Power vs Politics

(1) What is “power”? What is “politics”? (define these terms per the reading). How does “power” relate to the concept of politics? What form does power take? How does it relate to the public interest? How do politics and power relate to the “rule of law”? (2) What types of power does the textbook discuss? HOW DO International Organizations, Nongovernmental Organizations, LEADERS, STATES, FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND OTHER CORPORATIONS DEMONSTRATE THEIR POWER?MANIPULATION? PROPAGANDA? What is hard power? What is soft power? What power do states , corporations have over politics and policy? Do they have have “hard” or “soft” power or both? What about “derivative” power?

Can the “rule of law” limit this power? (3) What influence do financial institutions and other multinational corporations have over politics and policy? ( Think about Ethos) What impact does corporate influence have on the financial and personal lives of average citizens? Do they infringe on individual rights? How? How do states, leaders and corporations influence democracy? How might these sources of power be brought under control? How are citizens responding to this unequal distribution of power? (4) -WHAT CAN YOU CONCLUDE ABOUT THE NATURE OF POWER IN POLITICS? Why is this important to understanding politics? Why should we care? Can you think of any current examples of how power is influencing politics? (maybe think about the policies of the Trump Administration?) Please state the Thesis as “My thesis”.