POL105 Political Analysis

Assignment 2: Essay

Instructions:

Write a 1500 word response to any ONE of the questions below.  You may use additional readings which are not included on the POL105 Reading List, but they must be credible academic sources.  Please visit the Politics Undergraduate Shared Area on QMplus for guidance on formatting and referencing.  You should also familiarise yourself with the SPIR Marking Criteria, which is also available on the Politics Undergraduate Shared Area.

Due Date:

2nd January 2025 (by 1pm)

Questions:

1.   Analyse the differences between pluralist and elitist views on the distribution of power in society.

2.   Why is Dahl’s concept of power as decision-making useful for political analysis?  Give example(s) to explain your view.

3.   Why is Bachrach’sand Baratz’s concept of power as non-decision-making / agenda- setting useful for political analysis?  Give example(s) to explain your view.

4.   Why is Lukes’ concept of power as preference-shaping useful for political analysis?  Give example(s) to explain your view.

5.   Why is Foucault’s concept of power useful for political analysis? Give example(s) to explain your view.

6.   Of the four conceptions of power we have studied on this module, which one do you find most compelling and why?