The Nature and Distribution of Power - SCLY3 - Flashcards in A Level and IB Sociology

Weber said there were three kinds of authority

Traditional (Monarchy), Charismatic (Hitler), Rational Legal (Prime Ministers/Presidents)

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Stephen Lukes said there were three faces of power

Decision making - Makes decisions. Non-Decision making, sets the agenda. Shaping desires - Manipulating the populace to want what might not be good for them.

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Marxism 1 - Marx said which group has the power in society?

Bourgeoisie.

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Marxism 2 - Marx said that power is finite - What does this mean?

There is only so much of it. It's what's called the Zero-Sum model. It's much like energy in that it cannot be created or destroyed - only transferred.

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Marxism 3 - Miliband said?

Political power is held by the same people that hold the economic power.

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Marxism (Neo) 4 - Gramsci emphasised?

the power of ideals that perpetuate capitalism. The Bourgeoisie utilise Hegemony (the manipulation of people's norms and values) to be what the Bourgeoisie wants.

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Elitism 1 - How do Elitists see society ruled?

By a small, powerful elite.

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(Classical) Elitism 2 - Pareto and Mosca believe

Society is divided between the rulers and the ruled. The rulers make all the decisions and they are almost always acting in their own interests. This to a point agrees with Marxism.

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(Classical Elitism) 3 - What is the difference between Marxism and Elitism?

Elitists believe that having an Elite rule society is natural, inevitable and desirable. They believe that they are naturally better than the rest of society. Marxists believe however that the Elite's domination of society is exploitative, and unfair

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Elitism 4 - Mills studied three kinds of elites - which were they?

Economic - Big corporate bosses, Military - Generals and some head of states. Political - Those who hold high government offices such as Prime Ministers.

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Elitism 5 - Mills said that these three kinds of elites formed;

The single ruling elite - which he called the Power Elite.

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Elitism 6 - Mills also said that the unelected elites shared?

The same social background. Statistics show that British MPs, high ranking Civil Servants and Business Leaders all share the same social and educational backgrounds. It's referred to as "The establishment." - I.e. Oxbridge uni / Eton/Harrow preps.

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Functionalism 1 - Functionalists believe in the Variable Sum Model - what is it?

The belief that power can increase and decrease in society. This is the opposite of the Zero Sum Model. The increase and decrease is due to how many people see the power as legitimate or not.

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Pluralists 1 - Pluralists believe that the amount of power is constant. How do Pluralists think power is dispersed in society?

Through many small groups. THe groups compete for the power. Dahl found instead of one group dominating society and holding all the power, there were many small centres of power.

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Pluralists 2 - Pluralists are criticised for?

Focusing on Lukes' first face of power - decision making.

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Postmodernism 1 - Foucault said that;

Power is linked to Knowledge. More knowledge = More power. More power = more knowledge.

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Postmodernism 2 - Foucault suggests because power is linked to knowledge, it can be questioned. How so?

Because knowledge can be questioned. If a Psychiatrist's patient questions the diagnosis of the Psychiatrist, he has also challenged his power over him.

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Postmodernism 3 - Foucault also argues to understand power

We must look at it's expressions in the everyday activity of people rather than just it's relationship to class (marxism) or politics (elitism)

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Postmodernism 4 - Lyotard sees postmodern politics as being about;

Loss of faith in big political ideologies that say what society should be like.

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Postmodernism 5 - Lyotard sees power as belonging to;

Whoever has the most useful knowledge.

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The Nature and Distribution of Power - SCLY3

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