5-18-16
Reading 49
1. What institutions form the “interlocking triangle” in Mills’s analysis? Why does he think these are the most powerful social institutions?
Mills states that the three institutions that form the interlocking triangle are economic, military, and political structures. He thinks these are the most powerful social institutions because the “interlocking triangle of power” these three create is the source of all directorate structure of the past and present.
2. Explain how Mills argues that the existence of a power elite is not a consequence of people per se but a result of the institutions of the U.S. society.
Mills argues that the existence of a power elite is not a consequence of people, but rather of the institutions of society in the sense that the elite would not have their wealth, power, or prestige if not for their positions in great institutions. These institutions, rather than people, are the chief means of acquiring wealth and power.
3. Does the lack of an aristocratic history mean that power is dispersed throughout U.S. history?
Mills states that the elite stratus is visibly very different from that of the nobel cousin hoods once in Europe. The US never passing through a feudal epoch is important insight as the the nature of the US elite, as well as our history as a whole. It means, essentially, that no aristocracy established before our current capitalistic era has stood in opposition of the bourgeoisie. But it does not mean that there isn’t a current elite upper strata is the US.
Reading 50
1. Why do you think many American politicians, especially those running for national offices, stress whenever possible “the humble nature of their social backgrounds?”
Politicians, although commonly multimillionaires, claim to have humble social backgrounds because they want to seem more accessible and relatable to the people who are voting for them. The majority of the nation is around the middle class, so they want to see a president in office that would have their best interests in place rather than just wanting to expand their already large political circle of wealth.
2. Why, compared with other countries like Denmark, are so many US legislators lawyers. And why are the most successful political candidates usually silent on controversial social issues?
Compared to other countries such as Denmark, the US has an astounding number of legislators that are lawyers. In the past, around 50 to 60 percent of those in the congressional system were lawyers, and as of now, 27 US presidents have been. This is strange in comparison to other countries, such as Denmark for example, who only has 2 percent of legislators that are lawyers. As stated by the author, the “marginalization of class issues” by the US political parties in combination with those in the judicial system create means for strong community of lawyers in the political system.
3. Based on this article, would you become President of the United States, why or why not?
Technically, I think it would be legal for me to become president of the United States, but, I think it would be very unlikely. Considering my gender, religion, and the fact that I wasn’t born in America, I don’t think my chances of election are very strong.
Reading 51
1. How does Osama Bin Laden's perspective differ from that found in Islamic teachings? Why does the 9/11 Commission descrive Bin Laden's worldview as an “extremist” position that promotes violence and terrorism?
Bin Laden’s perspective differs from common Islamic teachings in many ways, most of which involve how Bin Laden and his followers can be considered extremists or terrorists. Unlike the “Islam” that Bin Laden promoted, the true face of Islam isn’t one of terror and mass murder. Islam is a religion based on faith, respect, and love, and Bin Laden twisted its most extreme traditions to fit his terroristic approach to power.
2. After the 9/11 attacks, many people in the US wondered, “Why do ‘they’ hate us?” How does the 9/11 Commission answer this question?
The 9/11 Commission answers the question “Why do ‘they’ hate us?” by stating that Bin Laden claims that America had attacked Islam and are responsible for conflicts involving Muslims. They also say is America is to blame for the fights between Al Qaeda and the government. Finally, it’s rooted in the fact that America did not comply with Al Qaeda’s request to abandon the Middle East and convert to Islam.
3. What are the historical, political, religious, educational, and economic factors that increase Bin Laden's following?
Historically and politically, Islamist revival movements gained follows in the Muslim world after experiments in political Islam faltered in the 90s. Socially and economically, after a flood of wealth in the 80s, young and easily susceptible men were targets for radicalization in their search for a decent living.
Reading 49
1. What institutions form the “interlocking triangle” in Mills’s analysis? Why does he think these are the most powerful social institutions?
Mills states that the three institutions that form the interlocking triangle are economic, military, and political structures. He thinks these are the most powerful social institutions because the “interlocking triangle of power” these three create is the source of all directorate structure of the past and present.
2. Explain how Mills argues that the existence of a power elite is not a consequence of people per se but a result of the institutions of the U.S. society.
Mills argues that the existence of a power elite is not a consequence of people, but rather of the institutions of society in the sense that the elite would not have their wealth, power, or prestige if not for their positions in great institutions. These institutions, rather than people, are the chief means of acquiring wealth and power.
3. Does the lack of an aristocratic history mean that power is dispersed throughout U.S. history?
Mills states that the elite stratus is visibly very different from that of the nobel cousin hoods once in Europe. The US never passing through a feudal epoch is important insight as the the nature of the US elite, as well as our history as a whole. It means, essentially, that no aristocracy established before our current capitalistic era has stood in opposition of the bourgeoisie. But it does not mean that there isn’t a current elite upper strata is the US.
Reading 50
1. Why do you think many American politicians, especially those running for national offices, stress whenever possible “the humble nature of their social backgrounds?”
Politicians, although commonly multimillionaires, claim to have humble social backgrounds because they want to seem more accessible and relatable to the people who are voting for them. The majority of the nation is around the middle class, so they want to see a president in office that would have their best interests in place rather than just wanting to expand their already large political circle of wealth.
2. Why, compared with other countries like Denmark, are so many US legislators lawyers. And why are the most successful political candidates usually silent on controversial social issues?
Compared to other countries such as Denmark, the US has an astounding number of legislators that are lawyers. In the past, around 50 to 60 percent of those in the congressional system were lawyers, and as of now, 27 US presidents have been. This is strange in comparison to other countries, such as Denmark for example, who only has 2 percent of legislators that are lawyers. As stated by the author, the “marginalization of class issues” by the US political parties in combination with those in the judicial system create means for strong community of lawyers in the political system.
3. Based on this article, would you become President of the United States, why or why not?
Technically, I think it would be legal for me to become president of the United States, but, I think it would be very unlikely. Considering my gender, religion, and the fact that I wasn’t born in America, I don’t think my chances of election are very strong.
Reading 51
1. How does Osama Bin Laden's perspective differ from that found in Islamic teachings? Why does the 9/11 Commission descrive Bin Laden's worldview as an “extremist” position that promotes violence and terrorism?
Bin Laden’s perspective differs from common Islamic teachings in many ways, most of which involve how Bin Laden and his followers can be considered extremists or terrorists. Unlike the “Islam” that Bin Laden promoted, the true face of Islam isn’t one of terror and mass murder. Islam is a religion based on faith, respect, and love, and Bin Laden twisted its most extreme traditions to fit his terroristic approach to power.
2. After the 9/11 attacks, many people in the US wondered, “Why do ‘they’ hate us?” How does the 9/11 Commission answer this question?
The 9/11 Commission answers the question “Why do ‘they’ hate us?” by stating that Bin Laden claims that America had attacked Islam and are responsible for conflicts involving Muslims. They also say is America is to blame for the fights between Al Qaeda and the government. Finally, it’s rooted in the fact that America did not comply with Al Qaeda’s request to abandon the Middle East and convert to Islam.
3. What are the historical, political, religious, educational, and economic factors that increase Bin Laden's following?
Historically and politically, Islamist revival movements gained follows in the Muslim world after experiments in political Islam faltered in the 90s. Socially and economically, after a flood of wealth in the 80s, young and easily susceptible men were targets for radicalization in their search for a decent living.