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Politics and Power: Understanding Authority and Voting Patterns

Explore the dynamics of power and authority in politics, including different types of governments, voting patterns, and sociological perspectives. Gain insights into the U.S. political system and how power is distributed.

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Politics and Power: Understanding Authority and Voting Patterns

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  1. Chapter 16: Politics

  2. Chapter Overview • Power, Authority, and Violence • The U.S. Political System • Types of Governments • Voting Patterns • Sociological Perspectives and Politics

  3. Politics • Politics is always about power and authority. • The process by which power is distributed and decisions are made. • Every society must have a system of leadership • Leaders delegate orders so members may complete task and the overall goals shall be accomplished • Power is necessary in order to accomplish such goals and tasks.

  4. Power: Ability to get your way despite resistance Two Types of Power Power, Authority, and Violence Authority Legitimate Power Very stable and obedience to it is accepted as a social norm. Authority Legitimate Power Very stable and obedience to it is accepted as a social norm. Coercion Illegitimate power Unstable and will eventually fail.

  5. Traditional Authority – Authority based on custom or tradtion, we will always know who is next in line Ruler’s word is the law Authority is not based on tradition and family background Examples: British Royal Family, parenting Rational-Legal Authority – Authority is based on written rules; we may not know who is next in line, but we know how they will be elected Authority is closely linked to the government. Ruler’s word is subject to law. 3 Types of Authority (Weber)

  6. Charismatic Authority – a person becomes an authority figure because of his/her outstanding traits Exceptional personal qualities that inspires others Challenge the status quo or laws They can inspire followers to overthrow traditional or bureaucratic authorities. Transfer of authority is problematic 2 ways authority can be transferred: The authority figure can appoint someone The authority figure can build an organization out of which comes rational-legal authority; this is referred to as Routinization of Charisma 3 Types of Authority (con’t.)

  7. Monarchies A type of political system that transfers power from generation to generation. Democracy A system in which power and authority is exercised by the people as a whole. “Power to the People” Direct democracy or participatory Eligible voters meet together to discuss issues and make their decisions. Indirect democracy or representative Voters elect representatives to govern and make decisions on their behalf. Women’s rights, civil rights, and social rights

  8. Authoritarian Regimes Power is held by one leader or a small elite who govern without constitutional limits and who recognize a responsibility only to themselves Dictatorship A political system of arbitrary rule by a single individual Oligarchy Small group of elites who wield power and are accountable only to themselves

  9. Authoritarian Regimes Totalitarian Regimes Seek to regulate all aspects of life and transform individuals and societies in the name of a utopian vision Dictatorships and Oligarchies are examples of Totalitarianism (total control by the government)

  10. The U.S. Political System Republicans Older Middle to Upper Social Classes Conservative Less government Democrats Younger Minority Groups Women more than men Liberal Working classes More government

  11. Non-Hispanic Whites Most Likely to Vote African Americans Next Most Likely Latinos Least Likely to Vote Social integration The more people feel they have a stake in the system, the more likely they are to vote Voter Apathy is present in the U.S.: indifference to voting Characteristics of a likely voter White, older, more educated, affluent, female, and employed Voting Patterns

  12. Functionalist Perspective: Pluralism (Diffusion Among Many) The functionalist perspective believes that the U.S. is ruled by many different groups There is a check and balance between the main branches of the government: Legislative, Judicial, and Executive Functionalist Perspective

  13. Conflict Perspective: The Power Elite (C. Wright Mills and Dumhoff) rule the government The Power Elite are made up of top governmental officials, heads of the military, and CEO’s of large corporations Information gets passed along to the members of this group No major decisions get made without their approval Conflict Perspective

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