Introduction to Sociology / Politics / Na kyung Lee

1. Summary

 Politics is the process by which social groups make social and economic decisions. Politics is often applied in social group interaction.

Power

 Political power is the power held by a group of societies, and it can distribute and manage public resources. Political power is related to the social influence that individuals or groups can exercise formally or informally. 

Authority

 Authority is regarded as a term similar to power, but the meaning is different. Authority means assertion of legality, legitimacy, and exercise of authority.
 Marx Weber identified three types of authority. That were Rational-legal authority, Traditional authority, and Charismatic authority.

Violence

 Governments have the authority to be maintained by the use of political violence. This authority gives the government the right to enforce what it thinks is appropriate. 

2. New / Interesting things

 It was interesting that the government had authority to be maintained by political violence. Before I read this document, I thought political violence would have nothing to do with the authority of the government. So it was surprising that these were related.

3. Discussion Point

 I'm very happy that I can learn about politics more specific than before. This document shows authority which identified by  Marx Weber. So I want to know that there are any other types of authority identified by other sociologists.