Reviving power structure research: present problems, their solutions, and future directions

Abstract

Power structure research examines core issues in the discipline of sociology; yet this important area of study is declining because of the conceptual, theoretical, and methodological problems. In this paper, I address each of these problems and proposing solutions. I then test the validity of my proposed solutions by conducting empirical analyses examining how big business and labor political action committee (PAC) contributors influence U.S. House decision making. My findings vividly show significant big business influence on House decision making, but negligible labor influence. These findings carry considerable implications for power structure theorizing and research, and provide a solid foundation for future power structure work.

Citation

Peoples, C.D. (2009), "Reviving power structure research: present problems, their solutions, and future directions", Davis, D.E. and Go, J. (Ed.) Political Power and Social Theory (Political Power and Social Theory, Vol. 20), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 3-38. https://doi.org/10.1108/S0198-8719(2009)0000020007