SOC102 Theorists & Theories

Capitalist production creates people who see selves as fragmented, only parts of capitalist production processes

• Explanation: Capitalist production processes (rationalization, specialization, fragmentation)

• Outcome: Reified mind/reification

Lukacs

Because of their position in the production process + the ability to see it in action, the proletariat (laborers) can overcome reified mind + achieve new consciousness through collective action

• Explanation: The proletariat has unique position in production process + collective action

• Outcome: Class consciousness

Lukacs

Hegemony (spontaneous consent) largely holds capitalism in place

• Explanation: Hegemony

• Outcome: Persistence of capitalism

Gramsci

Persistent social discrimination, slavery, and devaluation create double consciousness

• Explanation: Social condition (discrimination, slavery, devaluation)

• Outcome: Double consciousness

Du Bois

Torture changes into discipline

• Explanation: Discipline is a historical development that arises out of economic, legal, and scientific developments

• Outcome: Discipline becomes the major form of punishment and social control more generally in contemporary society

Foucault

Capitalist production depends on noncapitalist strata as a market for commodities as a market for the means of production and for labor

• Explanation: Capitalist production

• Outcome: Noncapitalist strata as markets for commodities, means of production, + labor

Luxemburg

African and Asian societies were developing independently until they were taken over directly/indirectly by capitalist powers. Then, exploitation increased and the export of surplus ensued, depriving these societies of the benefit of their natural resources and labor. Thus, they were underdeveloped

• Explanation: Capitalism exploitation

• Outcome: Underdevelopment 

Rodney

This observed inferiority complex arises from racism 

• Explanation: racism

• Outcome: inferiority complex

Fanon

Colonization changes the whole structure and psychology of the society 

• Explanation: colonization

• Outcome: changes in social structure + psychology

Fanon

Through domination and power, colonialism created a cultural identity of “Otherness” for Black people 

• Explanation: Colonialism

• Outcome: “Othered” cultural identity

Hall

Art loses its aura in mechanical reproduction 

• Explanation: mechanical reproduction 

• Outcome: loss of aura 

Benjamin

Mechanically reproduced art can be used for politics 

• Explanation: mechanical reproduction 

• Outcome: political value of art increases

Benjamin

technological rationality destroys self determination 

• Explanation: technological rationality 

• Outcome: the destruction of self determination 

Marcuse

Only art retains the power of liberation 

• Explanation: art 

• Outcome: liberation 

Marcuse

Subcultures use style to challenge hegemony 

• Explanation: subcultures use of style 

• Outcome: hegemony is challenged 

Hebdige

Class and personal identity forms at cultural and symbolic level as well as the economic + structural level 

• Explanation: influences of culture, symbols, economy, + structure 

• Outcome: class + personal identity 

Willis

class conditions shape habitus, which shapes perceptions, which in turn leads to particular lifestyles 

• Explanation: class conditions shape habitus, which shapes perceptions 

• Outcome: particular lifestyles 

Bourdieu

Accumulation by dispossession releases assets, including labor, at a very low cost 

• Explanation: Accumulation by dispossession

• Outcome: release of low-cost assets

Harvey

Businesses with overaccumulated capital use assets seized through dispossession to make profit 

• Explanation: overaccumulated capital’s seizure of assets

• Outcome: profit

Harvey

Racism and nationalism influence the historical development of world capitalism 

• Explanation: Racism and nationalism 

• Outcome: World capitalism 

Robinson

Capitalism developed bc women were subjugated to the reproduction of the work force 

• Explanation: women’s subjugation 

• Outcome: development of capitalism

Federici

Women’s power was destroyed through witch hunts 

• Explanation: witch hunts

• Outcome: destruction of women’s power

Federici

Industrialization creates a structural separation between the devalued domestic home economy + profit oriented economy of capitalism 

• Explanation: industrialization

• Outcome: structural separation

Davis

The housewife is rooted in social conditions of the middle class, but this ideology of the housewife as caring for others establishes this class position as a universal model of all womanhood 

• Explanation: social conditions of middle class

• Outcome: Ideology that women are housewives

Davis

Identity is a site of resistance for members of subordinated groups 

• Explanation: identity

• Outcome: resistance

Crenshaw

Identity politics takes places at the site where categories intersect

• Explanation: intersectional categories

• Outcome: identity politics 

Crenshaw