Towards a left-wing Political Science.ppt

Some thoughts on progressive Political Science

1. Towards a Left-wing,
Progressive Political Science?
Some Thoughts
PhuaKai Lit, PhD (Johns Hopkins)
Retired public health & sociology
professor (Monash University
Malaysia School of Medicine and
Health Sciences)

2. Lecture Objectives
The problem with mainstream political science
Oligarchy or genuine democracy in so-called
“democratic” Western countries?
Why do racist and fascist movements persist?
Analysis of propaganda in politics
The retreat of the Welfare State in the West, with
worsening inequality
The persistent problem of sexism
Why are Third World countries mired in
authoritarian/military governments and mostly
corrupt? Kleptocratic rule. Failed states.
Neocolonialism, war and pacifism

3. The Problem with Mainstream
Political Science
Everyday, real life politics often does not conform to
what is presented in Introduction to Political
Science textbooks
For example, public policies often do not follow the
wishes of the people (as revealed in public opinion
polls). Is this really “democracy” (rule by the
People)? Or rule by certain elite groups via their
lobbyists, and “bought politicians”?
In many countries, people cannot speak their minds
or express themselves freely for fear of prosecution
or worse by the “authorities”
There is great economic inequality in most
countries and also, between nations.
Racism, sexism and resulting discrimination are
widespread

4. Goals of Progressive Political
Science
Help make the political system more democratic i.e.
politicians listen to the people and pass laws and
make public policies that reflect their wishes
Promote majority rule plus minority rights
Help to reduce inequality and combat
discrimination on the basis of ethnicity, gender, age,
religion, language group etc.
Help to bring about Welfare States that take care of
the basic needs of the people i.e. access to medical
care, education, decent housing, public transport,
minimum wage, Universal Basic Income etc
Help to bring about societies that are tolerant
of/respect differences such as cultural differences,
different religions, different lifestyles etc

5. Genuine Democracy or
Oligarchy?
Genuine democracy or bourgeois democracy
(domination by an oligarchic elite) in Western
“democratic” countries?
Radical political scientists and sociologists say that
“democracy” in nations like the USA is not genuine
but actually consists of rule by an oligarchy.
American sociologist C. Wright Mills called this the
“Power Elite” in his book of the same name.
In Malaysia, our so-called “democracy” is
accompanied by gerrymandering,
malapportionment, internal security laws that stifle
freedom of speech, freedom of assembly etc.

6. Why does Racism and Fascism
Persist?
2020s -comeback of fascism in Europe and the
USA
Modern fascism emerged in post WW1 Italy and
Germany and led to terrible death and destruction
during the Second World War.
Fascism is characterised by repressive rule,
militarism, ultranationalism and often, racism too.
In early 2024, fascist regimes are in power in
Poland and Hungary.
Fascism is growing in strength in USA, France and
Germany, as of June 2024.
Civil rights of African-Americans (gained during
1960s) are under attack in the USA.

7. Analysis of Propaganda
Louis Althusser -he discussed how the “ideological
state apparatus” (such as government schools and
government-owned mass media) and the
“repressive state apparatus” (such as the police,
courts, military etc) work in tandem to preserve the
control of capitalist societies by the bourgeoisie.
Antonio Gramsci -he argued that the “ideological
hegemony” of ruling class ideas influences working
class people and makes them accept capitalist
systems of domination, oppression and
exploitation.
Noam Chomsky -he argued that limitations placed
on political discourse in capitalist societies like USA
help to preserve oligarchic rule (by giving ordinary
people the illusion of freedom of speech and
democratic rule).

8. Erosion of the Welfare State in
Rich Countries
Neoliberalism, beginning with Margaret Thatcher in
Britain and Ronald Reagan in USA, targeted the
Welfare State by promoting alternatives such as
entrepreneurship, privatisation and downsizing of
government, tax cuts for the already wealthy,
reduction in government spending (especially on
social welfare programmes)
Thatcher called her programme “Rolling back
socialism”
Reagan called his “Getting government off the
backs of the people”
Is the return of fascism in the West linked to
neoliberalism and its attacks on the Welfare State
safety net? I believe so.

9. Sexism means stereotyping, prejudice and
discrimination against females solely because of their
biological sex.
In the 21st century, there continues to be persistent
sexism and unequal treatment of women all over the
world. For example, women in Afghanistan are
treated especially badly by its ruling theocratic
regime.
The outcome of sexism for women: lower educational
achievement, discrimination in hiring and promotion in
the world of paid work, lower pay for equal work as
compared to men, sexual harassment at work,
domestic violence, poorer mental health etc.
Sexism

10. 10
Dismal Condition of Many Third
World Countries Today
Post-World War Two optimism over
decolonisation versus the sorry state of many
Third World nations today
Authoritarian regimes, including military
dictatorships ruling over poor nations (with a
small number of wealthy people but masses of
poor people)
Kleptocracy (rule by thieves), kakistocracy (rule
by the worst elements in a society)
Failing states/failed states e.g. Somalia in a
state of anarchy. Haiti -terrorised by gangs.

11. 11
Neocolonialism, War, Pacifism
Neocolonialism -politically independent in
theory but continue to be dominated politically
by foreign powers (e.g. USA and France), and
economically by foreign-owned corporations.
“Banana republics” of central America.
Anarchy in the present international system of
nation-states -“might is right” e.g. Russia’s
invasion of Ukraine. Must strengthen
international law.
Concept of Just War e.g. a war is “just’ if a
country is defending itself against invaders
Pacifism is weak -failure of League of
Nations, UN failure in preventing wars today.

12. Thank You