Assignment task:
This section describes three important sources of your knowledge: (1) authority; (2) personal thought; and (3) science. Authority Using authority as a source of political knowledge involves the appeal to any document, tradition, or person believed to possess the controlling explanation regarding a particular issue. Knowledge about politics can be based on three kinds of authority sources: (1) a specific authority; (2) a general authority; or (3) "everyone." Specific Authority Sources A particular individual (but few others) might place great confidence in the knowledge he derives about politics from a specific authority source, such as a parent, teacher, friend, or famous person. Young people and those minimally interested in politics are especially likely to rely on specific authorities for much of their political knowledge. Chapter 4 will argue that specific authority sources powerfully influence some important political beliefs of most individuals. Can you think of a significant piece of your own political knowledge that you derived primarily from a parent, an influential teacher, or a public figure you admire? General Authority Sources A general authority source is one that has substantial influence on a large proportion of people in a society. Examples include constitutions, revered leaders, widely respected media or books, and religious teachings. General authorities are especially evident as a basis for normative political knowledge.