Sociology - Power Flashcards

Study Notes

Power is defined as the ability of one party (A) to compel another party (B) to act against its will.
Influential roles such as teachers and police exemplify power dynamics in society.

Coercive Power: Utilizes physical force or threats, typically enforced by law enforcement; failure to comply can lead to incarceration.
Political Power: Resides in Parliament and leaders like the Prime Minister in the UK; they create laws that regulate societal behavior.
Influential Power: Arises from media, public opinion, or interest groups; it lacks formal authority but can impact government actions.

Power dynamics manifest in various institutions such as workplaces, schools, and families.
Pluralist perspective highlights societal consensus from diverse viewpoints, sharing power among various groups.
Conflict theory, particularly from Marxists, posits that power is concentrated among the economically dominant classes and ties closely to social stratification.

Authority refers to the recognized right to exercise power, granted typically through democratic means.
Legitimate power is often perceived as that which is exercised within a framework of authority.

Traditional Authority: Established through long-standing practices; consent is often implicit (e.g., monarchy).
Charismatic Authority: Relies on an individual's personal appeal and ability to inspire (e.g., religious leaders, figures like Gandhi).
Legal-Rational Authority: Basis in legal frameworks; derived from democratic elections (e.g., police officers, elected officials).

Democracy derives legitimacy from the legal-rational authority of elected governments through a process perceived as fair and inclusive, ensuring all votes carry equal weight.

Direct Democracy: Citizens make decisions directly, often through referendums; risks chaotic outcomes without a decisive leader.
Representative Democracy: Elected officials represent the interests of the populace, ensuring diverse societal representation; acts as an indirect form of democracy.
Participatory Democracy: Promotes involvement from every citizen in political processes, allowing opportunity for engagement regardless of active participation.

Citizenship encompasses legal membership in a state, entailing rights (e.g., education, free speech) and obligations, such as adherence to laws and tax responsibilities.

The Labour government encouraged active citizenship during Tony Blair's tenure, aiming to reverse political apathy through engagement in elections and awareness of political issues.
David Cameron's Big Society initiative aimed to enhance community involvement and civic engagement starting in 2010.

Actions for civic engagement include contacting Members of Parliament (MPs), running for public office, participating in elections or referendums, signing e-petitions, joining protests, and aligning with political parties or pressure groups.