Contemp Society

1. from the act of working

2. from the products of work

3. from other workers

4. from their own potential

Ways of how Capitalism alienates Workers [4] - APOW

slaves

In ancient societies, masters dominated (?)

Nobles

In agrarian societies, (?) dominate serfs

capitalists

In industrialist-capitalist societies, (?) dominate proletarians

socialism

a system of production that would provide for the social needs of all.

capitalists

ruling class

Industrialization

• moves work from home to factory, and reduces the traditional importance of the family

Industrialization

• reduces the traditional importance of the family

• raises living standards

Postindustrialization

• shifts production from heavy machinery making material things to computers processing information

Postindustrialization

• requires a population with information-based skills

• is the driving force behind the Information Revolution, a worldwide flow of information that now links societies with an emerging global culture

society

people who interact in a defined territory and share a culture

sociocultural evolution

Lenski's term for the changes that occur as a society gains new technology

hunting and gathering

making use of simple tools to hunt animals and gather vegetation for food horticulture the use of hand tools to raise crops pastoralism the domestication of animals

agriculture

large-scale cultivation using plows harnessed to animals or more powerful energy sources

industrialism

the production of goods using advanced sources of energy to drive large machinery

postindustrialism

the production of information using computer technology

social conflict

the struggle between segments of society over valued resources

proletarians

people who sell their labor for wages social institutions the major spheres of social life, or societal subsystems, organized to meet human needs

false consciousness

Marx's term for explanations of social problems as the shortcomings of individuals rather than as the flaws of society

class conflict

conflict between entire classes over the distribution of a society's wealth and power

class consciousness

Marx's term for workers' recognition of themselves as a class unified in opposition to capitalists and ultimately to capitalism itself

alienation

the experience of isolation and misery resulting from powerlessness

ideal type

an abstract statement of the essential characteristics of any social phenomenon

tradition

values and beliefs passed from generation to generation

rationality

a way of thinking that emphasizes deliberate, matter-of-fact calculation of the most efficient way to accomplish a particular task

rationalization of society

Weber's term for the historical change from tradition to rationality as the main type of human thought

anomie

Durkheim's term for a condition in which society provides little moral guidance to individuals

mechanical solidarity

Durkheim's term for social bonds, based on common sentiments and shared moral values, that are strong among members of preindustrial societies

organic solidarity

Durkheim's term for social bonds, based on specialization and interdependence, that are strong among members of industrial societies

division of labor

specialzed economic activity

mechanical solidarity

In preindustrial societies, it guides the social life of individuals.

Organic solidarity

Industrialization and the division of labor weaken traditional bonds, so that social life in modern societies is characterized by ___________

anomie

Durkheim warned of increased ____ in modern societies, as society provides little moral guidance to individuals.

proletarians

working class

Gerhard Lenski

He points to the importance of technology in shaping any society.

materialist approach

Karl Marx's _________ claims that societies are defined by their economic systems:

Marx/Karl Marx

He focused on the role of capitalism in creating inequality and class conflict in modern societies.

Max Weber

His idealist approach emphasizes the power of ideas to shape society.

Emile Durkheim

He claimed that society has an existence apart from its individual members.

Social elements

__________ (such as crime) have functions that help society operate.

1. Distinctive Social Institution

2. Large-scale organization

3. Specialized tasks

4. Personal Discipline

5. Awareness of time

6. Technical competence

7. Impersonality

Max Weber identified 7 characteristics of rational social organization [DL SPATI]

Distinctive social institutions, Large-scale organizations, Specialized tasks, Personal discipline, Awareness of time, Technical competence, and Impersonality.

Max Weber identified (7) characteristics of rational social organizations [DL SPATI]

Communism

A system in which people commonly own and equally share food and other things they produce.

Bourgeoisie

a French word meaning “people of the town”

Hunting and Gathering Societies

• have only a few dozen members, are built around the family, and are nomadic

• consider men and women roughly equal in social importance; men use simple tools to hunt animals and women gather vegetation

Horticultural and Pastoral Societies

• raise animals for food and use hand tools to raise crops

• show greater specialization of work

• show increasing levels of social inequality