Chapter 13

 Politics is the social institution through which power is acquired and exercised by some people and groups.  Government is the formal organization that has the legal and political authority to regulate relationships among members of a society and between the society and those outside its borders. (sometimes referred to as the “state”

 Power is the ability of persons or groups to achieve their goals despite opposition from others. Is this influenced by the media?  Authority is the power that people accept as legitimate.

 Traditional (long standing customs) Kings, Queens, Emperors, religious dignitaries  Charismatic (personality, gain loyalty) politicians, soldiers, entertainers  Napoleon  Hitler  MLK  Rational–legal (power by law) elected officials

 Monarchy - A political system in which power resides in one person or family and is passed from generation to generation through lines of inheritance.  Authoritarianism - A political system controlled by rulers who deny popular participation in government.

 Totalitarianism - A political system in which the state seeks to regulate all aspects of people's public and private lives.  Democracy - A political system in which the people hold the ruling power either directly or through elected representatives.

 The functions of government: maintain law and order plan and direct society meet social needs handle international relations  Pluralist model… suggests that power in government is widely dispersed throughout many interest groups (government is a arbiter ). Special interest groups (promote interests) Political action committees (raise funds)

 Power in political systems is in the hands of a small group of elites and the masses are relatively powerless.  Decisions are made by the elites, who agree on the basic values and goals of society.  The needs and concerns of the masses are not often given full consideration by the elite.

 Develop and articulate policy positions.  Educate voters about issues and simplify the choices for them.  Recruit candidates, help them win office, hold them responsible for implementing the party’s positions.

 10% of the voting-age population participates at a level higher than voting.  Over the past 40 years, less than half the voting-age population has voted in nonpresidential elections.  In many other Western nations, the average turnout is 80 to 90% of all eligible voters.

Conservative argument:  People are satisfied with the status quo, are uninformed and lack an understanding of government processes. Liberal argument:  People feel alienated from politics due to corruption and influence peddling by special interests and large corporations.

 Much of the political power in the US is established through the government’s bureaucracy. Policies are made by committees and subcommittees that are made up of politicians and strong influences from the private sector.

 The social institution that ensures the maintenance of society through the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services.  Goods are objects that are necessary or desired.  Services are activities for which people are willing to pay.

 Land – raw materials.  Labor - the group of people who contribute their physical and intellectual services to the production process in return for wages.  Capital - wealth owned or used in business by a person or corporation.

1. New forms of energy, mechanization, and the growth of the factory system. 2. Increased division of labor and specialization among workers. 3. Universal application of scientific methods to problem solving and profit making.

Four distinctive features: 1. Private ownership of the means of production. 2. Pursuit of personal profit. 3. Competition. 4. Lack of government intervention.

Three distinctive features: 1. Public ownership of the means of production. 2. Pursuit of collective goals. 1. Looks to benefit all 3. Centralized decision-making. 1. Few truly socialist systems 2. Most use a political process (democratic socialism)

 Mixed economies combine elements of both capitalism and command systems. The government steps in to benefit and protect the people. They encourage growth and efficiency Regulate monopolies and oligopolies.

 Large corporations can exert major influence and power over many. Towns and cities revolve around their employment. Governments contract out to many and hire their employees. Multi Nationals influence political processes in less developed countries.

 Cyclical - result of lower rates of production during recessions. Flow with business cycles  Seasonal - result of shifts in the demand for workers based on seasons.  Structural - skills needed by employers do not match skills of unemployed.  Frictional – unemployment experienced while looking for a job.

 In recent years, strike activity has diminished as workers fear losing their jobs.  In 2002 only 19 strikes involving more than 1,000 workers were reported.  Number of workers involved in the actions declined from more than 2.5 million in 1971 to 192,000 in  Labor Union membership has also declined.

 Workers with a disability make 85% (men) and 70% (women) of what coworkers without disabilities earn.  A survey of executives responsible for making hiring decision for their companies found that the average cost of workplace modifications to accommodate employees with a disability was less than $500.

 What effects may our society experience as a result of globalization?