Page 359 - Essencials of Sociology

332 Chapter 11 politics and the economy

In 1949, George Orwell wrote 1984, a book about a time in the future
Learning when a government known as “Big Brother” spies on everyone and dictates almost every
Objectives aspect of each individual’s life. Even loving someone is considered sinister—a betrayal
of the supreme love and total allegiance that all citizens owe Big Brother.
after you have read this chapter, you Despite the danger, Winston and Julia fall in love. They delight in each other, but they
should be able to:
must meet furtively, always with the threat of discovery hanging over their heads. When
11.1 Contrast power, authority, informers turn them in, interrogators separate Julia and Winston and try to destroy their
and violence; compare affection and restore their loyalty to Big Brother.
traditional, rational–legal, Winston’s tormentor is O’Brien, who straps Winston into a chair so tightly that he can’t
and charismatic authority. even move his head. O’Brien explains that inflicting pain is not always enough to break
(p. 332)
a person’s will, but everyone has a breaking point. There is some worst fear that will push
11.2 Compare monarchies, anyone over the edge.
democracies, O’Brien tells Winston that he has discovered his even loving someone is
dictatorships, and worst fear. Then he sets a cage with two starving giant
oligarchies. (p. 336) considered sinister—a
sewer rats on the table next to Winston. O’Brien picks
11.3 Discuss voting patterns, up a hood connected to the door of the cage and places betrayal of the supreme
lobbyists, and paCs. it over Winston’s head. He then explains that when he love and total allegiance
(p. 338)
presses the lever, the door of the cage will slide up, and that all citizens owe Big
11.4 Compare the functionalist the rats will shoot out like bullets and bore straight
(pluralist) and conflict into Winston’s face. Winston’s eyes, the only part of his Brother.
(power elite) perspectives body that he can move, dart back and forth, revealing
on U.S. power. (p. 343)
his terror. Speaking so quietly that Winston has to strain to hear him, O’Brien adds that the
11.5 explain why countries rats sometimes attack the eyes first, but sometimes they burrow through the cheeks and devour
go to war and why some the tongue. When O’Brien places his hand on the lever, Winston realizes that the only way
groups choose terrorism; out is for someone else to take his place. But who? Then he hears his own voice screaming,
discuss targeted killings. “Do it to Julia! . . . Tear her face off. Strip her to the bones. Not me! Julia! Not me!”
(p. 345)
Orwell does not describe Julia’s interrogation, but when Julia and Winston see each other
11.6 Summarize the broad later, they realize that each has betrayed the other. Their love is gone. Big Brother has won.
historical shifts in economic Winston’s and Julia’s misplaced loyalty had made them political heretics, a danger to the
systems; emphasize state. Every citizen had the duty to place the state above all else in life, Pledging love and loy-
inequality. (p. 349)
alty to an individual was a threat to the state’s dominance. Their allegiance to one another
11.7 Contrast capitalism had to be stripped from them. As you see, it was.
and socialism: their
components, ideologies,
criticisms, and
convergence. (p. 352) politics: establishing Leadership
11.8 Discuss the globalization
of capitalism, including its Although seldom as dramatic as the interrogations of Winston and Julia, politics is always
effects on workers, the about power and authority. Let’s explore this topic that is so significant for our lives.
divisions of wealth, and
the global superclass.
(p. 356)
11.9 explain how the power, authority, and Violence
globalization of capitalism To exist, every society must have a system of leadership. Some people must have power
might be bringing a New over others. As Weber (1913/1947) pointed out, we perceive power as either legitimate
World Order. (p. 362)
or illegitimate. Legitimate power is called authority. This is power that people accept
as right. In contrast, illegitimate power—called coercion—is power that people do not
accept as just.
11.1 Contrast power, authority,
and violence; compare traditional, Imagine that you are on your way to buy the hot new cell phone that is on sale for $250.
rational–legal, and charismatic As you approach the store, a man jumps out of an alley and shoves a gun in your face. He
authority. demands your money. Frightened for your life, you hand over your $250. After filing a po-
lice report, you head back to college to take a sociology exam. You are running late, so you