What a great variety of forms of political behavior exists! And how few people know about them. And this is not surprising - after all, this topic is studied exclusively by sociologists and political scientists. But knowledge in this case will not interfere with those who wish to directly participate in the life of the country. So, beginner political scientist, let's study the basic forms of political behavior.
General information
Political behavior can take the form of participation, protest and absenteeism. This division exists due to a number of features. As a rule, the use of a certain form of political behavior entails the establishment of a certain status. Participation is by far the most common. But due to dissatisfaction with the current system, a form of protest is gradually gaining popularity.
Alternative Forms
It should be noted that different classification systems are used. One has already been given, let's take a look at another one, which implies a division into non-conventional forms. This is necessary in order to have a complete understanding of the subject of the article. First, let's talk about conventional forms of behavior:
- Absenteeism.
- Introducing politics through the media.
- Discussion of political events with acquaintances and friends.
- Voting in elections and referendums.
- Campaign work to familiarize the broad masses with a political party or candidate.
- Convincing the population that they need to vote (and in some particular way).
- Participation in meetings and rallies.
- Appeal and interaction with government agencies, as well as their individual representatives.
- Political activity of the figure (nomination of his own candidacy, work as a member of the leadership of a public organization or party, deputy, minister, and so on).
Besides this, there are still non-conventional forms of behavior that are aimed at protesting the current state of affairs. These include:
- Signing petitions.
- Physical presence at demonstrations that were not allowed.
- Participation in the boycott.
- Refusal to pay taxes to the state treasury.
- Capture of government buildings, enterprises, sit-ins.
- Traffic blocking.
- Active participation inspontaneous movements.
Now let's talk more specifically about how forms of political behavior differ. Various aspects and features will be considered.
Political Participation
So, this is understood as the activity of citizens, which is aimed at shaping and supporting the activities of state and public institutions. It can take the following forms:
- Support for parties and individual candidates during the election campaign.
- Vote for people and organizations in elections.
- Creation and activity in public associations, parties, movements, interest groups.
- This also includes participation in political actions.
Besides, it can take an open and indirect form. In the first case, it is expressed in participation in referendums, the work of various meetings, committees, and so on, where a person can participate in any stage where decisions need to be made. The second form provides for the delegation of the right to a specific person to act as a representative of a group of citizens in some body (for example, the State Duma). What can be said about them? It is believed that open forms of political behavior are the manifestation of real democracy in the state. Opponents of this thesis often point to the apathy of citizens, as well as the relatively low level of education. Thus, the negative side of open forms is considered to be that the opinion of the majority can be quite easily manipulated,creating the necessary situation in the country.
Activity of citizens
The most common in the modern world is the so-called electoral behavior. This is understood as the activity of citizens, which is associated with the delegation of powers to represent individual citizens. The nature and activity of electoral behavior can be affected by such factors as a person's social status, education, religiosity, income level, place of residence, and other similar factors. Also in some countries, the voter registration system, the features of party systems, and in addition to this, the population of the country leaves its mark. If we talk about the mass character, then the trend is such that the most active are the inhabitants of Europe, and the least - the United States. This is due to the fact that in the first, voters have more influence. In addition to the above, you should be aware that participation can be divided into autonomous and mobilized. In the first case, it is implied that citizens act on their own initiative. Mobilized political participation is based on manipulation and coercion.
Protest
In this case, they understand the active expression of their negative attitude towards the current political system. Criticism may be subject to either the whole of it or its individual structures. In real life, protest is expressed as a rally, procession, demonstration, strike, civil disobedience and picketing. Ataggravation of confrontation, group and even mass violent actions can occur.
Absenteeism
This is the name of the situation when voters evade participation in political life. As a result, the links between people's interests and power are destroyed. This leads to a weakening of the legitimacy of the current political system. The causes of absenteeism are called apathy, indifference to the processes taking place in the country, disappointment in power structures, distrust of institutions. It can also be a form of passive support for protest movements.
Activities
When someone says that democracy is a traditional form of political behavior, the example is not well chosen. This is largely due to the fact that it is used relatively recently and has not yet been able to take root. But if a separate individual can build a strategy of rational actions out of his needs, interests and motives, then he will be able to implement it. In modern society, a person can show his participation by voting in elections, going to rallies and demonstrations. At the same time, if there is a desire, then it is also possible for him to manifest political passivity, when the main body of information simply does not reach him. And the data that a person could get acquainted with is perceived by him with a certain degree of phlegmatism.
What is political behavior like?
From the point of view of continuity, the following forms are distinguished:
- Traditional. Correspondsestablished political beliefs or is typical of the area.
- Innovative. It is implied in those cases when new models of political behavior are being created or new features of existing relations are being created.
From the point of view of the target orientation, the following forms are distinguished:
- Constructive. This means that the behavior shown contributes to the maintenance of the normal functioning of the political system that operates in this territory.
- Destructive. This means that the political behavior of a person undermines the order established in this territory.
Besides this, you can also focus on the number:
- Individual political behavior. This includes the actions that one person can perform. They must necessarily have a certain social and political significance. An example would be a public statement or a practical action.
- Group political behavior. This includes the activities of spontaneously formed groups of people or organizations.
- Mass political behavior. most numerical forms. These include elections, referendums, demonstrations and rallies.
The last two are characterized by emotional "infection".
Elections
As you can see, there are various forms and types of political behavior. But the most massive are the elections. During their conduct, the greatest interest for researchers of this process is the electoral behavior of citizens. They are searchinganswers to such questions: who is for whom; why; what are the reasons for not participating? In other words, they are engaged in identifying the factors that allowed the current situation to develop. It should be noted that electoral behavior largely depends on a number of features. Thus, in countries where there is already a long-standing party system, the connections of voters with their representative groups and individuals are quite stable. Every election they vote for "their own". As a rule, they are guided by real results and what the parties want to realize. Moreover, they are selected in such a way that their interests best correspond to the needs of the individual. Although group and individual commitment is also quite wide. In such cases, they give their vote not so much for the idea and program, but for the personality. The above can interact, contradict and sometimes overlap. This leads to the fact that in countries even with the same regimes, different forms of political behavior have developed. Examples in this case are well-known powers like the US and the UK. So, recently 72% of the inhabitants of the United Kingdom came to Brexit. Whereas in the US, about a third of the population goes to the polls.
Features
Quite popular among the masses is absenteeism. In order to prevent connivance on the part of citizens, many states take various measures. So, in Greece, voting is mandatory, and if someone ignores this“right”, then a blow to the pocket awaits him. Others introduce a certain norm (for example, 50% or 30% of the total number of voters) of people who must come to the will in order for it to be considered valid. The mechanism of mass media is also widely used for these purposes. Thanks to the media, you can get information about a particular policy (or party). In addition, the media are engaged in agitating citizens to overcome indifference and apathy and go to the polls.
Conclusion
So we have considered the forms of political behavior and their characteristics. The information provided is not enough to fully understand political life, but at the same time, it allows you to create the foundation for the formation of a future successful state. It will be very good if everyone can understand the importance of the voice in achieving the happy prosperity of the country. Given that we have elections approaching, it is necessary to take advantage of at least this opportunity to influence the elected government. At the same time, it is necessary to carefully approach your choice and pay attention to district candidates. After all, in fact, they will represent a certain territory and protect its interests.
