Sociology 1020 Lecture 12: Politics

• School: Western University
• Department: Sociology
• Course: Sociology 1020
• Professor: Agata Piekosz

Document Summary

Politics is a machine that determines who gets what, when and how . Power: the ability to control others, even against their will. Legitimate when people regard its use as morally correct or justi ed. Institutionalized when norms and statuses of social organizations govern its use. The state consists of the institutions responsible for formulating and carrying out a country"s laws and public policies. The state decides where tax dollars go (ex. disabled people, public programs, etc) In performing these functions, the state regulates citizens in civil society. Civil society: the private sphere of social life. Authoritarian states sharply restrict citizen control of the state. Totalitarian state is when citizens lack almost any control of the state. Democracy, citizens excessive a high degree of control over the state. As a result, no group enjoys disproportionate in uence. Decisions are usually reached through negotiation and compromise. Balanced approach, seeks equilibrium (rooted in functionalist tradition)