Power Elite - 1

Professor C

22 Jun 202310:31

Summary

TLDRThis video explores the concepts of labeling theory, deviance, and power elite, using the Salem Witch Trials as an example. It discusses who has the authority to define deviance and enforce these labels, and how social control has evolved over time. The video also delves into Mills' theory of the power elite, highlighting the interplay between corporate, military, and political elites, and how they often collude for mutual benefit. It contrasts this with celebrities and politicians who can evade legal consequences due to their fame or wealth, emphasizing the disparity in power and influence.

Takeaways

🏷️ Deviance is defined as a violation of established norms, which can be social, cultural, or legal.
🌐 Social control is practiced by all societies to maintain order and is enforced through sanctions, both positive (rewards) and negative (punishments).
🕵️‍♂️ The power elite theory suggests that a small group of individuals from the corporate, military, and political sectors hold significant influence over society.
💼 Corporate Elites, Military Elites, and Political Elites often collaborate for mutual benefit, exemplified by unnecessary military purchases for job creation or raises.
💵 The power elite is not solely political; it is characterized by wealth and influence, often transcending party lines.
🚫 Celebrities and influential individuals can sometimes avoid legal repercussions for their actions due to their status, highlighting the power elite's privileges.
🛑 Protest movements like Black Lives Matter are not considered power elite because they do not use vast financial resources to influence laws.
👥 The power elite is a small, select group of people who can have a disproportionate impact on society, often unrepresentative of the general population.
📉 Over-purchased military equipment, like tanks rusting unused, is a modern example of power elite influence and the waste it can cause.
🏛️ Politicians are not automatically part of the power elite; being in the majority in political bodies does not equate to being a power elite member.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video?
-The video primarily discusses the concepts of labeling theory, deviance, power elite, and uses the Salem Witch Trials as an example to illustrate these concepts.
What is deviance according to the video?
-Deviance is defined as a violation of established contextual cultural or social norms, which can include folkways, mores, or codified law.
How does society practice social control?
-Society practices social control through the regulation and enforcement of norms, which is necessary to maintain social order.
What are sanctions as mentioned in the video?
-Sanctions are the means of enforcing rules and can be either positive, such as rewards for conforming to norms, or negative, such as punishments for violating norms.
Who typically decides what is considered deviant?
-The decision of what is considered deviant is typically made by those in positions of power, such as employers, political figures, or other influential individuals.
What is the power elite theory according to Mills?
-Mills' power elite theory examines the interrelationship between the corporate elite, military elite, and political elite, who often coordinate to maintain and increase their wealth and power.
How does the power elite theory relate to the Salem Witch Trials?
-While the video does not directly relate the power elite theory to the Salem Witch Trials, one could infer that the trials could be seen as an example of power dynamics where certain groups had the authority to label others as deviant.
What is the role of money in the power elite, as discussed in the video?
-Money plays a significant role in the power elite, as it is often used to influence outcomes and decisions, particularly when it comes to wealthy or famous individuals.
Why are celebrities sometimes considered part of the power elite?
-Celebrities can be considered part of the power elite due to their fame and wealth, which can grant them influence and potentially different treatment under the law compared to the general population.
How does the video differentiate between the power elite and political parties?
-The video clarifies that being part of a political party or holding a majority in a political body does not automatically make one part of the power elite; the power elite is typically a small group of individuals with significant influence.
What is the significance of the number of people in the power elite?
-The power elite is characterized by being a small group of individuals who wield a disproportionate amount of power and influence over larger populations.

Outlines

00:00

🏛️ Social Control and Deviance

The video begins by discussing the concept of deviance, which is defined as a violation of established social norms, whether they are folkways, mores, or codified law. The speaker explains that all societies practice social control to maintain social order, which varies across cultures, regions, and time. The video also touches on sanctions, which are the means of enforcing rules and can be either positive (rewards for conforming) or negative (punishments for violating norms). The speaker emphasizes that the power to enforce these norms lies with certain individuals or groups, such as employers, mayors, city councils, and state representatives.

05:01

💼 The Power Elite Theory

In this section, the speaker delves into C. Wright Mills' theory of the power elite, which examines the interplay between the corporate, military, and political elites. Mills' theory suggests that these groups often work together to maintain and increase their power and wealth, even when it's not in the public interest. The speaker provides examples of military equipment over-purchases driven by political and corporate interests. Additionally, the video discusses how celebrities and powerful politicians can sometimes avoid legal repercussions for their actions due to their status, illustrating the power elite's influence over the legal system. The speaker clarifies that the power elite is not synonymous with political parties or movements but is often characterized by the use of money to sway outcomes.

10:02

🌟 The Influence of Celebrities and the Power Elite

The final paragraph focuses on the role of celebrities within the power elite and how their fame and wealth can grant them significant influence over society. The speaker notes that celebrities, although a small part of the population, can wield considerable power compared to ordinary citizens. They can sometimes avoid legal consequences for their actions, which is a stark contrast to the majority of the population. The speaker also distinguishes between the power elite and political majorities, emphasizing that being in the majority does not equate to being part of the power elite. The power elite typically consists of a small group of individuals who can influence vast amounts of resources and decisions.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Deviance

Deviance refers to any behavior that violates established social norms, which can range from minor social infractions to serious legal violations. In the video, deviance is discussed in the context of social control and the enforcement of norms, illustrating how societies maintain order by regulating behavior. The script mentions that deviance can be a violation of folkways, mores, or codified law.

💡Social Control

Social control is the regulation and enforcement of norms within a society. It is aimed at maintaining social order, which is the arrangement of practices and behaviors that society members follow in their daily lives. The video script explains that social control practices can vary across different cultures, regions, and time periods, such as the changes in social control from the 1950s to the 2020s.

💡Sanctions

Sanctions are the means of enforcing rules and can be either positive or negative. Positive sanctions, as mentioned in the script, are rewards given for conforming to norms, such as a promotion or raise at work. Negative sanctions are punishments for violating norms, like being arrested for shoplifting or facing demotion at work for poor performance. Sanctions are a key mechanism of social control.

💡Power Elite

The power elite concept, as discussed by C. Wright Mills, refers to a small group of people who hold a significant amount of power in society, typically through wealth or influence. The video script describes how this elite can be composed of corporate, military, and political leaders who coordinate to maintain or increase their wealth and power, often at the expense of the broader public interest.

💡Corporations

Corporations are business entities that are legally recognized as having their own rights and responsibilities. In the context of the video, corporations are part of the power elite, where corporate leaders can wield significant influence over policy and societal norms, especially in collaboration with political and military elites.

💡Military Elite

The military elite consists of high-ranking military officers who hold significant power, particularly in decisions related to defense and national security. The video script uses the example of military purchases during the Cold War Era, where military elites might agree to the over-purchase of equipment they don't need for personal gain or to support political agendas.

💡Political Elite

The political elite are influential politicians who can shape laws and policies. The video explains how politicians might collaborate with corporate and military elites to secure votes or bring jobs to their constituencies, sometimes at the expense of public need or welfare.

💡Salem Witch Trials

The Salem Witch Trials are a historical event used in the video as an example of labeling theory and deviance. They were a series of hearings and prosecutions of people accused of witchcraft in colonial Massachusetts. The trials are an example of how societal norms and fears can lead to the labeling and persecution of certain groups.

💡Labeling Theory

Labeling theory is a sociological concept that suggests how society labels certain behaviors as deviant, which can lead to the stigmatization and further marginalization of individuals. The video script connects this theory to the Salem Witch Trials, illustrating how labeling can result in severe social consequences.

💡Social Order

Social order refers to the arrangement of practices and behaviors that society members base their daily lives on. The video script emphasizes that the underlying goal of social control is to maintain social order, which can change over time and varies across cultures and regions.

💡Norms

Norms are the unwritten rules or standards that govern behavior in a society. They can be formal laws or informal expectations. The video script discusses how norms are enforced through social control mechanisms, and how sanctions are applied to those who conform to or violate these norms.

Highlights

Discussion on labeling theory, deviance, power elite, and the Salem Witch Trials.

Deviance defined as a violation of established social norms.

Social control is practiced by all societies to maintain order.

Social norms and their enforcement change over time and across cultures.

Sanctions, both positive and negative, are used to enforce norms.

Examples of positive sanctions include rewards for conforming to norms.

Negative sanctions are punishments for violating norms, such as arrests or demotions.

Power elite theory by Mills discusses the triangle of power.

The power elite consists of corporate, military, and political elites.

Examples of power elite influence include military purchases for political gain.

Power elite theory remains relevant in modern times.

Celebrities and powerful politicians can commit crimes with little legal retribution.

Power elite is not specifically a political group but often involves money.

Protest movements are generally not considered power elite due to lack of money influence.

Politicians are not automatically part of the power elite.

Power elite typically consists of a few people with significant influence.

Celebrities are a small part of the population but can wield considerable power.