Sociology

Sociology

Introduction

The study of politics and power is always mingled with the study of society. The two cannot exist without one another. The American democrat government (2012-2016) takes a liberal stance on most social issues, such as abortion, same-sex marriage, and the provision of healthcare. The distribution of political power has a substantial bearing on the life chances of people in the American society who are under-represented in terms of social stratification, based on their ethnicity, race, class and/or gender. Special interest groups such as lobbies and grass root organizations play a vital role to forward or impede social change. The purpose of this essay is to assess social issues in the light of politics and power, influence of the prevalent political mood on socially stratified groups in society, and social change.

Discussion

Abortion, Same-Sex Marriages, and Healthcare and their Impact on our Political System

Abortion

Since the legalization of abortion in 1973 after Roe v. Wade the social issue of abortion remains very controversial in the United States. The Republican Party - champion of conservative politics, makes various arguments against the legalization of abortion whereas the current party in power, the Democrats, urge to further attempts to make abortion easily accessible, granting women the privacy rights promised under the 14th Amendment of the US constitution.

Same-Sex Marriages

The movement to acquire same-sex marriage rights began as early as 1970's, however, became a part of US politics by 1993 when the state's outlaw of same-sex marriages in Baehr v. Lewin was deemed unconstitutional and undemocratic. Popular vote, reflected in numerous national polls, reflects the public's opinion encouraging same-sex marriages. The Democrat President Barack Obama thus became the first U.S. president who publicly voiced his support for the legalization of same-sex marriages. Currently, nine states in the US including New York and Washington recognize same-sex marriages.

Healthcare

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2008, the United States spent more on health care per capita than any other nation. Statistics show that the U.S. pays twice as much as wealthy nations, yet lags behind in the effective and wholesome provision of healthcare. The healthcare reform debate in the United States is a socio-political issue since many years. Provision, funding, and decreasing the cost and social burden of healthcare are emphasized in the debate and Obama's healthcare reform plans were enacted in early 2010. The Democrats are primary advocates of both medical care and social security, and consider the provision of healthcare a fundamental human right. Obama's government stresses that the U.S. government has a moral responsibility to its people to provide for their healthcare. Communists claim the opposite and argue for less government intervention in healthcare provision.

Distribution of Political Power and its Effect on the Life Chances of Socially Stratified Groups

Distribution of Political Power in the United States

In the federal U.S. government political power branches out into three distinct spheres of political and judicial influence. These include the Executive, the Legislative, and the Judicial Councils. Lobbying groups are particularly powerful in the ...