1. Power and Income Inequality Dr Maurice Mullard 26 February 2008

2. Political theories of Power Theory of Class Theory of Elites Theory of Pluralism

3. Theory of Class Classical Marx – class and the logic of capitalism who owns what the important question of understanding power Theory of class struggles dynamic theory ebbing and flowing The role of the State Ask the question who gets what How to explain income inequalities a question of class

4. Theory of Elites Sharing of social backgrounds Elites sources of power income knowledge Coherent or competing elites Study of CEOS concentration of income lobbying access to power financial contributions Public servants and politicians

5. Theory of Pluralism Study of competing interests Countervailing powers Checks and Balances Modern use of the Internet blogging break up of power elites Technology and democracy Ask question who gets what Answer issue of access to power different groups Competing elites

6. Relevance of theory in Britain of 2007 Capitalism and Class income inequalities Elites emergence of new elites Pluralism and knowledge Idea of bounded pluralism Functional democracy the role of interest groups access to politics

7. Case Studies Tax reductions and public expenditure who gains who loses Law and Order Terrorism and race as political priorities Defence contracts Funding of Political Parties Global Warming the environment who gains who loses from environment taxes

8. Case Studies Health reforms resistance of doctors and trade unions NICE and drugs Post office closures rural areas Hunting with dogs countryside lobby War on Terror defence spending

9. Common Themes Lobbying for resources – role of interest groups Interest groups and individual citizens Political advertising Role of the news media Constructing political agendas