Essentials of Sociology Fourth Edition

Chapter Eleven Politics and the Economy Leadership and Work in the Global Village
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Chapter Overview
Power, Authority, and Violence Types of Government The U.S. Political System Who Rules the U.S.? The Transformation of Economic Systems World Economic Systems Capitalism in a Global Economy

Copyright (c) 2002 by Allyn & Bacon

Power, Authority, and Violence

*Power - the ability to get your way, even over the resistance of others. *Authority legitimate power,as pointed out by Max Weber Coercion illegitimate power that people do not accept as just.

Copyright (c) 2002 by Allyn & Bacon

Copyright (c) 2002 by Allyn & Bacon

Types of Authority
Traditional authority - based on custom.
Rational- Legal authority - based on written rules.

Charismatic authority - based on an individuals outstanding traits, which attract followers.

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Types of Government
*Monarchies - when a king or queen has the right to rule. This form of government was utilized by early city states. Democracies - a system of government in which authority derives from the people. Dictatorship - power is seized by an individual. **Oligarchy - when a small group seizes power.
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The U.S. Political System

By the time of the Civil War, two parties dominated U.S. politics; the Republicans and Democrats. Voting increases with age and education, employment, and income. The most likely voters are those who feel they have a stake in the political system. Those least likely to vote are poor, younger, less educated, unemployed Latinos. Voter Apathy results in indifference and Copyright (c) of 2002 individuals by Allyn & Bacon inaction on the part or groups in 7

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Who Rules the United States?

The Functionalist view: Pluralism - a diffusion of power among many interest groups that prevents any one group from gaining control. The Conflict View: **The Power Elite the top leaders who wield power and make decisions that direct the country.

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Copyright (c) 2002 by Allyn & Bacon

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The Transformation of Economic Systems

Economy - a system of producing and distributing goods and services. The economy has changed over time:
**(1) a subsistence economy (2)industrial societies (3)postindustrial societies
a global village - the worlds nations linked by fast communications, transportation, and trade.
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Ominous Trends in the U.S.

Many Americans find their standard of living declining. The income inequality gap has increased. Americans are saving less. The U.S. used to be the worlds largest creditor, now it is the largest debtor. Some fear that we may end up with a two-thirds society.

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World Economic Systems Capitalism

**Capitalism - (1) private ownership, (2)market competition, and (3) the pursuit of profit. The U.S. is an example of welfare or state capitalism - private citizens own the means of production, but they do so within a vast system of laws. This form of capitalism tends to lead to inequality.
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World Economic Systems Socialism

Socialism - (1) public ownership of the means of production, (2) central planning, (3) the distribution of goods without a profit motive. A central committee decides supply and demand. It is designed to eliminate competition. Everyone works for the government.
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Capitalism in a Global Economy

The dominance of capitalism is rooted in a social invention called the corporation. Corporation - a business that is treated in law as a person. Corporate capitalism - how corporations now dominate the economy. Multinational corporations corporations that operate across national borders.
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Copyright (c) 2002 by Allyn & Bacon

Copyright (c) 2002 by Allyn & Bacon

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