Political Sociology

Political sociology studies the social bases of politics and power — how social structures, classes, and groups shape states, political behaviour, and the distribution of power.

Scope

It covers the state and society, power and elites, social movements and parties, political participation and culture, and the social conditions of democracy and authoritarianism.

Core questions

• What are the social foundations of political power?
• Who holds power in society?
• How do social cleavages shape politics?
• What social conditions sustain democracy?
• How do states and societies shape each other?

Key concepts

• Power
• Elites
• Social cleavages
• The state
• Political participation
• Legitimacy
• Iron law of oligarchy

Key theories

The iron law of oligarchy

Michels argued that even democratic organizations tend toward rule by a small elite.

The power elite

Mills argued power in modern society is concentrated in interlocking economic, political, and military elites.

Social bases of politics

Lipset linked political behaviour and the stability of democracy to social cleavages and conditions.

History

Drawing on Marx, Weber, and the elite theorists (Michels, Mosca, Pareto), political sociology matured mid-century with Mills's power-elite thesis and Lipset's work on the social bases of politics, later engaging social movements, the state, and democratization.

Debates

Pluralism versus elite theory

Whether power is dispersed among competing groups or concentrated in a cohesive elite.

Key figures

• Robert Michels
• C. Wright Mills
• Seymour Martin Lipset

Seminal works

• michels-1911
• mills-1956
• lipset-1960

Frequently asked questions

How does political sociology differ from political science?

Political sociology emphasizes the social bases and consequences of politics; political science centers on institutions and behaviour. They overlap heavily.