Groups & Organization: Key Concepts

This set of flashcards covers key concepts from the lecture on groups and organization, including McDonaldization, rationality, political theory, and various theoretical perspectives on government.

McDonaldization

The increasing presence of the fast-food business model in common social institutions, characterized by efficiency, predictability, calculability, and non-human technology.

Irrationality of Rationality

The concept that systems designed for efficiency can create inefficiencies, inhumanity, and inflexibility, often leading to unintended problems.

Weber's Rationalization

The process by which traditional forms of social organization are replaced by a focus on efficiency, rules, and calculations in modern society.

De-McDonaldization

The pushback against hyper-rational systems, emphasizing alternatives such as local markets and slow food movements.

Domination

The exercise of power over a group of people to direct them to comply with specific commands.

Authority

A situation where subordinates consider the domination by their leaders to be legitimate.

Politics

The means by which form is given to the life of a people, including the activity of striving to share power and influence its distribution.

Sovereignty

The political form in which a single central authority governs within a clearly defined territory.

Anarchism

The political principles and practice of social organization without formal or state leadership.

Hegemony

Domination through ideological control and consent, masking social inequalities.

Direct Democracy

A form of government where decision making is conducted through assemblies made up of all citizens.

Representative Democracy

A government wherein citizens elect officials to represent their interests.

Functionalism

A theoretical perspective that views government as fulfilling necessary functions for societal stability and collective goals.

Critical Sociology

A perspective focusing on power and inequality, arguing that the state serves dominant class interests.

Symbolic Interactionism

A theoretical framework that emphasizes micro-level interactions, symbols, and shared meanings in politics and power.