A number of propositions about power in America--taken from the work of Olson, Lowi, McConnell, Schattschneider, and Edelman--are presented and discussed. These propositions comprise an alternative theory to pluralism, which is termed "plural elitism." But neither pluralism nor plural elitism explains the emergence and effects of the…

The booklet discusses various aspects of involvement by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in helping member nations integrate education with community and regional needs. Objectives are to help OECD member nations intensify and improve school community relationships, coordinate educational policy with other regional…

The following statements summarize the author's analysis of changing attitudes to work and life styles in Western society: (1) a permissive society has fostered a change in authority roles; (2) general mistrust toward big busines is no longer limited to the public at large; (3) employees, supervisors, and managers all dislike and fear change; (4)…

A RURAL DAIRY COMMUNITY IN UPSTATE NEW YORK IS THE SUBJECT OF THIS STUDY WRITTEN AFTER 3 YEARS OF PARTICIPATION BY THE AUTHORS IN THE DAILY LIFE OF THE COMMUNITY. THE ANALYSIS INCLUDES DESCRIPTIONS OF (1) THE VARIOUS SOCIAL CLASS GROUPS AND THEIR ECONOMIC PHILOSOPHIES AND SOCIAL ATTITUDES, (2) THE POLITICAL POWERS, BOTH VISIBLE AND INVISIBLE, AND…

Designed for use with the teacher's guide to the intermediate social science unit, the supplement and ditto packet provides visual aids and worksheets for class activities and seatwork for individual students. Visual materials are provided to help stimulate oral language and conceptual development. The worksheets are to be presented under…

Power, or influence, in educational governance is increasingly becoming diffused. Everyone in education now feels relatively powerless. A political model of decision-making, emphasizing consultation with representatives of interest groups is now appropriate. In this model, the school board functions as "meta-mediator." This modifies the…

The intent of this paper is to come to terms with some of the philosophical issues raised by community involvement in the education power structure. The literature reviewed identifies some of the underlying assumptions and explores some implications of increased citizen involvement for both educators and the society they serve. Two modes of…

This document contains a literature review of publications discussing the concept of Black Power. Attention is paid to defining black power from various perspectives. The movement is also discussed as to the extent and demography of its support. A second section of the paper deals with white reactions to the black power movement. This is…

The systems analysis of political life might be used as a basis for teaching about the political process in all grades, including elementary school. A political system is part of an intra-societal environment including ecological, biological, personality, economic, cultural, and other systems, all operating in society and bound by an…

The American Revolution transformed the American colonies into republics, which meant that ordinary people were no longer to be considered "subjects" to be ruled as they were under a monarchy. They were thereafter to be citizens--participants themselves in the ruling process. Because the process of creating of a republican citizenry…

This practicum presents a review of the literature pertaining to student participation in college governance and describes a study conducted to determine student perceptions of governance at College of the Mainland (Texas). A questionnaire was administered to a sample of students who do not participate in student government and to a sample of…

This sixth grade unit is one of a sequential learning series of the Focus On Inner City Social Studies (FICSS) project developed in accordance with the needs and problems of an urban society. A description of the project is provided in SO 008 271. The units are designed to help students investigate the conditions under which people in other…

The unit confronts the student with the historical evolution of the role of the government employee in the American democracy, and suggests that a society's concept of this role reflects its presumptions about itself, as well as the changing circumstances with which it has to cope. The unit contrasts the "natural aristocracy" and "democratic…

This study described and analyzed a rural community during change to determine possible "blocks" and/or "catalysts" in implementing 29 recommendations by the University of Wisconsin Department of Landscape Architecture. Elements and processes which were most highly related to attitudes toward these changes were represented by leaders' community…

Drastic change is taking place in America today. If drastic change does indeed foster revolution then our challenge is to help bring about peaceful revolution by making those changes that give power to the powerless. Both the majority and the minority groups are presented with the challenge of developing strategies and techniques for implementing…