Polsci

Intro to Political Science    Midterm One Study Questions
1.      (Political Actors and Power) Identify two of the major political actors in the first section of the novel (up to the death of Christian).  Discuss the source of power and legitimacy for each.  How did each use power to implement change or establish order? How successful was each? Why.  Be sure to be precise and use specific examples from the novel.
I think that Christian by far was the most notable political figure in this book. He had legitimacy from his aristocratic social status in England, he had rank as far as his Navy career went, and a take charge attitude that captured everyone's loyalty. At   first Christian had the opportunity to take control, and for a time he did. But he started losing legitimacy when he told people not to act formal around him. He lost even more power and gained more enemies by taking away the Polynesians’ Say. Whenever a crisis would arise, he would be the political figure to take control of the situation. But a leader must always act as a leader, and eventually Christian lost control. The Polynesians were angry at the lack of control that Christian had, and they acted as another government I believe. And by the time that it was time for the men to vote on whether or not they would divide the land amongst each other, Christian had both lost all of his initial legitimacy, and the support or even preference of the Polynesians.
Another political player was Tetahiti, it was he who decided to take action against the whites.  Tetahiti, was a young chief from Tupuai, who had left his island because of the friendship he felt for Christian. It also looked like Tetahiti sort of leached of Christians power, acknowledging his legitimacy as substantial."I can never return to my own land," the other replied. "Where you lead, I shall follow."He was very direct and upfront when something bothered him, "This is our marae," he explained, "where we come to worship our god." It seemed... [continues]

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