Chapter 5

According to C. Wright Mills, who are the power elite?'

is made up of high level political officials, executives from the most powerful corporations and high ranking military leaders.

Ruling class differs from the power elite 1

) -rather than stressing several types of institutions as being involved in the elite, the ruling class view emphasizes the dominance of the economic institution and position within it.

-OUTSIDER

- less powerful less access to elected officials in gov -more recently established groups Ex- grassroots activist groups who may demonstrate or hold rallies in support of a particular issue

-POWER EIITE-

- power elite political officials, executives from the most powerful corporations, and high ranking military leaders

By Race and Hispanic Origin, which two racial/ethnic categories are most likely to vote?

--White- non hispanic, and black

What are the 3 major ways one can participate in the political process?

-1 - voting 2-holding political office -3- and or- putting pressure in the form of lobbying & monetary support.

By educational attainment, who is most likely to vote?

-Advanced degree

What is political power?

-Refers to the varied involvement and impact of individuals and groups in the national govn.

-PLURALIST

-explains how power is distributed among groups. coalitions of like minded people -unions professional business lobbyist

Political participation is perpetuated over generations through educational differences. Explain this statement.

-highly educated parents are more likely to be politically active less advantaged tend to be less organized and less powerful when attempting to influence the political system

-POWER EIITE-

-political power is exercised by a powerful minority and democracy is an illusion. The nucleus of the power elite -consists of those who hold high positions in more than 1 of the 3 major institutions -MILLS argues, many of today's most important issues have significant consequences for multiple institutions

Ruling class differs from power elite 2

-the ruling class model often views the bottom of the power structure as being more active and effectual as a working class. It can organize and bring about change in the society. In the case of the power elite model, the mass is largely passive in response to its position, whereas in the ruling class model the working class can be conscious and organized this the relationship btw those on the top and those at the bottom is more characterized more fully BY CONFLICT -the relationship btw the upper class and political power is portrayed as being much tighter than is the case in Mills power elite in which upper class and celebrities are more tangential to the political process. IN MILLS VIEW IT IS STRICTLY INSTITUTIONAL POSITION , NOT PERSONAL WEALTH , THAT LEADS TO POWER

-RULING CLASS VIEW

-this view examines conflict and power -economy is the dominant social institution -@ the bottom of the structure, is working class- they are aware and organized; thus the relationship btw those @ the top and those @ the bottom is characterized by conflict.

-POWER EIITE-

-view examines how power is concentrated -small class of rulerş and decision makers who perform key political functions and monopolize power and a larger class that is ruled over

why are so many national candidates intentionally courting Hispanic voters today?

.in large part be they are expected to compose one fourth of the US population by 2050 Aka projected to constitute 25 % of all registered voters by 2050

By annual income, those in which tax bracket are most likely to vote?

75,000 and up

How does employment status relate to voting?

Employed

How does social class influence voting patterns?

Minorities and groups of lower socio-economic position are less likely to vote than Whites, those w higher education, and those eaning higher incomes. - This means that groups that do not vote lose given that voting is a measure of political power Those earning higher incomes and who are more highly educated vote for candidates/legislation that favor their positions This means those who do not vote often suffer from resulting political policies

Which social classes are least likely and most likely to vote?

Minorities w lower socio-economic position (people with low incomes and low education degrees ) are least likely Vs. whites w higher education and higher incomes.

In the power elite model, power is centralized in the power elite. Explain.

The nucleus of the power elite - consists of those who hold high positions in more than 1 of the 3 major institutions -power is based on position rather than actual decision making has also been contested, as has his contention that power only flows from the top down.

By sex, who is most likely to vote?

WOMEN

-PLURALIST

power is dispersed and fragmented - power is shared - power and powerless do not appear to be problems. It actually helps society -groups are an effective means of reproduction -larger the group larger the influence -policies are reached through bargaining and compromise and tend to be fair to all in the end

-RULING CLASS VIEW

the relationship btw the upper class and the political power is closely intertwined -G William Domhoff argues that rich corporate owners constitute a dominant class that largely controls the political proces this means the upper class power is based on class position and corporate attachment - upper class is a capitalist class as well as a social class.

INSIDER groups

well established groups -work closely w elected officials in government -tend to work well w/ officials be of their standing and prestige in the community -EX- business groups that focus their efforts on issues directly affecting business interests