Final Exam (c. 10) Flashcards
social institutions
systems and structures that shape the activities of groups and individuals in society
politics
the methods and tactics of managing a political entity (nation or state, admin etc.)
government
formal, organized agency that exercises power and control in modern society
power
ability to get others to do one’s bidding - Max Weber
authority
the legitimate, non coercive exercise of power
Authoritarianism
political system that denies ordinary citizens representation by and control over their own government
(ex. dictatorship)
totalitarianism
most extreme and modern version of authoritarianism. government control of every aspect (public and private) of citizens’ lives.
monarchy
sovereignty is vested in a successive line of rulers (usually within a family)
- absolute and constitutional monarchies
democracy
citizens share in directing the activities of their government
- a political system and philosophy
variables affecting voter participation in the US
age, race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, geography, social class, and education
disenfranchised
barred from voting
gerrymandering
redrawing of boundary lines for voting districts within states in a way that gives an advantage to one political party over another
Religion: functionalist lens
religion is found everywhere, therefore it must function for society
Religion: Durkheim
“society creates “God” in its image”, thus society is really worshipping itself, projecting admirable characteristics onto God
religion: conflict lens
religion tends to support the status quo and thus
- defended an inferior view of females/supports patriarchy
- tends to segregate along race and class lines
- has and continues to view sexual orientation as deviant behavior
- critique: religion has been an agent for social justice and political change
Religion: symbolic interactionist lens
focus is on the “meaning” that is constructed by religious beliefs and practices through interactions within religious groups
- looks inside religious groups to understand how they frame a plausible worldview and how that view “works” for them despite not being supported in larger culture
secularization
a process where over time, religion has less and less influence on society and individuals (due to greater influence of tech and science)
education
the process by which a society transmits knowledge, values, and expectations to its members so they can function in society
hidden curriculum
the values and behaviors that students learn indirectly over the course of their schooling
- rules, routines, and regulations designed to create a submissive and obedient workforce
the pygmalion effect
idea that teachers attitudes about their students unintentionally influence their academic performance
Education: conflict lens
Because schools are funded by local property taxes, children in poor neighborhoods are trapped in poor schools, which reinforces inequality.
pluralism
a system of political power in which a wide variety of individuals and groups have equal access to resources and power
special interest groups
organizations that raise and spend money to influence elected officials or public opinion
power elite
C. Wright Mills coined the term; refers to a relatively small number of people who control the economic, political, and military institutions of a society
