Welfare Services - Sociological Imagination - Lecture Slides, Slides of Sociology

Download Welfare Services - Sociological Imagination - Lecture Slides and more Slides Sociology in PDF only on Docsity! CHAPTER 11: POLITICS docsity.com GOVERNMENT • A government has the authority to make and enforce laws. – Maintain order – Provide welfare services – Regulate the economy – Establish educational systems 1 docsity.com Weber's 3 Types of Authority TABLE 11.1 Weber's Three Types of Authority TYPE OF AUTHORITY DESCRIPTION SOURCE OF POWER EXAMPLES Traditional Power is based on customs, tradi- _ Personal Medieval kings and queens, tions, and/or religious beliefs. emperors, tribal chiefs Charismatic Power is based on exceptional Personal Adolf Hitler, Gandhi, Martin Luther personal abilities or a calling. King, Jr. Rational-legal Power is based on the rules Formal U.S, presidents, Congressional and laws that are inherent in an members, state officials, police, elected or appointed office. judges docsity.com Application • Identify the type of authority: – The governor has power over the state because she was elected. – A father has power in a family because of religious beliefs. – A politician has power because of his exceptional personality. docsity.com GLOBAL POLITICAL SYSTEMS • Democracy—a political system in which citizens control the state – Democracy does not always guarantee equality. – 46% of the global population lives in democracies. 3 docsity.com Application • Identify the type of political system: – Oyo Nyimba Kabamba-Iguru is the king of Uganda. – North Korea is ruled by a dictator. – The president of the United States is elected by the people. docsity.com POWER AND POLITICS IN U.S. SOCIETY • Political party—an organization that tries to influence and control government by recruiting, nominating, and electing its members • U.S. has a two-party system. 4 docsity.com • Republicans tend to be older, college graduates, male, white, Protestant, and have higher incomes and more prestigious occupations. • Democrats are more likely to be women, minorities, and the working class. 4 Party Affiliation docsity.com • Special-interest groups—voluntary and organized associations of people attempting to influence public policy on particular issues • Lobbyist—a representative of a special- interest group who tries to influence political decisions 4 Special Interests docsity.com Discussion Do special-interest groups and lobbyists have too much power? 4 docsity.com • Campaign contributions are an important factor in winning elections. – Hard money comes from donations that the Federal Election Commission regulates. – Soft money is any contribution that is not regulated by federal election law. 4 Campaign Money docsity.com Discussion Should there be limits on campaign contributions and PACs? 4 docsity.com WHO VOTES, WHO DOESN'T, AND WHY • On average, about half of U.S. citizens vote. • U.S. has a much lower rate of voter turn-out than other countries. 5 docsity.com Voter Turnout This map shows the deg rights and civil liberties, j include free and fair ele, against minorities, Civil freedom to Practic teachers, physical ctions, competitive partie liberties include freedom of Speech ai € one's religion; and the fre. professors, and students Violence or intimidation b Ind the Dress; ‘edom of administrators, to discuss Political issues without fear of y the government. Source: Freedom House 20083, docsity.com Registration and voting varies by: – Race and ethnicity—whites are more likely to vote. Candidates are increasingly courting minorities. – Religion—Jews and mainline Protestants are more likely to vote. Religious affiliation influences party affiliation. 5 docsity.com Registration and voting varies by: – Attitudes—Many Americans are cynical about politics. – Situational and structural factors—Political participation can be influenced by illness, out- of-town travel, transportation or registration problems. 5 docsity.com Discussion Why are many potential voters cynical about politics? 5 docsity.com • Feminist theorists argue for a patriarchal model. – Women are generally excluded from the most important political positions. – Women are gaining in power but have been limited in the past by our patriarchal society. 6 docsity.com Application • Identify the theoretical perspective: – The U.S. is ruled by white males. – The U.S. is ruled by a few people including CEOs, military generals, and high ranking elected officials. – Political leaders speak for a majority of the people. docsity.com