Introduction

Political sociology is about how groups coalesce and battle for the policies and outcomes that benefit their members and, sometimes, society as a whole. These groups include the state apparatus, corporations, interest groups, labor unions, status groups (such as gender and race), political parties, and the media, which is often overlooked as a direct bargainer. In democratic countries, these conflicts are most often resolved peacefully, but violence can still erupt. Most conflicts are around individual income security, inflation, and unemployment (“the economy”); state-provided or regulated health care; major infrastructure projects (roads, bridges, and ports); and international relations and war (to name a few prominent policies). The outcomes of these battles depend on how energized, organized, and funded these groups happen to be. Institutions in civil society and government structures are also part of these interactions, but are generally the result of past conflicts, compromises, and agreements. This Weberian approach utilizes the concepts of class, status, and power. As a result, it utilizes both political economy and cultural arguments. As such, in both materialist and ideational explanations, group interaction, cooperation, and conflict are the essence of political sociology. Conversely, the great man or woman approach is the antithesis of political sociology. 1