CHAPTER 10: SOURCES OF POLITICAL CHANGE
Political Change
Political change occurs when there is an alteration in the way power and authority are
exercised in a particular state.
Profound political change occurred in Philippine society when the country was
put under martial law by President Ferdinand Marcos in 1972.
The imposition of martial law in our country was an extreme type of political
change, namely a regime change.
This also entails a shift in the relationship between those who govern and those
who are governed. Several changes may happen within social groups, classes,
and political institutions and processes.
A change in the system of government is one of the more extreme types of
political change normally brought about by historical events involving conflict.
Political change can be brought about by a revolution defined by a political
scientist, Theda Skocpol as a “Rapid and basic transformation of a society’s state
and class structures that are accompanied and in part carried through by class-
based revolts from below.”
Revolution
There are two primary forms of revolutions:
Political Revolution
Social Revolution
Political Revolution results in the replacement or transformation of the government,
without altering other aspects of society and maintaining the relationship between
socioeconomic classes.
Social Revolution results in the large-scale transformation of social structures,
organizations, and institutions such as the government, bringing about great changes in
socioeconomic relations.
Another cause of political change is conflict, particularly civil wars. Conflicts between
rival functions could bring about regime changes in a country.
Prolonged civil wars could destabilize a country and cause economic and social
problems. Regime changes could also be brought about by military action such as coup
d’etat.
Coup d’ etat – The forcible removal of a ruling government by members of the military.
Protests and popular movements are other events that bring about political change in
society.
Perspectives on political change
Because the wide array of processes and circumstances, different perspectives on the
roots and nature of political change emerged.
In particular, the ideas of:
Karl Marx (1818-1883)
Emile Durkheim (1898-1917)
Max Weber (1864-1920)
Emile Durkheim and Max Weber embodied the major perspectives regarding
political and social change
They focused primarily on the rapid changes in 19th –century European societies,
and were particularly interested in modernization.
Karl Marx
For Marx, political change is a result of changes in the economy, particularly the
way goods and services are produced in society.
Emile Durkheim
▪ The French sociologist agreed with Marx, that political change is a result of great
transformations in society. However, Durkheim focused on the impact of
modernization on the division of labor and the social roles played by individuals
in the society.
Max Weber
▪ The German sociologist, meanwhile, focused on the significant role of culture
and ideas in implementing change.
▪ He paid close attention to how practices, beliefs, and attitudes shape the political
values and behavior of individuals.
Modernization: The Engine of Political Change
Modernization
-It is the process by which traditional societies transform into modern societies.
-It is a major socioeconomic process that results in political change.
-It is defined by Samuel Huntington as “a multi-faced process involving changes in
all areas of human thought and activity.”
Information technology - is also an important factor in introducing political change.
Economic changes also bring about political change.
Economic crisis, meanwhile, can also bring about drastic political change
Sociocultural changes also have an impact on the political attitudes and values of
individual members of society.
Political change can also be caused by external factors.
Globalization
▪ It is one such phenomenon whose influence goes beyond territorial borders and
gives rise to widespread changes that affect economies, societies, and states.
▪ It generally refers to the increased interconnectivity between individuals, groups,
and other agents in an international system.
▪ It is seen in far reaching developments worldwide such as
-Enhanced communication brought about by information technology.
-The integration of financial and capital markets.
- Increased migration.
-The spread of ideals such as freedom, democracy, and respect for
human rights.
Adapting to political change: Active Citizenship
▪ Understanding the complexities of all these changes in the political sphere is a
significant challenge to all members of society.
▪ One must understand that change is constant and that people’s mindsets, norms,
beliefs, and attitudes must adapt to these various processes of change.
▪ Adapting to change also requires individuals not to be afraid to learn and aquire
new knowledge.
▪ Finally, political change means that people must adopt a new set of values that
appreciates diversity among individuals.