Section Overview
The section provides an overview of politics and government as social institutions. It begins by defining politics as the decision-making process within groups and government as the structured organization that enforces societal rules and norms. The section explores three theories of political power: the Pluralist Theory, the Elite Theory, and the Marxist Theory, to understand diverse perspectives on power distribution in society. It categorizes different types of government, including autocracy, oligarchy, democracy, and theocracy, highlighting their key characteristics and using the metaphor of an orchestra to illustrate democracy’s participatory nature. The section delves deeper into democracy, distinguishing between direct and representative democracy and identifying the U.S. as a representative democracy or constitutional republic. It discusses Weber’s three types of authority: traditional, charismatic, and legal-rational authority and their manifestations in government structures. The section emphasizes the role of government in shaping social structure, social mobility, and critical social issues, highlighting the importance of political participation and acknowledging barriers to participation. It also recognizes the role of government in international relations and the impact of globalization on political processes and policies. The section concludes by reflecting on the continuous evolution of politics and government and encourages further exploration and critical thinking on these topics.
Reading Assignment for Section 6.4
Read the following subsection from our online textbook: Section 6.4: Politics and Government.
What You Will Learn
In this section, you’ll explore the concepts of politics and government as social institutions, including their roles in decision-making and societal rule enforcement. You’ll delve into the three theories of political power (Pluralist Theory, Elite Theory, and Marxist Theory) to understand different perspectives on power distribution. Additionally, you’ll learn about various types of government and their key characteristics.
Student Learning Outcomes for Section 6.4
- SLO 1: Students will understand the definitions of politics and government as social institutions and their respective roles in decision-making and societal rule enforcement.
- SLO 2: Students will analyze three theories of political power (Pluralist Theory, Elite Theory, and Marxist Theory) to gain insights into diverse perspectives on power distribution in society.
- SLO 3: Students will categorize different types of government (autocracy, oligarchy, democracy, theocracy) and identify their key characteristics to understand their governance structures.
- SLO 4: Students will examine Weber’s three types of authority (traditional, charismatic, and legal-rational) and their manifestations in government structures, influencing societal compliance and obedience.
- SLO 5: Students will recognize the essential role of government in shaping social structure, social mobility, critical social issues, and international relations, emphasizing the importance of political participation and the impact of globalization on political processes and policies.
Modification History File Created: 05/07/2023 Last Modified: 06/06/2024
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