SOC100 Lecture 12: Political Sociology I - Power and Domination
21 Mar 2018
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Document Summary
Politics is the most obvious way to organize a society. Power (macht) is the ability to get your way including violence or economic coercion (even if others oppose you or are unwilling to obey) Domination (herrschaft) they go along with the command rather than trying to resist it (people obey because they believe it"s valid) Weber explains social hierarchies in terms of motives we might have for obeying someone. Legitimate authority: a reason or motive for obedience; the justification for following the commands of a particular person. Weber identifies 3 basic types of domination; differentiated by the sort of reason for obedience: Rational: legal, rational processes eg; prime minister. Traditional: tradition makes this person have authority- heredity eg; parents. Charismatic: you are inspired by this person/see a gift eg; martin luther king. Any action can include more than one reason. Critical theory- people who follow are tricked/coerced. Symbolic interactionism- people who obey have reasons for doing so.
