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Domhoff

In: Social Issues

Submitted By ramel012
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I was not sure if should write on the first, second or third link, or all three, so I will discuss the first link in detail which is the Class-Domination Theory of Power. As Domhoff goes into detail about, it is hard to pin point one certain definition of power, and even one true definition does not show how power should be measured in quantity. Never-the-less, the upper class in the United States hold the power, have always held the power, and will continue to hold the power unless a radical social change takes place. One quote I found to be very helpful was when Domhoff stated that “Domination by the few does not mean complete control, but rather the ability to set the terms under which other groups and classes must operate.” In the United States, some people are offended by the fact that the rich hold the power. This is America, power is held by the people for the people. Or so we are led to believe. The upper class has kept the power for so long, they believe they are elite now and are the rightful owners of power. They benefit, so they govern, and ultimately “win”. I have to wonder though if the rich are really setting social norms as well as economic norms for the lower class. Dealing with the economy and income, the rich certainly do make it hard for lower class people to succeed, but socially I feel like each group has grown to have its own social norms. This has happened because the upper class in the United States has different goals than the lower class, so there is not one universal goal even though both groups strive to achieve it. The goals and norms of the lower class and upper class have gotten so far apart because rich people live and are amongst other rich people, while poor people hang out and live amongst other poor people, so there is almost a subculture going on. Such ideas of Domhoff’s as how the upper class feel they are elite and intermingle

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