Changing roles in semi-open societies and in tributary relations

SCHWARZ, Michal. Changing roles in semi-open societies and in tributary relations. In Interdisciplinary Workshop "Democratisation, roles and discourse", 12. 9. 2023, University of Bonn. 2023.

Basic information

• Original name: Changing roles in semi-open societies and in tributary relations
• Authors: SCHWARZ, Michal.
• Edition: Interdisciplinary Workshop "Democratisation, roles and discourse", 12. 9. 2023, University of Bonn. 2023.

Other information

• Original language: English
• Type of outcome: Presentations at conferences
• Field of Study: 50601 Political science
• Country of publisher: Germany
• Confidentiality degree: is not subject to a state or trade secret
• WWW: Informace o konferenci bez programu
• Organization unit: Faculty of Arts
• Keywords in English: tributary relations;semi-open societies;power structure;political process
• Tags: International impact

Abstract

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.

Links

• GA23-06953S, research and development project: Name: Evoluční interference náboženství a vlády ve Vnitřní Asii: srovnání vzájemných impaktů s tributárními zeměmi: Mongolskem, Koreou a Vietnamem

Investor: Czech Science Foundation, Evolutionary interferences of religion and governance in Inner Asia: comparison of mutual impacts with tributary countries: Mongolia, Korea, Vietnam

• GM23-07108M, research and development project: Name: Proměnlivé adaptační strategie mobilních pastevců v Mongolsku: Dynamika v komunitních historiích a vzorcích stěhování dokumentovaná orálními prameny

Investor: Czech Science Foundation, Changing Adaptive Strategies of Mobile Pastoralists in Mongolia: Dynamics in Community Histories and Movement Patterns Documented Through Oral Sources