Governmental Strategies of Influence

Introduction to Governmental Influence

• Governments use obvious and subtle strategies to influence citizens.
  • Obvious: Armies and police forces with authority.
  • Subtle: Cultural symbols like money with leaders' faces, founding myths, impressive buildings, and religious justifications.

Suleyman I

• Titles: Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, Suleyman the Lawgiver/Magnificent.
• Achievements: Ruled for 46 years, expanded empire, reformed legal system.
• Significance of Titles: Reflect power and governance methods of the Ottoman Empire.

Land-Based Empires (1450-1750)

• Rise of Empires: Post-Mongol Empire collapse.
• Key Empires: Ottoman, Russian, Safavid, Mughal, Ming, and Qing.
• Characteristics: Known as "gunpowder empires" due to military technology.

Governance Themes of Empires

1. Centralized Authority:
   • Power concentrated in emperor's hands.
   • Emergence of large bureaucracies for tasks like tax collection.
2. Role of Religion:
   • Integral to governance and authority.
   • Religious influence varied:
     • Russia: Orthodox Church and Tsars.
     • Ottoman: Sunni Islam under Sultan.
     • Safavid: State religion of Shia Islam.
     • China: Varied religious acceptance.
   • Religious tolerance practiced for stability.

Focus on the Ottoman Empire

• Suleyman’s Titles Explained:
  • Caliph: Religious/political successor to Prophet Muhammad.
  • Custodian: Control of Mecca and Medina.
  • Majestic Caesar: Successor of Roman Empire.
• Governance Systems:
  • Millet System:
    • Religious communities self-govern under loyalty to Sultan.
    • Prevents revolts by various faiths.
  • Devshirme System:
    • Enslavement of Balkan Christian boys.
    • Boys trained as soldiers/bureaucrats, achieving high ranks.

Conclusion

• Land-based empires were powerful through the 18th century.
• Decline began as European overseas empires rose in challenge.