Power and Political Participation (week 4)

4/21/2014

'Power is rooted in the control of coercive force and in the control of the means of production. However, in capitalist societies this reality is not legitimized by rendering the powerful divine, but obscuring their existence.' - Poor People's Movement Article

Read this article on the relationship between power and class. Within the political system participation is highly regulated by access to a variety of resources. This article highlights the various barriers to political participation and the use and misuse of power within the government. Read the article attached here.

In 150 words (minimum) answer the following questions. Be sure to respond to ONE other student.

What were the three major themes from the reading?
What did you learn about American political institutions?
How do you see yourself and your family within the framework provided by the author? What does political participation look like in your community?
What connections, if any, did you find with the article and your own experience of power and powerlessness?

50 Comments

Imani Sanders

4/24/2014 07:22:23 am

I believe some of the major themes of the reading were shown through ways which poor people are systematically oppressed and expected to remain silent, methods of defiance and uprising within communities that are joined in one common belief, and the ways in which the system takes advantage of the low class (in status and monies) political status to deteriorate their movement and crush their movement. I learned a number of things as far as American political institutions. In the government’s weakness, they will appeal to destroy and undermine the movement through publicity actions or violence. The upper class has granted access to these institutions that power and wields themselves over the lower class. Yet the upper class is inherent upon the lower class to build their power, in which the government takes a part in as well. Due to the framework by the author I see myself, and the ones I know, in the stages of responding to community or political change without structure. Not so much taking part of a strike, because I don’t provide anything crucial to the masses, yet I would be able to be involved through protests and ‘riots’. I realize from the reading that, only people with power whether through money, or what they provide to the masses through work, have the ability to change whatever they don’t agree/like in their surroundings. As far as connections to power/powerlessness I connect through not being in the position to explain or display what I don’t like in a position that will be received and respected among the masses. The wiggle room that I do have as someone who is not an elite, or government leader, is expressed through discussion and protest.

Dolly Perez

4/24/2014 11:28:24 am

Hey Imani! I agree with you. I understand were your coming from. The system we live in is all messed up and corrupt. The system is crazy they do take advantage of the lower class and want to keep it that way; were the rich stay rich and poor stay poor. I've even heard that supposedly they wanted to take out the exists of the middle class, so that there could only be the rich and the poor. But I don't know much of it, if it is going to happen, I wouldn't be surprised if it is in the thought process right now. I do agree with you that people with money are capable of making process when wanting to change something, but don't let the money that rich people have make you feel as though WE can't make a change because believe me its harder when one person is trying to change the world, but TOGETHER we are stronger and much much more capable of successfully making something happen. We have to get our community on the same page as us to have the desire to change the things in out society. We have power but not many people know how to use it. We must grow, and learn from one another; rather than killing each other. Its US, the people against our corrupted government. We are one. We must work on that.

Kaylie Otsuka

4/24/2014 04:02:55 pm

Imani,
I too interpreted the silence of the lower-class as a natural reaction of deviance, despite the loud message presented by such defiance. I think it's sad that all we care about is money, and how money can take you to the top of the social hierarchy. I like how you explained that only money can achieve social amendments rather than the expression of everyone collectively as individuals.
Have a great week!
Kaylie

Armando Arzate

4/25/2014 02:19:38 am

Great post it was well written and thought out. I too am in the same situation I would or have a desire to form/participate in protest and so forth however, it just never happens well at least not anymore. We are set up to fail in this country as it does not benefit the rich for a minority or lower class uprising. We are constantly being told what they want us to know and not what we should know. It is somewhat or better said very frustrating to know there is something that needs to be done but to be stuck or have no sense of direction. I understand there is no excuse you can actually try and make time however, one questions oneself if 20-50 people in a conference room will actually make a big difference. But the seed is planted all we need to do is actually do something.

CYNTHIA YANG

4/25/2014 06:00:46 am

The upper class is nothing without the lower class. The lower class is the upper class' element to life. Back in the day, who fed the rich? The poor people work their butts off to feed themselves and the rest of the world. They work ten times as hard to do what they are capable of. The lower class are pretty amazing in my eye. The upper class think they have control, power, and force over the lower class but they're wrong. Money doesn't buy them everything. The poor class will work their way up and take their place in the standing before we know it.

Joann Truong

4/28/2014 03:08:42 pm

Hey Cynthia, I totally agree with what you are saying. I too believe that the upper class is nothing without the lower class. without a lower class, there is no such thing as an upper class. But without an upper class, there is no such thing as a lower class, so it works both ways. This is totally off topic but when you mentioned that money doesn't buy them everything, it reminded me of the cliche "money doesn't buy you love". In my opinion everyone is after them for their money, I feel sorry for them because they will never know who is actually there for them and not their money. I personally think that there shouldn't be a class to divide us, we are all human beings, why should we have a class identify us?

Tony Zhi D. Li link

4/25/2014 05:11:35 pm

Hi Imani, I totally agree with you. In the poster, you pointed out that “I don’t provide anything crucial to the masses, yet I would be able to be involved through protests and ‘riots’.” Yes, that is what I did. As a growing young man, I realized that there is nothing I can do. There is better way to do it, such as Mahatma Gandhi’ case.

Duc Doan

4/28/2014 04:26:01 am

Hey i agree that the system we lived in is not as good. Our system does not care about the lower class people and the lower class people do not want to speak up because they are scared of the elite class of people. Which makes it an uneven battle. We lived in a country where money and power wins. People who try to battle that will lose, thats why people with money will win in our court system.

Dolly Perez

4/24/2014 11:26:35 am

I agree with you. I understand were your coming from. The system we live in is all messed up and corrupt. The system is crazy they do take advantage of the lower class and want to keep it that way; were the rich stay rich and poor stay poor. I've even heard that supposedly they wanted to take out the exists of the middle class, so that there could only be the rich and the poor. But I don't know much of it, if it is going to happen, I wouldn't be surprised if it is in the thought process right now. I do agree with you that people with money are capable of making process when wanting to change something, but don't let the money that rich people have make you feel as though WE can't make a change because believe me its harder when one person is trying to change the world, but TOGETHER we are stronger and much much more capable of successfully making something happen. We have to get our community on the same page as us to have the desire to change the things in out society. We have power but not many people know how to use it. We must grow, and learn from one another; rather than killing each other. Its US, the people against our corrupted government. We are one. We must work on that.

Alvin Luna

4/25/2014 01:10:54 pm

I agree that if we work together we can really change the world for the better. If we really want to change something then we're going to have to fight for it. I really like how you believe so strongly about this. The government may be corrupt but one day it will be fixed because people will fight for their beliefs rather than be afraid.

Brenda Rangel

4/27/2014 09:28:17 am

It is important to begin to work together because the message holds greater power than seeking change at an individual level. Rather than focusing on who has experienced the worse form of oppression or believing that other groups cannot help the change your seeking. Until now we have worked within the framework set for us, but it is also time to change the situation rather than just hope to see things change.

Kaylie Otsuka

4/24/2014 03:57:48 pm

• What connections, if any, did you find with the article and your own experience of power and powerlessness?
From the reading, I collected that the three main themes were within a cyclical process, conditioned by the institution rather than the leaders. First in the cycle is the power of the elite verses the lower-class and the abuse of control. Second, the defiance of groups against the social order occurs. Finally, protests are either won or bribed to stop by the elite. Either way, this cycle continues as the majority of power is vested within the upper-class peoples.
Power, controlled by elite, was used and maintained through both production and consumption. “First, people experience deprivation and oppression within a concrete setting, not as the end product of large and abstract processes, and it is the concrete experience that molds their discontent into specific grievances against specific targets.” For example, during the industrial revolution, working conditions were poor, exploiting these low-class workers, ensuring that political bosses such as Tweed only become richer, and the poor remaining poorer. This non-monopolized capitalistic process increased the separation between social classes.
The theme of defiance was widely seen within the article. Because protesting was defined as going against political norms, in the pluralist electoral representative example, this happened due to “traditional biases.” In other words, “…those who control the means of producing wealth, have power over those who do not.” These traditional norms ensured the natural separation of hierarchy, providing power of men and women by “location in the class structure.” Free choice was not available to all classes, especially excluded are the poor. This caused many to rebel against the social order, within large groups; according to Aristotle to achieve equality. Because the lower-class is incapable of protecting themselves, they become vulnerable to abuse and neglect by those higher up. Because no one cares about their voice enough to represent it, they remain silent or bribed away, further conforming to the cycle of oppression and defiance.
From this excerpt, I had learned the importance of the lower-class in everyday life. Although unfairly treated, they act as the back bone to any institution and are undervalued. I also learned how the electoral process does not help the poor but enables them to become more vulnerable to mistreatment. Based on the text, I believe my family falls into the middle-class, as we are not political bosses and we are not lower-class dealing with exploitation and capitalistic abuse. To me, the political participation in my community seems quite silent. Although things are being built and established, people do not visually contribute; most likely contributions are financial. From the article, I connected the powerlessness and mistreatment in the work place with my first job. A laborious job, I never felt the compensation was right for the amount of hours and work put into the job.

Michael Plaza

4/28/2014 07:43:10 am

Kaylie, indeed the reading purports that there is an elite few that are in control of society. You say that traditional norms encouraged the separation in the hierarchy of power, this sounds to me like the way that society is structured creates a new kind of caste system, since the gap between one social class and the next is becoming wider and wider, and more and more improbable to traverse. I agree with you that it seems most political action takes the form of dealing with finances, it seems like its all about money and nothing else. I fall within the same class as you, the middle-class. I agree with you that it feels as though my family is getting exploited by capitalism, so much so that my father had to move away from home for work in order to support our family.

Armando Arzate

4/25/2014 02:08:47 am

There are many themes that one can get from this reading however; three major ones would include the power of the elite class, the struggle of the non-conforming oppressed people, and ultimately the inability to fight oppression because of fear. The reading gave me a lot of insight on American political institutions and how it seems that oppressed people continue to be oppressed by the elite class that do not only influence but are even part of the government at times. We can mutually agree that there is something wrong with the way our government works however, not much gets done because people do not take action for various reasons or loose desire to keep fighting without the support of the rest of the people. I see myself and my family as the lower-middle class that know there is something that should be done but in all honesty do not do much to try to make change. It is not that we do not want to however; the government has set up the lower classes for failure. For example, I currently go to school full-time, work full-time, have homework and studying I must do, and on top of that I have a child and family I must attend to. I do not say it is impossible for me to try to take initiative however, sometimes resting or being with the family is what we do on our time off instead of doing what I could do and that is what the government wants. The government wants us to be so wrapped up in our busy schedules, our own realities, and media so that we may stay ignorant or so that we do not take action.
Fear is what drives us away from taking the initiative to do something. People fear that it will take up time away from their jobs, from their families; they often question if others will support them or where do they even start? The unknown scares us as well as knowing that we are just people against this large well established government that has a lot of power over us. But we need to realize that we the people have a voice and together we are much larger that the well established government; we must remember that they need us more than what we need them. The poor will be poor even without the rich however; the rich cannot be rich without the poor.

Victor Garcia Hernandez

4/25/2014 04:11:04 am

I completely understand your view on this issue and I'm glad to know that you can see through the facade our government places in front of us. The government has a precise purpose for us and our lives and it does not include our consent. Our entire government system is functioning under a hidden agenda which is largely invisible to the population. However, I understand that you have a family, and that gives you purpose in life that nobody should redirect. I'm glad to know that something even as big as the government does not get in your way of you and your family, so all the facades and the illusions the government uses to veil us with are largely ineffective to you. However, you are correct in saying that together as a society we can override the policies of any well-established government.

Victor Garcia Hernandez

4/25/2014 03:54:42 am

Major themes of this article that stood out for me were discussions of protest (whether noticeably defiant or seemingly docile), differentials between the social classes in our county, the compliance of regulatory government procedures such as voting, the underlying agenda of government ideology, and also the behaviors and expectations of the political culture. I learned that American Political Institutions have maintained a culture where the poorer classes are made to feel largely powerless and ashamed. I learned that governments gained their power through two simple catalysts: control of means of production and control of wealth. This observation is fairly noticeable and obvious to me in the course of my life and in my experiences with different societies; I've always noticed several different means to power in society through productivity and wealth (among others). My family and I, however, are categorized as the poor, working class who is largely unaware of the system and is also largely uninspired by its rewards. We do not protest (although we've had infinite reasons to do so), but rather acquiesce to the rules of the government for the sole purpose of getting by. In my community, political participation consist of rituals like voting, boycotting, protesting, and advocating for components of our government. I find a lot of similarities between this article and my personal experiences with power and powerlessness. Many of my peers from poorer backgrounds have fear of their government due to the belief of powerlessness, unaware that in group, the power of the poor increases ridiculously. In my years of education, I have learned that citizens of this country are hardly powerless against their government but simply lack knowledge or concern about it.

Cynthia Kay

4/25/2014 03:58:14 pm

Do the elite really make the poor feel powerless and ashamed or do they do that to themselves? And I think it is the government's job to control production (GDP) and wealth (taxes) isn't it? I just don't think they are doing a good job of it because of interference with the GOP. I agree with your reasons as to why your peers fear the government but encourage them that we cannot be a democratic society without empowerment and education.

Travis Himebaugh

4/25/2014 05:01:52 am

There is one passage in this article that struck a chord with me- when the article's writer stands up to Aristotle. In case you missed it, Aristotle believed that the root of all rebellion was a desire to rectify inequality, and by corollary inequality will breed rebellion. The Poor People's Movement differ, arguing that people are unlikely rebel because they are unlikely to even notice when things are inequal.

I'm not sure how well exactly history confirms that statement (French Revolution strikes me as a big inequality- based rebellion, not that I'm any kind of expert) but that same sentiment does appear in our own Declaration of Independence. "Disposed to suffer evil when evils are sufferable," right? (I’m paraphrasing a little there). Or, hell, here's one from my favorite TV show: “The common people pray for rain, healthy children and a summer that never ends. It is no matter to them if the high lords play their game of thrones, so long as they are left in peace.” (George R.R. Martin). It's a point. People in the lower classes don't get the luxury of worrying about high ideals like freedom. They're trying to make sure they have food and shelter, which, really, only wage-slave jobs can help them obtain. My reference to "high lords" may sound anachronistic, but think about it- people who own corporations control whether or not we receive wealth, and we don't really get to hold them accountable for their actions. That is exactly like social castes.

This probably sounds overwhelmingly negative, but bear in mind that in America we do have some control over who we elect and what legislation is passed. That is our weapon against inequality, and we can only utilize it when we know what we are doing.

Leslie Werle

4/25/2014 05:49:39 am

I agree with you about the connection to Aristotle and whether they notice things are unequal or not. I think most of the lower class is quite aware of how unequal things are but like you said they are too busy trying to feed their families and afford their rent every month to really worry about if their voices are being heard and whether they voted for the people. It's how the upper class keeps control over the lower class. Keep them so tired that they don't have the energy to worry about the inequalities they deal with daily. You are right though. They do have a voice and they do have options. They just need to be taught what they are so they aren't as under the thumb of the upper class as they have always been. Great post by the way. Unfortunately a lot of the way I feel about the things we are learning is negative. It makes me sad but it's true.

Farkhanda

4/25/2014 04:34:13 pm

Hi Leslie I also think that Travis makes some good points on how individuals in a society have the choice of who to run their country and how but like you suggested the common people are either too absorbed with their lives to care or worry about politics. There only concern is the next pay check and food on the table. Lower class citizens have different mentalities and thoughts than upper class men, which were influenced on how they were brought up and what kind of education they received. As Travis mentioned, our tool to end the inequality or injustices we face is our voices and the tools we have to change ourselves.

Travis Himebaugh

4/26/2014 03:01:21 pm

Forgive me, misread the assignment and did not give three separate messages from this article. However, I did at least observe them:
1) power in America is centered on the wealthy (things are unequal)
2) People have a tendency (an obligation?) to rebel against inequality (kind of the starting point for my post)
3) When said rebels band together they can right this inequality (to put it somewhat sophomorically, the Revolution is coming)

Leslie Werle

4/25/2014 05:42:47 am

There were many important points in this article but most revolved around the same ideas. The first theme I noticed is the description of the differences in social groups/classes. Second, the amount of power that each group is led to believe they have which greatly influences the way they protest. The poor protest the only way they are able, by rioting, boycotting or if they hold a job, in a factory perhaps, that not many have the skill to do, by striking. Lastly I noticed the repeated discussion on the manipulation of the lower class by the government and the upper class, which let’s be honest is pretty much the same thing. The poor’s protests are always stopped somehow, either by meagerly conceding to demands or by physical force. The upper class has made the lower class believe that they deserve to be where they are and if you believe that why would you try to rise above it. Without people who are willing to work for meager earnings the upper class would not be able to make the kind of money they do.

While reading this article the things I have been learning the last few weeks have just been solidified in my mind, mainly the point that our government is not representative no matter what they would have us believe.

I have the unique opportunity to be able to see this article from both sides, and truthfully it’s as frustrating from the top as it is from the bottom, to me at least. I grew up in a trailer park; my parents grew up in trailer parks, dirt poor, quite literally, with very little hopes for the future. My family is one of the few that has broken through that lower class ceiling. My parents went to college later in their lives and have worked very hard to be where they are today. The thing I find frustrating and powerless to do anything about is that most of the time I feel like they have forgotten where they come from, something, which I have vowed never to do. My family volunteers a lot, they are on the boards for many companies that do great things, Second Harvest, YWCA, San Jose Animal Shelter, etc, but when it comes down to it, their views on many things are stereotypically upper class and I suppose there isn’t much I can do to change that. I can be true to myself though, and be as helpful and as encouraging as I can to all those people who think that things can’t change and to remind them that they can. The government wishes us to feel powerless, we must always remember that we are not powerless. No matter our social standings we can make a difference.

CYNTHIA YANG

4/25/2014 05:49:59 am

In the article “Poor People’s Movements and the Structuring of Protest” mainly talks about how the power of force can gain control of money and money can gain power of force, power controls belief from whether it’s right to wrong, and free choice is not available to all groups but directly pointing fingers at the lower class. From the reading, I was able to understand that in the American political situation, the rich group has more power over the poor. The rich feeds off of the poor and still manages to overpower them with money, rules, and showing them that they are nothing more than what they already are. So to say, they belong in poverty, they belong to struggle nonstop, and they belong to be powerless. According to the frameworks, I see myself and my family doing what’s right for a good cause, which is making sure there’s equality spread towards everyone, including the poor. Leaving the poor on the edge with no hope or nothing at all is wrong in so many ways. The poor doesn’t even get a free choice, what kind of bogus is that? Within my community, there are strikes and to support, I honk as I drive by. But I initially don’t go marching which I should start. There are connections that I found with the article that relates me to be have power, nor powerless. I take no interest to have power of force for any group or individually. I, on the contrary, don’t allow myself to be powerlessness.

Brenda Rangel

4/25/2014 06:36:09 am

Throughout the reading some of the major themes presented are the oppression of the people, the power held by the elite, and use of fear to prevent actions to end oppression. This reading brought greater attention to the manipulation of our system, in regards to the political participation of the elite class. They position themselves in the government; which increases their influence to help those in their own class. Those under oppression, remain under such conditions through their utilization of fear. There is something wrong in the running of our government and this will remain so until we all decide to take action in seeing a change. Individuals holding power look to make divisions among the oppressed, this keeps us fighting each other; not allowing for unity in achieve the same goal. It become difficult to have the want to participate in a government designed to quiet your voice. While my family is not very politically active, being from Oakland political participation comes in the form of protest. Often it is difficult to find the time because we are all working, going to school, and have families; this is something I must work on if I want to change the running of “our” government.

Jose Dominguez

4/28/2014 08:19:51 am

Brenda,
Your thoughts on the article are well put. I agree with everything you said. The elitist have so much influence in our government causing them to get what they want. Then the lower class loses hope and thinks they cannot change our system. The lower class needs to learn that they are the reason our country is still operating. They need to lose the fear and stand up for their rights.

Roxana Chavez

4/25/2014 06:53:53 am

This article has really opened my eyes to another side of the government that we may have no idea about. The three major themes that stood out to me from this article are: power of the government v. the power of the elite class, restraining power to rise in the lower class, and the true role of protesting tactics. With this article, along with what we have discussed in class, I have learned that we really don’t follow a representative government. There are ways in which we do follow a representative government, like the voting process of it and how it is constructed to be represented. However, according to the article, we only vote on the ideas that the elite class has chosen for us. It is like there is a secret meeting being held by the elite class to choose two options that they like best, and the tiebreaker to be society through the voting process. This just demonstrates how much more power the higher classes have amongst us, which is probably why we believe in going on strikes. It is also for this reason that I see my family and I as part of the group that is constantly fighting for the power that we deserve as the lower class. There should not be any right for the elite class to think that we don’t have the right to continue to rise above as high as them.
This has reminded me of an experience with power and powerlessness at my job. Working on campus has its benefits, but never worth working with Aramark. As the union strike continues, students’ hours continue to be cut every week because the adults believe that we are not reliable enough to hold our position. They, as the elite class, set the same example that was demonstrated in the article and how they try to control us, students, and set us to believe that we only have the option to follow what they want or leave our jobs. I find this to be repulsive and believe that as students, we can have the right to protest to the adults and make them believe that we deserve the hours we want.

Jennifer Hernandez

4/25/2014 08:11:58 am

I like how you pointed out that in a way majority of this society is ruled by the institutions only set out by the lite class. We are told to follow and that we only have certain ways to make a change, like voting. We can do bigger and better things than just voting to make a change in what the elite thinks we hold to believe we deserve. In a way, it does show us who really seems to have more power in the government and social issues. Like the article says, we the "non-elite" can mainly resolve to protesting to get our words heard.

Jennifer Hernandez

4/25/2014 08:04:35 am

Some of the major themes in the article I think would be how protest and uprisings are built by a bigger group of people which is the mass of citizens through institutional, or government influence. That it’s not really something the leaders or organizations lead, but shape by the social hierarchy and social construct we built this country to be. Like in the article, we set ourselves to think we deserve what we get from this capitalist type society. In a way I learned that American political institutions have a big influence on our communities more than we thought through many factors like power and force, but can’t really fathom how certain groups, especially those of the lower class come to the point where they break and choose to defy them and their “institutions.” That these political institutions will do anything in their power to stop any form of liability to their force whether it is through money, violence, or acts they create. Looking at myself and my family, we don’t really seem to be like most of the majority when it comes to protest or riots. I am not as political aware of many things, but I am to some. My family as well they get informed through articles, the news, or other media, but we don’t tend to act on it. Seeing as I live here in the bay area and live in Hayward, I see political participation a lot in areas like Berkeley, San Francisco, and at times even hear in this town. I think that people are somewhat starting to get more active as the time passes since our social institutions are starting to change more frequently and we all have questions we want answers to. Speaking in terms pf power and powerlessness, I am not a person with a huge impact or influence when it comes to political movements or rioting, but hopefully someday I will feel the need to. Right now, I think that the power I can come with is the knowledge to know and be informed of the many things people are fighting for in present day to be more of an active thinker when these things come to mind. I am only barely trying to get to know more of the political mind set and the issues revolving around this world.

Jose Dominguez

4/25/2014 10:39:01 am

The poor usually get stepped on by the elite and rich. Through the themes of government actions, social differences, and the rise of the poor, this article helps demonstrate how some changes can happen in American. I learned that the American political institutions will favor the rich. The elite will do whatever it takes to stay on top. A lot of the big companies will help government officials by providing money to help them. I would place my family and myself in the lower middle class of America. We know that the government is wrong, but do not get involved with trying to help change it. If the whole lower and middle class stood up I believe political institutions would listen. I am not sure how involved my community is with politics. I do see the political signs around my community when it is voting session. My own experience with power and powerless is at my job. My manager is the boss and I have to listen to him, even when he wants something I think is dumb, done, but I am working on gaining more power at my job.

Eduardo Martinez

4/28/2014 12:31:50 pm

I like how you reference voting session. Community should focus who is representing them . Other believe not voting and other voting is great due to the faith we have. We seem to busy or cool not to vote. That is where companies come and make some kind of a proposition. We do stand however, daily stuff will occur to deny use to help what it is best. I feel we stand too late.

Duc Doan

4/25/2014 12:49:17 pm

The three major themes that I got from the reading were power of the high-class people, people inability to speak up, and method of defiance. People in the upper and elite class have much more have a say and power over people who are poor and not as wealthy. In a way I learned that in American politics, power and class matters. People in the upper echelon of things get more of a say that those who doesn’t have power. When the people with less power try to speak up which is when they protest, they face consequences for voicing their opinions or concerns. While there are a few that want to speak out, the rest choose not to because they don’t know that they can win against elite power of people. That is the problem in todays society, which some people are scared to speak their mind because they don’t want to be in trouble. So they accept what they are given right or wrong and sadly that’s how society works. In my community, people choose to vote and stuff. Whenever there’s and election, I see a lot of people at the polls. I, myself vote also but in terms of protesting and stuff, I don’t do that. In connection with the article, yes I do feel kind of powerless in today world, because I am not in the upper echelon of power, so that makes me one of many people who are being rule by the 1 percent of the country.

Eduardo Martinez

4/25/2014 12:59:41 pm

After reading the assign article, I have analyzed the three main idea, the power structure of Elite due to their wealth. Their wealth can oversee political changes for their own behalf. The protest being restrain by the government or media. Media expose these protest in such a matter that others will disagree on their believes. Today's protest, protest permits has to be issue. Another matter that caught my attention is Elite undermining the lower class. Lower class has to live check per check in their lives. However, when a corporation wants to lower their wage cut, obviously we see a boycott. Corporations can either fire them but this will only decrease the productivity. Corporations then makes a rebuttal stating to move to another foreign country for lower wage privileges. Of course, lower class comes to their senses that they will lose their job and other sort of resources. It is disgusting how corporations can undermine these condition to their employees.
Soccer organizations is all politics. No one will ever imagine the amount of money going to these organizations. Newark soccer revenue 600,000 dollars. A city offering soccer for youths bracketing this significant amount of money is beyond greed. Cities who offer soccer for youths should have a revenue less than 30,000 dollars. Imagine an academy who offers less to play soccer and provide uniforms for a lower cost. Upper clubs would refuse to play along side with an academy who offer little to the public.

Alvin Luna

4/25/2014 01:08:53 pm

One of the major themes I found were that the poor aren't as powerful as the rich and that they will be walked all over. Another theme I found was the ways different classes protested. They would do what they knew in order to try and facilitate some sort of change. The other theme that was discussed was the power that the government has. I learned that the political institutions aren't fair and will favor those with power and wealth. The poor aren't looked at the same or considered in the same league due to these class differences. I see myself and my family as middle class, we aren't poor but we're not rich. There is a bit of political participation in my community. I often see people sitting at tables trying to get young people to register to vote. I don't really have many experiences of power and powerlessness that were evident in my life.

Elizabeth Avalos

4/25/2014 01:15:39 pm

Three of the most prominent themes that have stood out to me in this article are the inequalities amongst social classes, the fear to fight oppression that has been inflicted upon the lower class, and the measure of power that is held by the elite. "Poor People's Movements and the Structuring of Protest" has only further proven the influence and power that the elites have in this country over that of lower class citizens. Due to fear, the poor remain restricted and limited because they are frightened by the potential consequences that speaking up could provoke. It is no secret that the elite possess a stronger voice than the lower class, and the poor are simply living in the rich's world. My family and I would fall under the lower middle class category. We are not extremely politically involved, and for the most part, are only aware of the situations and stories that make it into the news. Despite having lived in Oakland for nearly 30 years now, my family has never been politically involved. Recently there were many riots here, but because they involved a lot of violence, we decided to support from home. Although my managers and bosses at work are extremely understanding, open to suggestions, and for the most part fair, at times my job feels like it can demand too much from me while I am not receiving enough in return. This mostly has to do with the fact that I started recently, therefore I hold one of the bottom positions.

Dolly Perez

4/25/2014 01:35:37 pm

From the reading one the topics that caught my eye, was how the wealthy upper class are trying to contain the poor. The amount of power that people have and contain is all through the amount money they hold in their bank accounts. The upper class has the ability to control, those who are not as wealthy. Another thing I saw was the voting system was corrupt; many people are often pushed to voting in one direction. Money rules everything around us. Money makes the world go round. As sad as it is to say that the world runs on the money. The upper class, the rich are protected and have power. They have to the power to control others who don’t have power (money). Money talks for people and controls the way they live life. Changing the behavior of consciousness would have a huge impact on people because then it would or could be more likely to work as a whole rather than in singles. Our society would be stronger and unique. Going about protest, they would be more successful and without violence. The American Political Institution is corrupted and ran by people who are all very wealthy working with large corporations’. Engaging in politics in my community would be encouraging others to be aware of what’s happening to our society and our community. Also looking for ways to make change in our society and make our community better. Getting involved and looking for opportunities to grow positively within the community. Being open minded would help also because many people seem to think that accept who their leaders are and accept the rights that are being presented to them. In ways I do feel that I am powerless because I don’t have the money to make a change as fast as I would like. But without a doubt I have the power to make a change, desperately wanting to see change. Me, working alone, I am not as power as working with a large amount of people and building something together to make progress.

Elizabeth Avalos

4/28/2014 03:22:32 am

I agree with you when you say that the amount of power people have is directly related to the amount of money they have in their bank accounts. Sadly, this has proven to be true. Unfortunately, the power and influence of our voice is a reflection of how much money we make, making a rich person's voice louder than that one of a "poor" person. Money certainly does talk, and you have perfectly described that in this post. Keep up the great work!

Christopher

4/25/2014 02:14:28 pm

There are three major themes in this article: For poor and working class peoples, protest is often the only tool they have in the fight to be heard, though the way our society is structured often limits even the means and efficacy of the poor’s protest movements. Secondly, in order for protest movements to be effective, those in protest must be able to hold considerable leverage over those with economic and political power. Because social and political unrest is required for effective protest movements to take place, opportunities are infrequent. Finally, protest movements are often subverted by either the co-option or forced suppression of those in political power. This leads inevitably to those outside of a protest movement to become unsympathetic to the cause, as was the case during the civil rights movement and the student protest movement of the 1960’s (although these were not entirely destroyed. The vestiges of these movements can be felt to this day).
The end of this article states that eventually all protest movements suffer demise because of the response of the state both to forcefully repress opposition and also to bring the opposition into the system, therefor diffusing its power. I don’t necessarily agree with this, I believe that as much as government and the political climate change to make protest less possible, so too does a movement change with the changing political climate. The question is which will change faster.
In my immediate community, participation in politics takes on many forms. I am a member of a ten person Cooperative collective that shares food and rent, participates in direct democracy decision making, grows our own food, and are active in the activist community. Our food consumption values are reflective of our food politics, as is our decision to engage in DIY culture indicative of our consumption politics. I’ve been a member of this community for almost four years now, and we were directly involved with various Occupy movements (specifically Occupy Cal and Occupy Oakland). Many of my friends were arrested because of their involvement and we all faced oppression while exercising our right to assemble. I think it’s important to note, however, especially, in light of the article we read, that given the racial, social, ethnic, and class backgrounds of many of my community members, we were not as at risk as others were, and did not have as much at stake. It is important during these discussions to be able to situate oneself within a framework of power and privilege. It was a result of our privileges as (predominantly) white, middle-class, American citizens that many of us had both the time and money to be able to take time off to organize and protest.
That’s all for now!

Michael Plaza

4/25/2014 02:15:24 pm

This article brings up important philosophical aspects about the uprising of people against inequality, but brings up the point that the inequality is present, but the uprising is absent. The article posits that the rich controlling the poor is the basis of our political system, and perhaps the basis of any political system created by man. The article also frequently refers to entity known as "political elites" that by and large influence heavily any decision made by anybody. One of the most powerful experiences of powerlessness I connected with this article was the occupy protests in that the purpose of them was to somehow bring to light that there is a one percent of, perhaps these "elite" so mentioned by the article, that are in possession of a absurd majority of wealth in the United States. The occupy protests were all shut down and swiftly silenced. What I find interesting is that the same oppression of the poor occurs over and over again throughout human history, even during ancient times. Why is it that people must see to it that if they gain enough power to abuse those less fortunate than themselves, they do just that? It is sad to see, and it makes me truly sad to see that it is persistent even in the modern times that we live in, in the present time. How can people make these decisions that abuse those that are most in need? What is the purpose of this? What is the purpose if it is such blindly guided by materialism and greed? It is a purpose that is created in vain it is such.

Eduardo Ruiz

4/25/2014 02:28:38 pm

The major theme from this reading is that those who control the wealth control the power, and with that control, everything and everyone under them. I feel like I didn’t learn much from the reading that I didn’t already know because in my experience I can see that the average person can, for the most part, have their voices heard if they put in a lot of effort in, more effort then what seems necessary. Then you see these people, or companies, with so much money that they seem to buy their way into or out of anything. For me this is one of the most discouraging aspects of political participation, that I would have to put in so much effort and it be taken away by someone with a lot more money then me. But then there is my mother who has been apart of many work related walkouts and protest saying that ever extra little push counts but I guess I don’t have that kind of motivation.

Bree Hart

4/25/2014 02:40:46 pm

Three major themes I found in the article were: types of defiance, protesting, and the power of the elite class. What really stood out to me was the quote, "Power is rooted in the control of coercive force and in the control of the means of production. However, in capitalist societies this reality is not legitimated by rendering the powerful divine, but by obscuring their existence." Coerce means "to compel by force", "to bring about through the use of force or other forms of compulsion."Meaning power is forced upon these people. In politics, many government officials forget about the poor and focus on the rich. They focus on the rich because in reality, they will support them more and donate more money. The poor are oppressed and put down because of their economical status. A line that also really stuck out to me was, "Moreover, at most times and in most places, and especially in the United States, the poor are led to believe that their destitution is deserved, and that the riches and power that others command are also deserved." Why do people feel as if they can't leave their economical status, and better yet why do they feel they need to be labeled with an economical status. Does money define if you are rich, it depends on who you are asking. I saw this clip of Bob Marley talking, and he was asked "do you have a lot of riches?" and he said, "what is that?" and the man said "like money" and Marley responded with "my riches is life."
I live in a suburb community, and everyone in California is about some cause and/or helping people. I'm constantly approached by someone wanting me to join a cause, or sign something so that a proposition can be placed on a ballot. Everyone is involved in politics in some way Our high school especially, the most popular teacher is the Mayor and I believe he's running for a higher position in government so all the students support him and get involved to help him out with his campaign. I believe since I'm an African American woman, I face a lot of oppression one for my ethnicity, and two for my gender. I couldn't really relate to any points in the article, but I feel as if I'm constantly dealing with oppression. I always have to prove people I'm not the stereotypical African American and that the stereotypes are really wrong. I am not a color or a gender, I'm a human and I shouldn't be defined by those things.

Lars Velken

4/25/2014 03:20:39 pm

The authors illustrate in three points that: changes of large scale to the structure and function of institutions warrant protest, the form of the protest organization is determined by the social structure of its participants, and that the elite whom the protest is targeted towards responds in ways to uphold the institutional structure they have created and in a sense do not respond to the protest itself but rather the functional stress incurred by their institution in jeopardy. From the reading I have discerned some real differences between government institutions and capitalist organizations, and learned to see through the illusions depicted by the charade of politics. I found the quote to be particularly powerful in its explanation of power becoming hidden to maintain its superiority and hegemony, rather than displayed in a naïve exposition. My family’s political participation is seemingly non-existent, and that translated to me a mixture of ambivalence and apathy. I see the potential in every conversation for reasons to get angry, rally, and mobilize as a group in protest, but I am discouraged by my own history of impartialness and the lack of enthusiasm by my peers.

Cynthia Kay

4/25/2014 03:40:09 pm

Unless I completely missed the mark, the 3 major themes I noted from the article were:
• Power is rooted in the control of coercive force and in the control of the means of production.
• The emergence of popular uprisings reflects profound changes in the larger society
• The limitations and opportunities for mass protest are shaped by social conditions

As for the effect on political institutions, Political institutions will react if a disruption is a representation of society as a whole and less likely to react if the disruption represents a smaller, poorer, lower-class group.

My family and I have never participated in any form of protest other than an occasional letter in a newspaper and our voice in elections (which I personally have never missed a one in 39 years). Defiance in the form of violence or vandalism is unacceptable in every way. It infringes on my rights, my property, and will anger more individuals then help the cause.

Each year, the polls are becoming less crowded. I see more people at Super Bowl parties then I do at the polling place.

I somewhat understand what the author is trying to say about who protests, why, and the effectiveness of protest but at no time have I ever felt powerless. I vote and I encourage others to also.

Leslie Ann Ong

4/25/2014 04:23:08 pm

The three major themes of Poor People’s Movements are expressed on the basis of common sense and historical experience. First, the article discusses how drawing upon both common sense and historical experience uncovers a theory regarding the roots of power in a society. According to the article, the roots of power in an American institution majorly consist of a group of wealthy individuals ranging from industrial production to financers of large capital as well as those who manage the potential for national productivity. If necessary, the elite group threatens individuals of lower classes through force in order to retain their dominant powers.
Next, the article discusses how elite classes not only use their power for national productivity and growth, but also for control over beliefs of citizens. The issue of an inherited system of beliefs is its ever-changing context, more specifically how America’s system of beliefs has fluctuating definitions due to fluctuating cultural beliefs. However changing, America’s system of beliefs derived from unequal power, primarily seen in the difference of treatment and imbalance between social classes throughout American history. Lastly, the article identifies America as a “modern capitalist society” and further observes the characteristics of such society. Interestingly, the article states how modern capitalist societies suppress religious authority and moreover hides the divine authority as another method of retaining power.

Joann Truong

4/25/2014 04:47:55 pm

In “Poor People’s Movements and the Structuring of Protest”, there were many themes. Those themes include power, control, defiance and force.
-“Power is rooted in the control of coercive force and in the control on the means of production”.
-“Ordinarily defiance is first expressed in the voting booth simply because, whether defiant or not, people have been socialized within a political culture that defines voting as the mechanism through which political change can and should properly occur”.
-“When government is unable to ignore the insurgents, and is willing to risk the uncertain repercussions of the use of force, it will make efforts to conciliate and disarm the protesters”
Power is a huge thing in this article because the upper class thinks that they have so much power over the lower class. Since the upper class has so much power, they feel like they can control the lower class. As a human being, no one wants to be controlled so the lower class would protest and stand up for themselves. The upper class with power and control doesn’t like defiance so they would use force to get what they want with the lower class.
There’s been protest here in my community, for example, the 99% protest that happened a couple years ago. Even though my family and I did not participate in the protest, we are also part of the 99%. There are a lot of protests in my area but I never really participated in any. I feel like defiance, protesting is the only way to stand up to the elite class. It’s the only way to get their attention, even though it wouldn’t do anything really.
I don’t think protesting will change anything, I personally think only time will be able to change things. Time for everyone to clear their minds to be able to accept certain things. Time for everyone to be mature. Things won’t change if people are still acting like a child and won’t accept change.

Tony Zhi D. Li link

4/25/2014 04:55:52 pm

In the text Poor People’s Movements and the Structuring of Protest, authors Frances Fox Piven and Richard A. Cloward mentioned three major themes including the mass protest was created by its social conditions (poor people are the recourses), political order can be changed by protests (protests are not created by organizers and leaders), and the protest of organizers and leaders might fail their protest if they did not fully understand people’s position.

What I learnt from American political institutions is institutional limitations. For instance, for wisdom people, they should take advantage to utilize the potential risks of political influences from the lower class to make protest to be emergent and evolutionary.

As an international student, I think I am not involved in the framework, such as these superstructure of beliefs and rituals.

The political participation looks like: good at avoiding more participants and know how to lie to get predetermined electoral “choices.”

As a foreign student, I felt that I have nothing to with the political power/forces. People should have discussions rather than protests. People also know win-win strategy.

Thanks for reading.

Nico Passalacqua

4/26/2014 02:32:59 pm

I support your idea that people should have discussions rather than protests. Protests have proven to be effective in the past but I agree that discussions are much more productive. The downside is that discussions are usually limited to a specific, powerful group of people who have the most authority in this country. I enjoyed the response, great work.

farkhanda

4/25/2014 05:02:33 pm

The informative article “Poor People’s Movements and the Structuring of Protest” discusses many issues in our political system. Some things that stood out for me were the powers between the elites and the lower class, how the media can be a huge factor in politics, and the way fear can control those who don’t seem to think they have the power by manipulation. What I learned and noticed about our political institution is that it lacks the justice, equity, and representation. We can clearly see the agendas behind situations based on wealth and greed by corporations and the elite who will do everything and anything to stay powerful and get richer. Although we do have voices in our community, I think it will be difficult to change the issues we face. I don’t think it’s impossible though because we have seen protests and have seen thru changes it has made. We shouldn’t give up because this nation wasn’t made for the elite to rule but the people to rule the government.

Imani Sanders

4/26/2014 11:21:57 am

Hey bud, I see your emphasis on being optimistic, and I really enjoy that. In the age of having everything being based on how much money you and based off of that how much respect we will get, being positive and focused is really needed. I agree with your points of the 'institution (s)' lacking representation, I felt that was right on point/ accurate.

Nico Passalacqua

4/26/2014 02:08:03 pm

Three themes:
1. Those who control the means of producing wealth, have power over those who do not.
2. Masses of people become defiant where they violate the traditions and laws to which they ordinarily acquiesce, and they flout the authorities to whom they ordinarily defer.
3. Their defiance is acted out collectively, as members of a group, and not as isolated individuals.

The limitations and opportunities for mass protest are shaped by american political institutions and social conditions. The implications for the role of leadership in protest movements can be briefly summarized. Protest well up in response to momentous changes in the institutional order. It is not created by organizers and leaders. Whatever influence lower-class groups occasionally exert in American politics, does not result from organization, but from mass protest and the disruptive consequences of protest. Institutions shape limits and constraints.

Fortunately, my family and I don’t experience deprivations and oppressions within a concrete setting. I wouldn’t consider my economic community and environment being one that consists of “weak institutional locations to use disruption as a tactic for influence.” I am from the Bay Area and I see political actions in many areas, especially San Francisco. There are many protests and social gatherings that challenge the status quo, for example, gay rights and the legal status of them in California. My family’s political participation is at a minimum level. No direct participation in mass uprising like the article discusses.

Travis Himebaugh

4/26/2014 02:56:11 pm

Succinctly put.
As for the more personal claims; I too come from a background fairly free of deprivation and thus I tend to wonder whether or not I have any place speaking for those who have faced it. I'm hoping this class will allow me to make some connections that will, in turn, enable me to better communities.
On another note, I do my best to stay politically informed but I have some problems getting started on political involvement.
Anyway, once more, well said.

Power and Political Participation (week 4)

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Power and Political Participation (week 4)

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