Power - week 13

Question 1

Marx on power

Answer 1

• society is stratified by two unequal classes (ruling class and subordinate class)
• power exists in terms of economic status

Question 2

Weber on power

Answer 2

• society is stratified by unequal classes, status groups, and parties
• 3 P’s - paper, power, prestige
• ideas and values

Question 3

Bourdieu on power

Answer 3

• society is stratified based on forms of capital including social, cultural, economic, and symbolic
• elite model of society - society is ruled by a small group of individuals who share a common set of interests

Question 4

C. Wright Mills - The Power Elite

Answer 4

• Argued that a small group of military, industrial, and government leaders ultimately control the fate of the United States
• power rests in the hands of a few people in society (these are the power elite)
• This group is fixed and cohesive, their interests are aligned

Question 5

WILLIAM DOMHOFF - the power elite

Answer 5

• stressed the role played by elites from within:
  → The corporate community
  → Policy formation organizations - can extend beyond the government
  → The social upper class
• When interests overlap that is when power and control are exerted
• Instead of being at the top of the hierarchy, power is more fluid
• When someone exists in all circles, they have more power