Government and politics

Looking Ahead

This unit continues considering the sociological analysis of social institutions. First, it studies politics, its sources and basic types of government in a political system. Special attention is given to political socialization and citizens' participation in political life,The question «Who does rule in a society?» is posed and models of power structure are contrasted. Then, the unit examines the economic classification of societies and modern economic systems with particular emphasis on the rise of multinational corporations and their negative impact on the economic and political life of both industrialized and developing nations.

Learning Objectives

After studying this unit, you should be able to answer the following questions:

1. How are systems of power and authority organized?

2. How does a democracy differ from a totalitarian state?

3. How do we acquire our political beliefs?

4. Who does rule in a society?

5. How do capitalism and socialism differ as ideal types?

6. What impact do multinational corporations have on the world's
industrialized and developing nations?