8.3 Theories of Power

    Cards (35)

    • Authority is the legitimate right to exercise power
    • According to pluralism, a single group dominates all decisions.
      False
    • Pluralism argues that political processes are widely accessible
    • Elite theory suggests that a small, privileged elite controls most aspects of society.
    • The power elite in elite theory may include political, economic, and military leaders.
      True
    • Domination by a Power Elite means a small, influential group controls most decisions
    • Match the concept with its corresponding theory:
      Diversity of Groups ↔️ Pluralism
      Lack of Accessibility ↔️ Elitism
    • Authority is the legitimate right to exercise power
    • According to Pluralist Theory, what do interest groups compete for?
      Influence on government policies
    • Pluralist Theory contrasts with elitist views like Marxism
    • What are the two contrasting perspectives on the distribution of power in society according to pluralism and elitism?
      Dispersed vs. concentrated
    • Class struggle in Marxist Theory refers to the ongoing conflict between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat due to unequal distribution of resources.

      True
    • Match the power theory with its key emphasis:
      Marxism ↔️ Class struggle
      Pluralism ↔️ Dispersed power
      Feminism ↔️ Gender-based inequality
      Elitism ↔️ Concentrated privilege
    • What is the term for the system of male dominance institutionalized across social, economic, and political spheres in Feminist Theory?
      Patriarchy
    • Feminist theorists emphasize the concept of intersectionality, which examines how gender interacts with other social identities like race, class, and sexuality
    • What does power refer to in sociology?
      Influence or control
    • Power always requires consent from those it affects.
      False
    • Authority is always accepted by those it affects.
      True
    • What is the central idea of pluralist theory?
      Power is distributed
    • Pluralist theory emphasizes the diversity of competing interest groups
    • Which theory contrasts with pluralism by suggesting power is controlled by a small elite?
      Marxism
    • Match the concept with its implication:
      Diversity of Groups ↔️ Power is dispersed
      Accessibility of Influence ↔️ Wide participation in policy
      Lack of Domination ↔️ Groups succeed on different issues
    • Order the key concepts of pluralist theory and elitist theory:
      1️⃣ Diversity of Groups (Pluralism)
      2️⃣ Focus on a Single Dominant Class (Elitism)
      3️⃣ Wide Access to Political Processes (Pluralism)
      4️⃣ Limits Access to a Privileged Few (Elitism)
      5️⃣ Lack of Domination (Pluralism)
      6️⃣ Power Concentrated in a Single Entity (Elitism)
    • What is the central idea of elite theory?
      Power is concentrated
    • What does Elite Theory suggest about power in society?
      It is concentrated in a privileged Power Elite
    • Access to power is open to everyone in Elite Theory
      False
    • What does Pluralist Theory suggest about power in society?
      It is distributed among competing groups
    • What is the sociological definition of power?
      Ability to influence others
    • Authority always requires consent from those affected

      True
    • Match the key concept with its corresponding theory:
      Diversity of Groups ↔️ Pluralism
      Economic Control ↔️ Marxism
    • In Marxist Theory, which class owns the means of production?
      Bourgeoisie
    • Marxist Theory emphasizes ongoing class struggle due to unequal distribution of resources

      True
    • Marxist Theory of Power suggests that power is concentrated in the hands of the bourgeoisie, while the proletariat are exploited and marginalized
    • Pluralism explicitly addresses gender power dynamics in its analysis of power distribution.
      False
    • How does Marxism prioritize class over gender in analyzing power relations?
      Focuses on economic control
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