Basic forms of political behavior

What a great variety of forms of political behavior exists! And how few people know about them. And it is not surprising - after all this subject is studied exclusively by sociologists and political scientists. But knowledge in this case does not prevent those who wish to participate directly in the life of the country. So, a beginning 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 because of a number of features. As a rule, the use of a certain form of political behavior entails the establishment of a certain status. The most common at the moment is participation. But because of discontent about the existing system, the form of protest is gradually gaining popularity.

Alternative forms

It should be noted that different classification systems are used. One has already been introduced, let's get acquainted with one more, which implies a division into non-conventional forms. This is necessary in order to have a complete idea of the subject matter of the article. To begin with, let's talk about conventional forms of behavior:

1. Absenteeism.
2. Acquaintance with politics through the media.
3. Discussion of political events with friends and friends.
4. Voting in elections and referendums.
5. Agitation work to familiarize the broad masses with a political party or candidate.
6. Persuasion of the population in the need to vote them (and in some certain way).
7. Participation in meetings and rallies.
8. Appeal and interaction with power structures, as well as their individual representatives.
9. The political activity of the person (nomination of his own candidacy, work as a member of the leadership of a public organization or party, deputy, minister, etc.).

In addition, there are not yet conventional forms of behavior that are aimed at challenging the current state of affairs. These include:

1. Signing of petitions.
2. Physical presence in demonstrations that were not allowed.
3. Participation in the boycott.
4. Refusal to pay taxes to the state treasury.
5. The seizure of buildings of state bodies, enterprises, sit-ins.
6. Blocking traffic.
7. Active participation in spontaneous movements.

And now let's talk more specifically about how the forms of political behavior differ. Various aspects and features will be considered.

Political participation

So, this means citizens' activity, which is aimed at forming and supporting the activities of state and public institutions. It can take the following forms:

1. Support for parties and individual candidates during the election campaign.
2. Voting for people and organizations in elections.
3. Creation and active activity in public associations, parties, movements, interest groups.
4. This includes participation in political actions.

In addition, it can take an open and mediated 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 at any stage where decisions need to be made. The second form envisages the delegation of the right to a specific person to represent a group of citizens in some body (for example, the State Duma). What can you say about them? It is believed that open forms of political behavior - this is the manifestation of real democracy in the state. Opponents of this thesis often indicate the apathy of citizens, as well as a relatively low level of education. So, the negative side of open forms is considered to be that the opinion of the majority can be 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 means the activity of citizens, which is connected with the delegation of authority to represent individual citizens. The nature and activity of electoral behavior can be affected by such factors as the social position of a person, education, religiosity, the level of his income, his place of residence and other such factors. Also in certain countries, the registration system is influenced by the voter registration system, the peculiarities of party systems, and, in addition, the population of the country. If we talk about the mass, then the trend is that the inhabitants of Europe are considered the most active, 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 know 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 established political system. Criticism can give way, or it's all, or some of its structures. In real life, protest is expressed as a rally, procession, demonstration, strike, civil disobedience action and picketing. With the aggravation of the confrontation, group, and even mass, violent actions can occur.

Absenteeism

This is the situation where 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. As the reason for absenteeism, they call apathy, indifference to the processes occurring in the country, disillusionment 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 picked up unsuccessfully. This is largely due to the fact that it is used relatively recently and has not yet been able to take deep roots. 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 manifest his participation by voting in elections, attending rallies and demonstrations. At the same time, if there is a desire, then it is also possible for him to show political passivity when the main body of information does not reach him. And those data that a person could get acquainted with, they are perceived with a certain degree of phlegmatic.

What is political behavior like?

From the point of view of continuity, the following forms are distinguished:

1. Traditional. It corresponds to the established political ideas or is typical for the given territory.
2. Innovative. It is meant in those cases when new patterns 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:

1. Constructive. This means that the behavior shown helps to maintain the normal functioning of the political system, which operates in the given territory.
2. Destructive. This means that the political behavior of a person undermines the order established in the given territory.

In addition, you can still focus on the number:

1. Individual political behavior. This includes actions that can make one person. They must necessarily have a certain socio-political significance. An example is a public utterance or practical action.
2. Group political behavior. This includes the activities of spontaneously formed groups of people or organizations.
3. Mass political behavior. The most numerical forms. These include elections, referendums, demonstrations and rallies.

For the latter two, emotional "infection" is characteristic.

Elections

As you can see, there are different forms and types of political behavior. But the most popular are the elections. During their conduct, the electoral behavior of citizens is of the greatest interest to the researchers of this process. They are looking for answers to such questions: who 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 emerge. It should be noted that electoral behavior largely depends on a number of features. So, in countries where there is already a long-standing party system, voters' relations with their representative groups and individuals are fairly stable. Every election they vote for "their own". As a rule, they focus on real results and what the parties want to realize. And they are selected in such a way that their interests most closely correspond to the needs of the individual. Although there is also a fairly broad group and individual commitment. In such cases, your voice is given not so much for the idea and program, as for the person. The above can interact, contradict and sometimes overlap one by one. This leads to the fact that in countries even with the same regimes there are different forms of political behavior. Examples in this case are famous powers like the United States and Great Britain. So, recently on "Brexit" 72% of inhabitants of the United Kingdom have come. While in the United States, about a third of the population go to the polls.

Features

Quite popular among the masses is absenteeism. To prevent connivance on the part of citizens, many states are taking various measures. So, in Greece, voting is compulsory, and if someone ignores this "right", then it will be hit on the pocket. Others introduce a certain norm (for example, 50% or 30% of the total number of voters) of people who must come to the will to be considered valid. Also for these purposes the mechanism of mass media is widely used. Thanks to the media, you can get information about a particular policy (or party). In addition, the media are engaged in the fact that people are agitating to overcome indifference and apathy and go to polling stations.

Conclusion

Here we have considered forms of political behavior and their characteristics. The information provided is not enough to fully understand the political life, but at the same time, it allows creating 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 order to achieve the country's prosperous prosperity. Given that we are approaching the elections, it is necessary to take advantage of at least such an opportunity to influence the elected government. At the same time, it is necessary to take a balanced approach to your choice and pay attention to district candidates. After all, in fact, they will represent a certain territory, and protect its interests.