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364 Chapter 11 politics and the economy

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11 Summary and Review

power, authority, and Violence centrist positions. The differences are most obvious in those
who take extreme positions. Pp. 338–341.
Voter turnout is higher among people who are more
11.1 Contrast power, authority, and violence; compare traditional, socially integrated—those who sense a greater stake in the out-
rational–legal, and charismatic authority. come of elections, such as the more educated and well-to-do.

How are authority and coercion related to power? Lobbyists and special-interest groups, such as political ac-
Authority is power that people view as legitimately ex- tion committees (PACs), play a significant role in U.S. politics.
ercised over them, while coercion is power they consider Pp. 342–343.
unjust. The state is a political entity that claims a monopoly
on violence over some territory. If enough people consider a Who rules the United States?
state’s power illegitimate, revolution is possible.
Pp. 332–333. 11.4 Compare the functionalist (pluralist) and conflict (power elite)
What kinds of authority are there? perspectives on U.S. power.
Max Weber identified three types of authority. In traditional Is the United States controlled by a ruling class?
authority, power is derived from custom— patterns set down In a view known as pluralism, functionalists say that no one
in the past serve as rules for the present. In rational–legal group holds power, that the country’s many competing in-
authority (also called bureaucratic authority), power is based terest groups balance one another. Conflict theorists, who
on law and written rules. In charismatic authority, power is focus on the top level of power, say that the United States
derived from loyalty to an individual to whom people are at- is governed by a power elite, a ruling class made up of the
tracted. Charismatic authority, which undermines traditional top corporate, political, and military leaders. At this point,
and rational–legal authority, has built-in problems in trans- the matter is not settled. Pp. 343–345.
ferring authority to a new leader. Pp. 334–335.

types of Government War and terrorism: Implementing
political Objectives

11.2 Compare monarchies, democracies, dictatorships, and
oligarchies. 11.5 Explain why countries go to war and why some groups
choose terrorism; discuss targeted killings.
How are the types of government related to power?
In a monarchy, power is based on hereditary rule; in a democ- How are war and terrorism related to politics?
racy, power is given to the ruler by citizens; in a dictator- War and terrorism are both means of attempting to accom-
ship, power is seized by an individual; and in an oligarchy, plish political objectives. Timasheff identified three essential
power is seized by a small group. Pp. 336–338. conditions of war and seven fuels that bring about war. His
analysis can be applied to terrorism. A controversial response
the U.S. political System to terrorism is targeted killing. Pp. 345–348.

the transformation of economic
11.3 Discuss voting patterns, lobbyists, and PACs.
Systems
What are the main characteristics of the U.S.
political system?
The U.S. political system is dominated by the Democratic 11.6 Summarize the broad historical shifts in economic systems;
and Republican parties, which represent slightly different emphasize inequality.