Political Sociology

1. Political Sociology

2. “Political Sociology” is the Study of the Social Organization of Power. • Power is the ability to impose one’s will on others. • Group Power(Weber’s term) is a group’s ability to do so and constitutes most political power. • Power is legitimate if it is recognised by the groups under control. • Legitimate power is the defining characteristic of authority. • When non-authorities seek to change power structures, they engage in social movements.

3. Power (and Politics) Exist in Many Settings. • Any setting in which force (coercion) is, or can be, used constitutes a political setting. • Most authorities use force rarely to maintain order- order is achieved tacitly. • Political settings in which force is rarely necessary reflect normal politics.

4. State Theories • The State is the ultimate authority, meaning that its authority stands above all others. • However, individuals in civil society also have control over the state, even in non-democratic societies. • Two very different theories have evolved to address the relationship between the State and civil society:

5. Pluralist Theory (W. Domhoff) • We live in a heterogeneous society with many competing interest and spheres of power. • Thus, no one group can control the State. • Politics must entail negotiation and compromise. • As long as society remains pluralist, democracy is guaranteed.

6. Elite Theory (C Wright Mills) • Elites are small groups that occupy the “command posts” of social institutions (major corporations, media, political party heads, etc). • Elites’ decisions profoundly affect the lives of all others in society. • Elites can make decisions without regard for elections or public opinion. • Elites are connected through social bonds, but maintain unique spheres of influence.

7. Criticisms of State Theories • Pluralist Theory: • It’s naïve. It does not acknowledge serious disparities in wealth and power. • Moreover, those disparities are self-perpetuating: Privilege begets privilege. • Elite Theory: • Elections are important and do effect changes in political structures. • Election victories often happen as the result of mobilization of non-elites.

8. Theories of Social Movements • Relative Deprivation Theory • Change occurs when people feel an intolerable gap between what they think they deserve and what they expect to receive. • This gap is called “relative deprivation.” • “Relative deprivation” is very different from “poverty” or “absolute deprivation.” • RDT has however been questioned because leaders in social movements are usually not “deprived,” relatively or otherwise.

9. Theories of Social Movements • Resource-Mobilization Theory • Social movement can only occur when the disadvantaged can marshal the resources to challenge authority. • Resources include social ties, jobs, money, weapons, and publicity, among others. • R-MT is mostly a description of social movements and not a “theory” per se, which makes it difficult to criticise or to evaluate.