Unit 2491: Political Sociology

1. Introduction to Political Sociology

• Definition and scope of political sociology
• Key concepts: power, authority, political systems
• Relationship between society and politics

2. Theories of Power and Authority

• Marxist theory of power
  • Class conflict and economic base
  • Role of ideology and false consciousness
• Pluralist theory
  • Power distribution among multiple groups
  • Interest groups and democratic participation
• Elite theory
  • Concentration of power in elite groups
  • Circulation of elites and power maintenance

3. State and State-Building

• Definition and functions of the state
• Concepts of sovereignty and legitimacy
• Processes of state-building
  • Role of coercion and enforcement
  • Citizenship and inclusion/exclusion
  • Institutional development and governance

4. Social Movements and Political Protest

• Definition and characteristics of social movements
• Theories of social movements formation
• Goals and types of social movements
• Dynamics of political protest and collective action
• Impact of social movements on policy and society

5. Political Participation and Citizenship

• Forms of political participation
  • Voting, activism, lobbying, and civil engagement
• Barriers to political participation
• Concept of citizenship
  • Rights, duties, and obligations
  • Inclusive vs. exclusive citizenship

6. Globalization and Transnational Politics

• Definition and dimensions of globalization
• Impact on state sovereignty and political systems
• Rise of transnational actors
  • NGOs, multinational corporations, international organizations
• Global governance and political cooperation
• Human rights in a globalized world

7. Political Ideologies

• Overview of major political ideologies
  • Liberalism: individual freedoms and democracy
  • Conservatism: tradition and social order
  • Socialism: equality and collective ownership
  • Feminism: gender equality and social justice
• Implications of ideologies on political thought and policy

8. Power Structures and Inequality

• Social stratification and class structures
• Intersectionality: race, gender, and other identity factors
• How power inequalities shape political outcomes
• Mechanisms of exclusion and marginalization

9. Media and Politics

• Role of media in political communication
• Media influence on public opinion and political behavior
• Relationship between media and political institutions
• Media bias, propaganda, and information control

10. Social Change and Political Reform

• Theories of social change
• Role of social movements and political institutions in reform
• Cultural shifts influencing political transformation
• Case studies of political reform and social change