Sociology SOCY121 Study Unit 1 Part 2 PDF

Sociology SOCY121 Study unit 1 part 2 Introduction to Sociology: Social Institutions Outcomes At the end of this chapter, you should be able to: define the concepts power, authority, government and state; describe the following types of authority: traditional, charismatic and rational- lega...

Sociology SOCY121 Study unit 1 part 2 Introduction to Sociology: Social Institutions Outcomes At the end of this chapter, you should be able to: define the concepts power, authority, government and state; describe the following types of authority: traditional, charismatic and rational- legal; describe the following types of governments: democratic, authoritarian, totalitarian and theocratic; compare and contrast democratic and authoritarian systems of government; and distinguish between power elite and pluralist models of power sharing. Readings Helliker, K. 2020. Politics and governance. In: Stewart, P. & Zaaiman, J. (eds.) Sociology: A Comprehensive South African Introduction (2nd Edition pp. 377-397). Cape Town: Juta Theoretical Perspectives on State and Society Sociologists have created various ways of looking at politics Link to existing sociological theories Pluralism Radical Marxism Elitisms Theories are in direct competition Each theory is linked to the notion Based on Emile Max Karl Marx of autonomy work of Durkheim Webber Autonomy: The relationship Notion of State has State has no State has between state and social groups in Autonomy complete autonomy relative society. autonomy autonomy Pluralism Liberal democratic societies marked by : Through the exercise of power government Substantive or actual democracy ultimately benefits society at large equally. No one group wins over another In which diffusion of power prevails Strengthened and guarded by important State mediates competing demands mechanisms and institutions No single group can monopolize resources Democracy exists in practice sense. Multiple sites of power Society is divided into different groups Different groups have varying degrees of It is impossible to please all groups influence at different times The state cannot meet the demands of all Politicians seek national interest groups/ people in society Pluralism continued Main mechanisms inhibiting concentration of Criticisms of Political parties power Alternative choice is illusionary Political parties Stephen Lukes: Faces of Party leaders have upper class backgrounds Power Parties have minimal involvement First Face: Examining power in terms of Selective about issues raised publicly observable or actual political decisions Criticisms of Pressure groups ❖Involves: Meaningful pressure groups ❖Openly debating a public issue Degree of influence ❖Pressure groups articulating policy Position of importance ❖Public decision is made Unable to voice views Radical Elitism State serves the interest of a small elite group Elite know exactly what is in their best interest. No autonomy form state “Invisible elites” Types of elitist theories: ▪ Conservative elitism Second Face of Power: ▪ Radical elitism Private face of power Power elite has always been in history Comprised of the military, economy and political elites Only safe issues become public Why come together? No accountability of actions Common belief Conspiracy? Needs compliment each other Power rests with power elite Not always united Weakened formal democracy Marxism Based on the work of Karl Marx. All parties maintain capitalist system Two classes exists in capitalist society Approaches: Dominant class has access to resources. Instrumentalism Working class sells labor to earn wages Structuralism Economic exploitation transfers into political domination Third Face of Power Capitalist state. Ideology and legitimation State and government appears to reflect the Form of power wishes of citizens Governing party does not matter Thinking about the South African State and the corvid-19 pandemic Liberal constitutional democracies are not as During such pandemic times states become democratic as they first seem stronger These liberal constitutional societies are sleepy democratic as immense power of the state executive South Africa is a liberal democratic imposes its will on citizens constitutional society Scott (1998) argues that modern states acts in top- Citizens have range of important civil and down manner by re-ordering nature and societies political rights Centralized plans without consulting citizens Example: freedom of movement State justifies its re-ordering of nature and societies During pandemic government impose state of based on scientific knowledge emergency that restricted political and civil Scientific knowledge used by states to justify their right in order to facilitate social stability response to covid 19 pandemic Continuation State of disaster declared in March 2020 Devastating economic cost Closure of international borders Decline in economic growth Implementation of lockdown Rise in unemployment and deepening levels Closure of economic sector, schools, of poverty universities etc. Q: justification of the loackdown regulations Use of the army and policy to patrol streets, Do some benefit more from these decisions enforcing lockdown (stay at home) In SA political elites in the state executive Arrest of personal violating lockdown made major decisions with minimal regulations (walking the street) consultation Devastating effacts of lockdown gloabally Theoretical views to disaster management act in SA: pluralist, Radical Elitism and Marxism Pluralists' theory: theory argues that state Thus, state closing down businesses during should incorporate views of different interest lockdown affects negatively the profit of large groups before making important decisions corporation (dismantle economic and political Economic effects of covid 19 and lockdown unison) regulations goes against Marxist views of the state Radical Elitism may provide best explanation as it acknowledges the power of the state however argues that economic and political elite act in unison