Connecting Sociology and YOU!

Chapter 11: Economics and Politics

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political sociologythe study of political groups, leadership, and social power.

political participation, actions to support the government or politicians

civic participationindividual and collective action to address issues of public concern

global warmingthe rise in surface temperature on the planet, and the term climate changethe weather impacts of the rising temperatures

economic systems,frameworks for producing and allocating goods and services within a society

Capitalisman economic and political system based on private control of the production and distribution of goods and services within a free market system 

laissez-faire capitalism, a system of free enterprise without government intervention

monopoliespossessing near or complete control of commodities or producing goods and services

socialisman economic and political system based on cooperative management or citizens’ production and distribution of goods and services normally within a democratic government

communisman economic and political system based on the government’s ownership and regulation of all of the production and distribution of goods and services 

totalitariana state-controlled government holding all authority over public and private lives

democracya system of government in which the power is vested in the people

absolute monarchya system of government ruled by a monarch who has control of the government and state

constitutional monarchies, a system of government in which a monarch is the Head of State and is governed by a parliament

powerthe ability to exert control over others and achieve goals with or without the support of society

Marxist power modelruling forces formulate public policies that are in the best interest of capitalism and the ruling class

power elite modelpower is concentrated among the elite and wealthy, particularly corporations, government, and the military

dictatorship, a form of government in which a single person or political entity controls political authority

pluralist power modelpower is fragmented and dispersed among groups within a society

Lobbyistsindividuals who persuade legislators to vote for a special interest of their group

Redistrictingchanges in the boundaries of an electoral voting district

proportional representationa system in which a political party’s representation in government is proportional to the number of votes they receive

disenfranchisementan effort to restrict or revoke the voting rights of an individual or group.

poll taxa fee members of the electorate must pay in order to participate in the voting process

outsourcinghiring a subcontractor or outside agency to complete the work formally done by employees within the company 

offshoring, which involves corporations transferring jobs overseas

sweatshopsfactories that offer their workers low wages and long hours in dangerous working conditions 

knowledge workersemployees who design, prepare, or share knowledge.

service workersemployees who provide food, physical comfort, shelter, or mechanical support,

downsizing, a reduction in the number of employees that work for the corporation.