Social studies, politics: tests, EGE

What is politics? Why is she an ordinary citizen? What does this concept include?

Policy. Social studies lesson

The political sphere is one of the four spheres of social life of the society along with the economic, social and spiritual. What does social science tell us about this? The sphere of politics in science is divided into three concepts:

• Kind of human activity.
• One of the four spheres of social life in a complex dynamic system of society.
• Type of social relations between people in the group.

The concept of political activity

Each of us, without noticing, is involved in the political activities of the state in which he lives. Indeed, politics plays a leading role in our lives. After all, we all live within a society that is governed by such a social institution as the state. Here is how the well-known German scientist M. Weber characterized the involvement in politics of every individual of society:

• Involvement "on the occasion." This is when a citizen of a country takes a one-time political decision and participates in the political life of the country. A vivid example can serve as presidential elections or a referendum on the most important issues of society.
• Involvement "in combination". When a citizen actively participates in politics, the main activity is another sphere. For example, entrepreneurs enter into any political party and periodically participate in its life.
• Professional politics. These are people whose main activity is this sphere.

Impact on policy

For greater influence on the political sphere, people create strong associations on a specific basis (classes, castes, etc.). From the course of history, one can recall the influence of certain social groups on changes in the structure in the country. Often, reconstruction was achieved through revolutions.

In the tests of the USE, social science pays great attention to this issue. The modern influence of citizens on politics in the country is achieved through integration into political parties and movements. A special role in decision-making in the state belongs to the political elite. This is a small circle of people who concentrate in their hands the greatest influence in the country. It includes the most important government positions, such as the president, ministers, leaders of the ruling political parties.

A distinctive feature of political activity lies in the fact that it is aimed at society as a whole, rather than on its separate sphere. Hence arose a contradictory question: "Are all means good for creating a bright future in the country?" Are cruel, punitive measures permissible for the future prosperity of the state? For example, extremists and religious fanatics affirmatively answer such questions. Any methods should be used if they approximate the cherished goal. In other words, the end justifies the means.

From the course of national history it is clear that similar movements arose in Russia. Suffice it to recall the party of Socialist-Revolutionaries (AKP) with their mass acts of terrorism and murders of the leading political figures of the 19th century. The Communists were not limited in any way after the 1917 revolution and the Red Terror that followed. The goal is to destroy classes of "kulaks and gentlemen" by any methods. To prevent such events, a separate topic ("Politics") on social studies is being studied.

Political Institutions

This is one of the types of social institutions that serve in society to achieve specific needs of society. Political institutions are necessary for security, ensuring social order, peaceful adoption of the most important decisions for society. The main thing, of course, is the state. In addition to it, political institutions include political parties, trade unions, and associations.

Political parties

They are voluntary associations of people with identical views on the development of the state and society. Each party has a clearly defined program of actions and transformations, ideology and achieves the fulfillment of these tasks by the methods permitted in the state. As a rule, these are elections to legislative structures with the aim of making decisions that are generally binding for all residents of the country.

Naturally, such an association should be regulated by legal norms. In the Russian Federation, for these purposes, in 2001, a special Federal Law "On Political Parties" was adopted. He clearly formulated the definition. A political party is a voluntary association of citizens of the Russian Federation to achieve their political requirements by participating in elections of government bodies at all levels, as well as in political actions and debates, and public speeches.

Objectives of political parties

The main ones are:

• Promotion of their candidates to the legislative bodies of all levels.
• Formation of public opinion on this or that question.
• Political education of citizens.

Political parties are a very complex mechanism. Each has its own ideology, program, structure and procedure for determining candidates for legislative assemblies. This is studied in more detail in other topics of the course "Social Studies". Politics, as one of the topics, does not focus on this particular attention. It gives only general concepts.

Political relations

This term refers to the relationship of people, actors, arising in the political sphere. Any interactions that are related to power in the center or on the ground will be the subject of such a relationship. Such examples include:

• Interaction between state mechanisms. For example, between the government and the branch ministry.
• Interaction between a certain state structure and social groups. For example, between the state and the military reserve.
• Interaction between state structures and non-state social movements and formations. For example, the Ministry of Agriculture and trade unions of farmers.
• Interaction between the state and individual citizens.
• Interaction between political parties and non-political formations, such as trade unions, cooperatives, etc.
• Between the state and interstate international structures and units. A striking example is the relationship between the Russian Federation and PACE (the Parliamentary Assembly of Europe).

Relationships can develop in different ways. Mutual assistance, competition, lobbying of interests, measures of state support, sanctions and restrictions - all this depends on the specific goals of each of the parties. If they coincide, then cooperation takes place. But if the goals are different and contradict each other, there is a confrontation between the participants in political relations .

What social norms are regulated such relations on the USE? Social studies as a subject of school discipline answers the following:

• Political principles.
• Traditions.
• Legal norms.
• Ethical standards.

Politics and power. Social studies as a school course

All political aspects are directly or indirectly related to one concept. This is power. More precisely, the struggle for it. Power does not necessarily refer to a political concept. This term denotes any kind of command and control. For example, the influence of parents on children, the employer on a subordinate. He considers this term and the subject of social studies. Politics as a special kind of activity is inextricably linked with the concept of power.

To enforce orders, sanctions are applied. This is not always a negative concept. Sanctions are divided into positive and negative. The first to provide orders include rewards. For example, a bonus, an increase, an extraordinary vacation. Negative sanctions to maintain power include punishment - dismissal, fine, deprivation of the premium, etc. An important factor in maintaining power is the authority of the entity issuing orders or orders.

Again, we turn to the course "Social Studies". Politics is not only an area where power exists. In society, the following types of power are divided:

• Economic. Control over resources, money, material values.
• Cultural and information. Control over information (radio, newspapers, television, etc.)
• Forced. Control by force (army, police, security services).
• Political.

The latter kind of power has a number of distinctive properties that are inherent only to it:

• It extends to the entire society as a whole, residing on the territory of the state. The political authorities are subordinate to all other authorities.
• It acts on behalf of the whole society as a whole.
• Only political power is given the right to use force lawfully.
• It has a single national decision-making center.
• Uses all means of influence inherent in other types of power.

What can be concluded by studying the course "Social Studies"? Politics is one of the key activities that affects everyone else.