Key Terms
Power
The ability to exercise your will over others (Max Weber, 1922).
Authority
Power that people accept as legitimate. People follow it willingly.
Patrimonialism
A subtype. Military and administration exist purely to serve the ruler's personal will.
Anarchy
No organized government. Widely seen as unstable and undesirable.
Monarchy
Single ruler (monarch) holds power until death or abdication. Usually hereditary.
Oligarchy
Small elite group holds power. Can be based on military strength, economic power, or both.
Dictatorship
One person or small group holds absolute authority; typically by military or economic force. Totalitarian dictatorship:
Democracy
All citizens have an equal voice in determining policy. Protected rights, free elections, constitutional limits on leade
Voter fraud counterpoint
Department of Justice found only 26 guilty cases of voter fraud out of 197 million federal election voters between 2002
Government serves four main purposes
1. Planning and directing society
Example
Campaign finance laws are loosened.
Symbols of government authority
Flags, seals, government buildings, the White House. These carry meaning because people assign meaning to them.