POLS 112 Lecture 1: Theoretical Framework and Perspectives
15 May 2018
School
Department
Course
Professor
Elite Theory vs. Pluralist Theory
Elites retain power
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Elites: At the top of the pyramid
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Masses: Everybody else
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Elite Theory:
Many groups exist
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No one group keeps power forever
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True competition for power
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Pluralist Theory:
Politics:
"Who gets what, when, and how" -Harold Laswell
Create laws, enforce laws
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Always have some form of power
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Government is the most powerful institution
Government is a political institutions
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Institutions: Established customs, practices, or relationships within society
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An institution which makes decisions over who gets what, when, and how
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A political institution which rules over a designated are or territory and consists of law making and
law enforcement
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What Is A Government?
Only governments can legitimately imprison or execute citizens
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Has a monopoly on physical coercion
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What Makes a Government The Most Powerful Institution?
"Man is a political animal by nature" -Aristotle
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To avoid chaos and anarchy, human beings naturally form into groups of leaders and
followers
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Natural Development
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Created through desire of power and resources
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When a nation extends authority through political or economic needs, government is
created
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Conquest
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Example: The Pope
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Example: North Korean Leadership
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A leader rises above through divine right
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Divine Right
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"Government will protect their right to property and liberty"
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"Citizens would abide by the governments laws and recognize that government
as their leader
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American Government created through "Social Contract"
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Can originate through an agreement between individuals and their institutions
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Contract
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Origins Of A Government
Lecture 1 - Theoretical Framework and Perspectives
Monday, April 2, 2018
3:18 PM
POLS 112 Page 1
