed that the government was no longer just for the wealthy elite. Jacksonian Democracy of the 1820s and 1830s led to a sense of equality between all social classes of American citizens, and prompted Jackson to terminate the Bank of the United States that had been seen as a bank of the wealthy. In the same way, office holding positions were opened to every white male, which created a shift to the government being for the common man.

By looking at the readings of Machiavelli, Hobbes, and Locke, there are a few distinctions between how the modern thinkers viewed politics versus the way the ancient thinkers believed politics should be. There are many topics both modern and ancient thinkers discuss in their writings, such as the purpose of politics, the science of politics, human nature, as well as the ideal regime. By doing so, these thinkers’ views on political topics such as these illuminate how they thought politics should work and who should be able to participate in the activity of politics.

“Development is the process of expanding the real freedom that people enjoy, with expansion of freedom viewed as the primary end and the principle means of development”.

Politics and political participation ensures that the people who use their right of political participation choose a governmental leader and policies theses leaders would pursue that will express the people's concerns and interest. Because linkage institutions represent what people prefer the “ linkage institutions transmit America’s preferences to the policymakers in government” (Government in America, 11) Linkage institutions and policy making institutions work together by in linkage institutions, media and elections provide to the policymakers in the policymaking system problems and interest that can make its way to the policy agenda which receives the serious attention of public officials and those involved in politics. By working together,

The “era of the common man” did not fully live up to its characterization on the means of economic development and by some democratic reforms such as office appointments. However, the politics aspect of the “era of the common man” did live up to its expectation by giving the common man a larger voice in politics and also with some other democratic reforms such as popular vote for presidential elections.

Political structures are defined as the formal or informal political procedures through which decisions are made regarding the usage, production and distribution of resources in any given community. Formal political structures through its organizations can control processes such as election of leaders; parts and tasks of the executive and administration; organization of political representation (through political parties); and the obligation and oversight of the state. Informal and communal political structures, customs and rules can work within or together with the formal political organizations. In development, democratic political structures are seen to deliver prospects for all without discrimination (Scott & Mcloughlin, 2014).

Huntington also does not see westernization as a desirable surge that engulfs world politics. Conflict is very natural and history proves that argument. The author takes away focus from states as a foundation of war in the future and more on conflict between major culture regions. He states that peoples cultural and religious identities will be the primary bases of conflict post cold war. The world is becoming a smaller place with modernization and technology; thus, relations between people of different civilizations deepen consciousness and awareness. Post cold war, the role of the Western society enhances the growth of civilization. Unlike Fukuyamas argument, Huntington states that cultural characteristics and differences are more complex to solve than political and economical

development have been political, social and cultural. President Museveni of Uganda likened the advent of

"United States can be seen as the first liberal democracy. The United States Constitution, adopted in 1788, provided for an elected government and protected civil rights and liberties. On the American frontier, democracy became a way of life, with widespread social, economic and political equality. The system gradually evolved, from Jeffersonian Democracy or the First Party System to Jacksonian Democracy or the Second Party System and later to the Third Party System. In Reconstruction after the Civil War (late 1860s) the newly freed slaves became citizens, and they were given the vote as well." (Web, 1)

Perrin defines democracy as, “the back- and- forth interactions among citizens and institutions of government, structured through rules, ideas, and technologies”. In the prominent book, American Democracy, sociological professor Andrew J Perrin analyzes the current discussions and concerns about the core of American Democracy. Perrin studies and teaches democratic citizenship in the United States and focuses on what people should know and do in order to make democracy work. The main purpose of the book is to show that democracy along with representation are first social and cultural concepts, then they are political ones. This book is vastly significant because it demonstrates an ingenious approach to democracy and the role that the citizens should have.

Although the dynamism in societies throughout the world are tremendously different, each country has turning points in their history that shaped the present day values of their society. The designs of each country is often rooted in the origins of their histories. In order to dramatically change the direction of a country one must encounter a physical or cultural revolution. The Civil War in the United States proves the determination of the people for a change in society. The power of a unified body can change the path of a country, while culture is often resistant to change. In order for the political structure of a country to change, there must be a leader eager to lead the battle to change the economic trends and social culture in society.

As a child develops into an adult there are critical developmental steps that are necessary for a complete and successful transition. The physical transition is the most obvious change, but underneath the thick skin and amongst the complex systems, exists another layer of transitions. Ideas, rationales, ideologies and beliefs all dwell within this layer of each being. It could be said that a nation can also fit this transitional framework. A nation grows in both size (wealth, population, power), and in ideological maturity (emancipation of slaves, civil rights, women’s rights…etc). This constant evolution of ideas and size is the foundation of a successful government. Without change and

The creation and manipulation of representative institutions as democracy decorations help authoritarians in providing legitimate governance and ensure political survival. Authoritarians face challenges from representative institutions such as the legislative, judiciary,

The essence of institutional drift is a key factor of the 6th chapter. Countries such as Venice and Ancient Rome are used to describe why so many nations fail, due of the extractiveness of their governments. There was a short time when these countries had an inclusive system that was working and helping them grow. But the elite became greedy and power hungry, which set them on a downward hill to failure. Whereas, in England the opposite was happening where there was a demand for property rights and change. The elite were too afraid of losing their power to not agree and it is precisely why England is still one of the most powerful countries in the world.