Chapter 10: Politics and Government

The Real World:An Introduction to Sociology, 4th Ed.

What Are Social Institutions?

• Social institutions are systems and structures that shape the activities of groups and individuals in society.

• You can’t “visit” a social institution—it is a structure, not a place. Politics, education, and religion are examples of institutions.

2

What Is Politics?• Politics: the methods and

tactics of managing a nation or state, as well as administering and controlling its internal and external affairs

What Is Politics?(cont’d.)

• Government: the formal, organized agency that exercises power and control in modern society, especially through the creation and enforcement of laws

What Is Politics?(cont’d.)

• Power is the ability to impose one’s will on others.

• Authority is the noncoercive, legitimate exercise of power.

Types of Political Systems

• Authoritarianism is a system of government by and for a small number of elites that does not include representation of ordinary citizens.

Types of Political Systems (cont’d.)

• A dictatorship is one form of an authoritarianism system; usually a dictator does not gain power by being elected or through succession but rather seizes power and becomes an absolutist ruler.

Types of Political Systems (cont’d.)

• Totalitarianism is the most extreme and modern form of authoritarianism, in which the government seeks to control every aspect of citizens’ lives.

Types of Political Systems (cont’d.)

• A monarchy is government by a king or queen, with succession of rulers kept within the family. • Absolute monarchies typically have

complete authority over their subjects.• Constitutional monarchs are royal

figures whose powers are defined by a political charter and limited by a parliament or other governing body.

Types of Political Systems (cont’d.)

• A democracy is a political system in which all citizens have the right to participate.

Pluralist Theory vs. Power Elite

• Pluralism: a system of political power where a wide variety of individuals and groups have equal access to resources and power.

Pluralist Theory vs. Power Elite (cont’d.)

• C. Wright Mills coined the term power elite — a relatively small number of people who control the economic, political, and military institutions of a society.

What Is Politics? (cont’d.)• Many people worry about the

influence of money in politics. Special interest groups are organizations that raise and spend money to influence elected officials or public opinion.

What Is Politics? (cont’d.)• In addition to special interest

groups, the mass media also impacts politics. For instance, many people form their beliefs based on information from opinion leaders.

• Opinion leaders are high-profile people who interpret events and influence the public.