Preventing Socio-political Disruption

As explained, political life possesses an unavoidable integrating-dividing dynamic. The result is that in three of the grouping-levels of political activity :

• G3-mobilization,
• G5-authority arrangements, &
• G6-political will.
  

there are two manifestations of the same phenomenon; i.e. one Centre integrates society and the other Centre divides society.

These new Centres differentiate the inter-level influences noted previously,
e.g: Societal Awareness CG7 ↔ CG6 now has to be re-conceived as two separate Channels. The balanced Stability Centre has one Channel to the divisive Emergent Popular Dissatisfaction Centre and another Channel to the integrative Sustained Social Order Centre.

The only inter-level linkage that remains unchanged by introducing the dynamic dualityconnects Social Responsibility-CG1 and Political Work-CG2 and this is named: Personal Involvement CG2_B ↔ CG1_B.

Before considering these Channels, we must deal with the potential for societal disturbance that would and must result if the integrating and dividingCentresat the same Level were not properly linked.

CG6: Political Will

Without the emergence of foci of popular dissatisfaction [D], there is no impetus for the improvement of societal institutions. However, without a widely valued and supported social order [I] there is no socio-emotional foundation to handle viable reform. When both operate well, the social order accepts and even welcomes expressions of dissatisfaction, which does not spill over into turmoil. The smooth operation of this linkage is is the condition for progress.

The CG6_I ↔ CG6_D Channel is labelled: Societal Progress

CG5: Authorization Arrangements

Any society requires both an effective governing institution and effective leaders to manage progress and minimize corruption. Strong governing institutions provide the public with comfort that leaders have appropriate constraints, and ensure clarity about the systems and procedures used to introduce change. Society works well if the leadership respects and adheres to these values and accepts certain intrinsic restrictions. Taken together, this linkage is the basis for a strong society.

The CG5_I ↔ CG5_D Channel is labelled: Societal Strength

Comment

Any situation in which the actual leaders are not tied into and integrated within society’s governing arrangements, one way or another, is dangerous for the public and reveals a weak society. Example: Aung San Suu Kyi won a democratic election in Myanmar (Burma) but was then held under house arrest for almost 20 years by the ruling military junta. Myanmar remained an outcast amongst nations. In 2011, society shifted and she re-entered politics alongside the military. But this only lasted until the military once again took over in 2021 following overwhelming defeat in the elections and again imprisoned Aung San Suu Kyi. Since then the military have been waging war on the people.

When individuals emerge as leaders with a following in society (cf. Lech Wałęsa and Solidarity in Poland in the 1980s), the other «official» political leaders within the society feel forced to accept the reality and move, often reluctantly, to involve and co-opt them within governing institutions.

CG3: Mobilization

Spontaneous demonstrations [I] are a powerful expression of public engagement in politics. They demand that the regime in power turn away for a moment from the vested interests that seek (and largely win) control of policy. Organised mobilization re-focusses what people think and provides more systematization. By tapping into personal interests and beliefs, it can be more enduring. However, this mode can be intensely divisive, especially if negative emotional attitudes are activated and directed towards alternative views and factions. Taken together, this linkage provides for widespread engagement of the public.

The CG3_D ↔ CG3_I Channel is labelled: Popular Engagement

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These horizontal Channels, societal progress, societal strength and popular engagement ensure that society can function and evolve without constant disruptions.

• Assuming that chaos has been averted, we can now consider additional influences amongst the components of political life.
• Alternatively, skip the channel-development webpages and continue to a review of political life.

Originally posted: Aug-2009; Last updated: 15-Nov-2023.