Publication details
Changing roles in semi-open societies and in tributary relations
| Authors | |
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| Year of publication | 2023 |
| Type | Appeared in Conference without Proceedings |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Description | Analytic labels of “open” and “close” societies are not neutral markers in the description of political processes and democratization. On the contrary they are used as specific tools in political texts in an attempt to actively participate on formation of public opinion and decision making. This paper selects more neutral attitude reflecting these two labels. Because in fact: all human societies are to some degree semi-open with actors playing various roles in subgroups. While the scale of semi-openness can vary from society to society or subculture, there are rather universal patterns of power behavior in any societal unit. Relatively healthy participation at decision making is mostly possible in the conditions of inner diversity (spontaneously evolved or given by a law). Inner diversity is usually influenced by two interconnected factors or vectors: A) social and political hierarchy, B) horizontal variation. Strong horizontal variation and good economic conditions usually enable democratic processes, but in vertical hierarchy the rules and roles are highly restricted. Any vertical change is connected to power processes ranging from concurrence pressures to open violence. Actors on the highest level of semi-open societies have only limited options for choice and their changing roles in political processes are influenced by outer conditions/international relations and demands from own group. These restricted options are in principle universal and can represent some analytic bridge for systems in Western and Asian countries. Here these options will be analyzed on examples of Inner Asian tributary relations because Asian countries are also applying these patterns in relations with Europe. |
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