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Description
This is the concluding programme of the politics block of the course. Its purpose is to introduce the student to some of the ways in which the term 'political activity' has been given some theoreti...cal basis. It poses this question; when what is called politics can be seen operating in such different environments as American government, a stateless society, and groups within society, how can one identify an activity called 'politics' that can strictly be said to exist in each case? It is suggested that one way of doing this is to construct a theoretical 'model' of political activity, that concentrates on the functions or processes of politics. This structural functional model is explained in the programme as a model in which impacts or demands on the political system are converted into operational proposals, and those in turn are converted through some governmental machinery into political outputs. The advantages and disadvantages of this model are then discussed by Dr James Barber and Frank Castles of the Open University. They discuss the limitations of the model and whether or not it can be applied to the various situations that have arisen in the politics block of the course. It is pointed out in the programme that the structural functional model is only one example of a model of political activity.
This is the concluding programme of the politics block of the course. Its purpose is to introduce the student to some of the ways in which the term 'political activity' has been given some theoreti...cal basis. It poses this question; when what is called politics can be seen operating in such different environments as American government, a stateless society, and groups within society, how can one identify an activity called 'politics' that can strictly be said to exist in each case? It is suggested that one way of doing this is to construct a theoretical 'model' of political activity, that concentrates on the functions or processes of politics. This structural functional model is explained in the programme as a model in which impacts or demands on the political system are converted into operational proposals, and those in turn are converted through some governmental machinery into political outputs. The advantages and disadvantages of this model are then discussed by Dr James Barber and Frank Castles of the Open University. They discuss the limitations of the model and whether or not it can be applied to the various situations that have arisen in the politics block of the course. It is pointed out in the programme that the structural functional model is only one example of a model of political activity.
| Module code and title: | D100, Understanding society: a foundation course |
|---|---|
| Item code: | D100; 28 |
| First transmission date: | 01-08-1971 |
| Published: | 1971 |
| Rights Statement: | |
| Restrictions on use: | |
| Duration: | 00:14:52 |
| + Show more... | |
| Producer: | Francis Sealey |
| Contributors: | James Barber; Frank Castles |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Keyword(s): | Political societies |
| Footage description: | James Barker introduces the programme and speaks of the difficulty of defining political activity. Frank Castles uses two models to determine political activity and its common element. Model (1) is shown at 3'08 - 3'50, model (2) at 4'37 - 6'34, model (1) again at 6'39 - 7'03. James Barker discusses the models and leads into discussion with Frank Castles. Discussion begins. The application of the model to differing political societies is discussed. Criticisms of the model are made. |
| Master spool number: | 6HT/70105 |
| Production number: | 00520_1228 |
| Videofinder number: | 3386 |
| Available to public: | no |
