Journal

Social InstitutionsFamilySchools/EducationPolitical SystemsEconomic SystemsReligionPolitical & Economic InstitutionsChapter 13:Power & AuthorityPower & AuthorityPower: Ability to control othersUse looks, charm, speaking abilityCoercion- control through force (physical/threats)Coercive governments are typically unstable.Authority: Power that is accepted as legitimateFunctional and stable governments Types of AuthorityCharismaticTraditionalRational-LegalCharismatic AuthorityAuthority that comes from a persons personalityDifficult to transfer power to another person

Traditional AuthorityAuthority coming from custom/traditionMore stable than charismatic authorityExamples: kingdoms/royalty, dynastiesRational-Legal AuthorityPower is in the office, not the people.Used by most modern governmentsLimits to power bound by expectations of their job/officePolitical SystemsAuthoritarian TotalitarianDemocraticTotalitarianA ruler with absolute power tries to control all aspects of societyOne political partyControl over communication systems, military, & economyWell-organized campaign of terrorExamples: Nazi Germany, USSRAuthoritarianismControlled by elected or non-elected people who allow for some individual freedomDont allow popular participation in governmentMiddle ground, leans more totalitarianExample: Fidel Castro/Cuba

DemocraticDirect Democracy (Pure Democracy)Citizens vote directly, no representativesPopulation has powerRepresentative DemocracyUse of elected officials to make decisionsToo many people to have them all participateIf elected officials dont comply with peoples wishes, they wont win again.Political PowerGovernment ResponsibilitiesEquality, safety, services for citizens domestically & abroadProtection and proper use of national interests and resources

Why is it important to have citizens believe they have an impact on politics?PluralismPolitical decisions come from compromise and bargains of special interest groupsInterest Group: organized group used to influence political decisionsUtilizes functionalist perspective in what is best for the entire societyPower is widely distributed.

ElitismSociety is controlled by a few individuals or groups, coming from similar backgrounds.Use power to keep themselves in powerBased on Conflict PerspectivePower EliteTop military, government, & corporate leadersExamples Of Political SystemsNorth Korea (Totalitarianism)Year 102- Kim Il-Sung51 social categories ranked by loyalty28 approved haircuts23000 Koreans have defected south, while 2 have defected north.150,000-200,000 living in internment campsOnly officials own vehicles.Sexiest leader worldwideClosed domestic internet networkMarijuana and Opium are legal.Most militarized border in the worldSouth Korean film director was kidnapped to make movies.Cannibalism No justice systemNo religious freedomControlled radio in every household that cannot be turned off.Voting every 5 years with one candidate ballotsUniformsSchool subjects: Korean, mathematics, Physical Education, Drawing, Music, Politics

Economic SystemsCapitalismPrivate propertyAbility to gain profitProduction, distribution, and exchange of wealth by private individuals or industriesGovernment plays very small role (only regulates to prevent abuse of consumers).No pure capitalist systemPros and Cons of CapitalismProsCompetition to provide goods and services keeps prices lowRewards hard workProvides choiceAllows for the building up of wealth and possessionsConsumers regulate the market

ConsExploits people who cannot competeUneven distribution of wealthCreates a money-oriented societyConstant economic growth may deplete the earths resourcesNot focused on needs of society

Problems with capitalismMonopolies- Control over a market by one companyOligopolies- A few companies/groups work together to control marketBoth limit a consumers options and choices

SocialismGovernment ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goodsNo private propertyA system or condition of society in which the means of production are owned and controlled by the statePros and Cons of SocialismProsAll members share benefitsThose who cannot contribute may still participate (disabled, elderly)Each members survival needs are metEqual distribution of wealthNo socioeconomic classes

ConsNo incentive to work harderNo competition means no reward to be innovativeNew members to the community (immigrants) are seen as competition for limited goods and servicesHigher taxes

Government subsidized programsPostal serviceRail linesLibrariesHealth careSocial programsRoadsInfrastructure (bridges, freeways, etc.)Can you think of any others?Where in the world are?Semi- Capitalist countries:AmericaCanadaBrazilJapanMexico

Socialist countries:CubaSaudi ArabiaIranNorth KoreaBurma

Mixed EconomyAn economy in which some industries are privately owned and others are publicly owned or nationalized Many capitalist economies are mixed economies (some capitalism and some socialism).

Which is best: Capitalist economy, Socialist economy, or a Mixed economy?A free market exists with some regulation by the governmentPeople can create their own businesses and make a profitAll businesses pay taxes, which benefit everyone

Where does Communism fit in?Communism NeedsSocialism DEEDSPolitical systemNo religionProvide for needs without using money; collectively ownedNO LEADERNO SOCIAL CLASSESEconomic systemFreedom of religionMeans of production owned by public enterprise, controlled by workersAble to be used in various political systemsClasses exist, roles diminished

ReligionChapter 14Sociological MeaningReligion- a unified system of beliefs and practices concerned with sacred things

Sacred- holy; set apart and given a special meaning that goes beyond, or transcends, immediate existence

Profane- nonsacredSociological Study Of ReligionFocus on religion as a human construct

Focus on social aspects that can be measured and observed

Do not study what parts of religions are correct or incorrect!RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONDenomination- one of several religious organizations that most members of a society accept as legitimate

Sect- a religious organization arising out of a desire to reform an old organization

Cult- a religious organization whose characteristics are not drawn from existing religious traditions in a society

Functionalism And ReligionFocuses on contributions to societyLegitimizes social arrangementsPromotes social unityProvides a sense of understandingEncourages belongingConflict Theory And ReligionBelieve elite use religion to manipulate the massesJustifies economic, political, and social advantagesSymbolic Interactionism And ReligionBelieve people create symbolic meanings from their religious beliefs and ritualsMeanings guide social interactions.FundamentalismThe resistance of secularization and the rigid adherence to tradition

Secularization- process through which the sacred loses influence over societyIn-Class WorkWrite down your religious affiliation.List 5 of your close friends names.Answer the following questions based on todays lesson.Do your friendships have anything to do with religion? Why/Why not? (Think about your friends if your religion was different.)Have your friendships ever been tested because of religion?How important is religion within your friendships?