ISS 215: Social Differentiation and InequalityLecture 6: Political Institutions and InequalityIn-Class NotesPolitical institutions- Influenced by belief system- Directly majority believe it’s based off religion- Indirectly say we’re secular but make laws around ChristianityEmergence- Population growth- Older times smart, tribes, rules didn’t affect other tribes- Intensive agriculture- Extensive agriculture when population goes up, so does land- Intensive agriculture limited amount of land, large population- Industrial division of labor- Specific groups with certain skills and training- Diversity, anonymity, individualism- Society expanded; people use to help their neighbors - Now individuals see more self-importance- “every man for himself”- Cultural defense- The want/need to preserve cultures the way they areComponents and functions- Components- State used to create government- Government people responsible to implement conceptual framework- Political parties represents governmentTheoretical Discussion- Social contract theory- Thomas Hobbes (1588 – 1679)- Believes that by nature we’re brutal and animalistic- John Locke (1632 – 1740)- Believes we learn behavior by socialism- Jean Rousseau (1712 – 1778)- Believes that by nature we are kind and caring- Over time, individuals in society made rules and regulations to govern themselves- Elite theory- The idea that a small group of people control political power; they are who rule- Not everybody in elite category is an elite- Only power elites (top percent)- Pluralist Model- Interest groups that don’t represent a political party but play big roles in decisions- Lobbyist educated professionals, retired with ties to political parties that they manipulate for “favors- Mainly always retired politicians- Machavelli (1469 – 1527)- If you’re a leader, act kind, humane, merciful, etc.- Religions pretend you are one of them- As soon as you are in power, go to church- Use force and cruelty to remain order- Avoid neutrality- If you believe in something, stand by it- If you try to please everybody, you’ll lose everybody- Cunning like a fox, forceful like a lion- Must make tough decisions- Use of threat of attack by outsider to rule- Scare the hell out of your people- Scared people are easier to control- Scared people will unite behind you- Conflict perspective- Bourgeoisie control
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