SOC101Y1 Chapter Notes - Chapter 14: Islamism, Bourgeoisie, Al-Qaeda
If it is widely accepted as legitimate or valid, it is becomes legitimate
authority
▪
If not, non-authorities form social movements to change all or part of the
social order
▪
Power is the ability of an individual or group to impose its will on others, even if
they resist
○
Normal politics : as it is practised, when authority is in power
○
Politics beyond the rules : as it is practised when legitimacy of authority grows
weak
○
State is a set of institutions that exercise control over society
▪
Individuals in civil society also exercise control over the stable (individual
movements, lobbying, etc.)
▪
We live in a heterogenous society with many competing interests and
centres of power
□
No one group can control politics --> democracy guarantees
□
Over time, all voters and interest groups influence the political process
almost equally
□
Pluralist Theory
▪
Elites are people who occupy command positions of a society's
institutions - make decisions for everyone
□
People who run largest companies, executive branch of government,
and military
□
Research has found large, persistent wealth-based inequalities in
political influence and participation
Poorer/lower classes participate the least in politics, create the
least change
Elitist Critique of Pluralism
□
The state is an arm of the business elite
Members of the wealthy families occupy important state
positions, government officials rely on representatives of
businesses for advice, political parties rely on big business for
financial
Capitalist state acts as an arm of big business because it is
constrained to do so by the nature of the capitalist system itself
Ordinary citizens rarely have influence on policy
Marxist Critique of Elite Theory
□
Elite Theory
▪
Power from Above : Normal Politics
○
“Politics and Social Movements,” in Commit Sociology, vol 2 p64-88
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January 25, 2017
12:00 PM
READINGS Page 139
Document Summary
Politics and social movements, in commit sociology, vol 2 p64-88. Power is the ability of an individual or group to impose its will on others, even if they resist. If it is widely accepted as legitimate or valid, it is becomes legitimate authority. If not, non-authorities form social movements to change all or part of the social order. Normal politics : as it is practised, when authority is in power. Politics beyond the rules : as it is practised when legitimacy of authority grows weak. State is a set of institutions that exercise control over society. Individuals in civil society also exercise control over the stable (individual movements, lobbying, etc. ) We live in a heterogenous society with many competing interests and centres of power. No one group can control politics --> democracy guarantees. Over time, all voters and interest groups influence the political process almost equally.
