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Social Class Theory And Political Sociology

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Power is the “The ability of individuals or groups to make there own concerns and interestes count, even when others resist”. ( Anthony Giddens 2001 ). There are three major theoretical frameworks in political sociology—pluralist, elite theory, and social-class perspectives. Classic pluralist see power held by a variety of groups in society; some of which are more powerful than others.The diverse and competing interests of different groups is the basis for a democratic equilibrium. These groups compete with each other to maximise their influence. No one group or class is able to dominate all other groups because of checks and balances built into a democratic system. Elite theory involves the idea that rather than there being a simple plurality of competing groups in society, there are instead a series of competing elites and powerful groups who are able to impose their will and dominate the rest of society. social-class theory is based off the ideas of Karl Marx. These frameworks have set the foundation for most perspectives in political sociology.

There are two main sociological perspectives. The Functionalist Perspective, Symbolic Interactionism Perspective and the Conflict Perspective. Functionalism presents society as a machine of interconnected parts that work together in unison to maintain a state of economic balance and social equilibrium for the whole. for example the family, schools, government and religion are social institutions that contribute to

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