Page 467 - Sociology and You

Chapter 13 Political and Economic Institutions 437 Figure 13.3 Focus on Theoretical Perspectives
Characteristics of Two Models of Political Power. This table illustrates the way the functionalist and con- flict perspectives view political power. Several key features of the political system are compared. Which the- ory do you think best describes power in the U.S.? Explain.
Characteristics
What is the source of power?
How much influence do nonelites have?
FUNCTIONALIST PERSPECTIVE (Pluralist Model)
Resources of interest groups
Nonelites have considerable influence on public policy
CONFLICT PERSPECTIVE (Power Elite Model)
Leadership positions in major institutions
Nonelites have very little influence on public policy
Who exercises power? Bargaining and compromising National political, economic, and interest groups military leaders
Where is power located? Spread widely among interest Concentrated in hands of elites groups
What is the Goals and values are shared Preferences of basis for public by the general public the elites policy decisions?
An interest group is a group organized to influence political decision making. Group members share one or more goals. The goals may be specific to the group’s own members—as in the case of the National Rifle Association—or may involve a larger segment of society—as in the case of ecology-oriented groups such as the Sierra Club. Figure 13.4 on page 438 lists several current interest groups, sizes, and issues.
Pluralists contend that decisions are made as a result of competition among special interest groups, each of which has its own stake in the issues. In addition to reaching their own ends, interest groups try to protect them- selves from opposing interest groups. Responsibility falls to government lead- ers to balance the public welfare with the desires of various special interests.
Interest groups are not new to American politics. In the nineteenth cen- tury they were active in extending women’s rights and promoting the aboli- tion of slavery. The twentieth century saw such active interest groups as the Women’s Christian Temperance Union and early labor unions. The 1960s, with controversies surrounding civil rights, the Vietnam War, the environment, the women’s movement, and corporate power, strengthened many interest groups and led to the creation of a number of new ones (Clemens, 1997).
interest group
a group organized to influence politicaldecisionmaking