The Strength of Weak Ties and Beyond

These flashcards cover key concepts from the lecture notes including theories on social ties, modernity, knowledge, power, and societal changes.

What is the strength of weak ties according to Mark Granovetter?

The theory that casual acquaintances can provide access to new information and opportunities that strong ties cannot.

Define weak ties.

Casual acquaintances, distant contacts like a friend of a friend or old colleague, which contrast with strong ties (close friends and family).

How do weak ties contribute to information flow in social networks?

Weak ties act as bridges between different social groups, allowing information, ideas, and job opportunities to travel across disconnected groups.

What analogy is used to describe the relationship between strong ties and weak ties?

Strong ties are compared to glue holding a single patch of fabric together, while weak ties are the threads connecting that patch to other patches, forming a larger quilt.

What did Gabriel Tarde propose regarding social influence?

Society could be understood by examining how individuals influence each other through processes like imitation.

What is Actor-Network Theory (ANT) as proposed by Bruno Latour?

A perspective emphasizing that social reality consists of complex networks involving both human and non-human actors such as technologies and ideas.

How does Ulrich Beck describe the modern society?

As a 'reflexive modernity' characterized by risks and uncertainties that arise from modernity itself.

What is meant by 'risk society'?

A society where risks and uncertainties are produced by the very advancements of modernity, exemplified by events like the Chernobyl disaster.

Describe how Durkheim's concept of moral density relates to Granovetter's weak ties.

High moral density creates a strong sense of community, but to access new information and ideas, weak ties are necessary to connect different groups.

What role do weak ties play in job seeking?

Weak ties often lead to job opportunities because they connect people to novel information that strong ties might not share.

What is reflexivity in late modernity?

The ability of individuals and societies to reflect on their actions and to adapt based on that reflection in a continuously changing context.

What is Thomas's theorem?

The principle that 'if men define situations as real, they are real in their consequences,' highlighting the impact of perception on social actions.

What did Anthony Giddens mean by 'modernity as a juggernaut'?

Modernity is a powerful and unstoppable force that continuously transforms society, comprising elements like capitalism and surveillance.

What are the two key dynamics of modernity according to Giddens?

Time-space distanciation (separation of time and space) and disembedding (detachment of social relations from local contexts).

What does Bauman's concept of 'liquid modernity' refer to?

The idea that modern life is characterized by constant change and uncertainty, leading to fluid social structures.

In Foucault's theory, how is knowledge related to power?

Knowledge and power are intertwined, shaping our understanding and experiences, where knowledge is constructed through social interactions.

What is the main criticism of Bauman's view on the Holocaust?

Critics argue that Bauman's focus on bureaucratic rationality might overlook the moral culpability of perpetrators and the chaotic realities of the Holocaust.

How does Touraine describe societies in terms of self-transformation?

Societies can change themselves when the collective actors ('the voice') become self-aware and act to shape their own future.

What does Michael Mann mean by the 'four sources of social power'?

Ideological, economic, military, and political power exist in overlapping networks, influencing social change through shifting power configurations.