Politics as a Social Institution

    1.  Theoretical Perspectives

    a.  Functionalist – state – establishing and coordinating social goal-attainment, e.g. self defense.

    b. Conflict -  ultimate source of power, employed by some groups to maintain their control over other groups and gain benefits.  Mutually supportive relationship with leaders in the economy

  2.  U.S. Political System

    a.  Freedom and the Constitution

    b.  Structure of Political Power

    c. Pluralist Model

    d. Power Elite?

    e. Political Participation


  3.  Power – an individual can achieve his or her will against another individual’s opposition.

    Means – force – physical (army, police, prisons)
          - influence – ideological (religion, party ideology e.g. conservatism)

   
Authority – legitimate power – people believe the differences in power are just and proper

    Traditional – relies on norms that govern the selection of someone to a powerful position (chief, king, e.g. Queen Elizabeth II)

    Charismatic – exceptional and exemplary qualities of the person who issues the commands (e.g. MLK, Jr.)

    Legal-rational – impersonal rules that formally specify the qualifications for occupying a powerful position (U. S. Constitution – election – president e.g. Ronald Regan)

4.  Forms of Government

    Democracy – direct, indirect (representative government)

Authoritarian – no separation of power, a single individual or group or social class holds all power

Totalitarian – control by a single political party led by a dictator
        - unchallenged official ideology
        - suppresses dissent and opposition
        - centralized control over media and economy


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