SOC 400 final exam

Compare how Marx and Weber saw society progressing over time (i.e., going in a specific direction or being more varied and contingent)

Marx believed that society progressed in a linear line driven by economic forces- a concept known as historical materialism. Progression was inevitable, and workers eventually protested and ended capitalism.

Weber saw social change as more complex and contingent not linear. He believed there were multiple paths, and outcomes were not guaranteed.

What did Marx say was the relationship between the economic system and culture/beliefs? Is culture/beliefs part of the base or the superstructure?

He states the economic system is the foundation of society and shapes the superstructure influencing cultures and beliefs. Culture and beliefs are part of the superstructure

What did Weber say was the relationship between the economic structure and culture/beliefs (in terms of what causes what)?

He believed that culture and beliefs can shape the economic structure.

How is this illustrated in his writings on the Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism? (More on this below)

Protestant religious beliefs such as Calvinism contributed to the rise of modern capitalism.

What are the four components of the "spirit of capitalism?"

1.) Hard work

2.)saving and reinvestment

3.)efficiency

4.) sense of calling

What was Marx trying to accomplish in his work?

Marx wanted to expose the injustices of capitalism and inspire the working class to rise and overthrow the capitalist system and build a classless, communist society.

Weber recommended a value-free approach to research. What does this mean?

Researchers should not let their own opinions influence how they collect data.

Describe Weber's thoughts on seeking an in-depth understanding of what one is studying (verstehen). What does one have to rid themselves of to do this? What is the goal?

The goal of Verstehen is to achieve a deep, empathetic understanding of social action by interpreting the meanings and motivations behind it. To effectively use this one person must get rid of personal biases and prejudices so they can be neutral.

What are ideal types and why are they useful? Be familiar with the ideal types of action and the ideal types of relationships Weber identified.

Ideal Types are conceptual tools used by Max Weber to analyze social phenomena. They are pure models or theoretical constructs that represent the most typical, exaggerated, or extreme version of a concept in its ideal form.

What source of power did Marx identify?

Economic Power

What three sources of power did Weber identify?

1.) Traditional Authority

2.) Charismatic Authority

3.) Legal-Rational Authority

Compare Marx's conception of Class versus Weber's conception of class, noting that weber's class schema had more differentiation among classes.

Marx = simple, conflict-driven, binary system (owners vs. workers).

Weber = more nuanced, multidimensional view of class that includes skills, education, prestige, and power.

What 2 classes did Marx identify and what determined class position?

Bourgeoisie (capitalist class) they control the production and accumulate wealth by exploiting labor.

Proletariat (working class)- The workers who do not own the means of production.

Ones relationship with the means of production determined class position.

What are the two different propertied classes Weber identified and what is the difference between them?

1.) Property owning class- this class includes individuals or groups who own income-generating assets such as land, factories and business.

2.) Property-less class- Individuals who do not own income generating property.

What are the different nonpropertied classes Weber identified and what were the differences between them?

skilled workers

unskilled workers

educated professionals

The petty Bourgeoisie.

What is the role of educational credentials according to Weber?

He saw them as a modern, institutionalized way to access jobs, status, and social mobility, which was tied closely to the structure of rational, bureaucratic society.

What are life chances and how do they relate to class?

Life changes are a concept of describing the opportunities an individual have to improve their quality of life.

Class position heavily influences life chances

What did Marx say was the source of human loss of agency/suffering/alienation?

Capitalism

what are the 4 variables in the collective conscience

1.) Division of Labor

2.) Mechanical Solidarity

3.) Organic Solidarity

4.) Repressive vs. Restitutive Law

What are the 2 types of solidarity?

Organic and mechanic solidarity

What should legal sanctions look like in societies with mechanical solidarity? Why?

The legal sanctions should be repressive, meaning they focus on punishment and reaffirming collective values. This is because such societies rely on a shared moral order to maintain cohesion, any violation is seen as a threat to that unity.

What should legal sanctions look like in societies with organic solidarity? Why?

The legal sanctions should be restitutive, aiming to restore social order and repair the harm caused by deviant behavior rather than repressive sanctions that punish to reaffirm shared values.

What do we mean when we say Durkheim wanted to be a physician to society?

Durkheim wanted to be a "physician to society" captures his belief that sociology wasn't just about observing society—it was about understanding and healing it.

How does rapid social change affect regulation and attachment?

Rapid Social Change can weaken regulation (society's ability to control behavior) and attachment (individuals' connection to society) which can lead to anomie, alienation, and social instability.

What is forced division of labor and how does it affect solidarity and societal functioning according to Durkheim?

People are assigned roles or jobs not based on their talents or interests but due to external pressures like social class, discrimination, or power imbalances. When labor is forced, people feel alienated, and trust is lost, which ruins solidarity.

Know Durkheim's perspective on denial of opportunity and use of privilege to exploit others. Know his position on inheritance of wealth.

Denial of opportunity can lead to social tension and alienation, which could result in deviance or social unrest. Privilege—when used to exploit others—can create divisions and weaken social cohesion. While Durkheim didn't focus directly on inheritance, he would likely have seen it as a factor that reinforces inequality and could potentially undermine social solidarity if it perpetuates rigid class systems.

What holds society together with organic solidarity?

Organic Solidarity held together by everyone needing each other and is more complex

What holds society together with mechanical solidarity?

Everyone's roles are similar, so social unity is maintained through likeness rather than interdependence.

What are the three key characteristics of social facts?

1.) External (existing outside individuals)

2.) Constraining (Limiting individuals' actions)

3.) Generality (applying to society as a whole)

What is the collective conscience?

Collective conscience is the shared moral framework that keeps society cohesive.

How does it relate to social facts?

It's a type of social fact that guides and constrains individual behavior.

What happens to people when people deviate from the collective conscience?

Deviating from it leads to social sanctions, and potentially to anomie if the moral order breaks down.

What country does Reich say we should emulate to produce economic growth today?

Germany

Was inequality high or low in 1929, 2008?

High

Compare how Durkheim and Marx felt about conflict and revolution.

Durkheim viewed conflict as potentially damaging and advocated for social order through solidarity and regulation. While Marx saw conflict as central to historical progress.

What did families turn to to increase money when they were facing a rising cost of living but had stagnant wages?

Families turned to credit and debit to get rid of instant problems but give themselves financial strain in the long run.

Families also did dual income which meant more family members especially women went to work.

After 1929 and 2008, did regulations restricting risky financial investments go up or down?

They went up significantly because they wanted to stabilize the economy.

What happened to unionization especially beginning in the 1980s?

In the 1980's unionization went down because of shifts in the economy and globalization. The economic policies put in place weakened the positions of labored unions.

What happened to regulations restricting risky financial investments in the 1980s? Did they go up or down?

financial institutions were given more freedom to engage in speculative and high-risk investments, which contributed to increased instability in financial markets. They went down

Was inequality high or low in 1945-1970?

Low

Why do companies like arbitration?

Because it's cheap, more private and often favors them.

What is the bridge shape Robert Reich describes?

Reich's "bridge" symbolizes a time when the middle class was strong, and economic opportunity was more evenly distributed — connecting people across income levels, like a solid bridge. That bridge has weakened as inequality has grown.

Why does money play such an important role in political power in our system?

Money plays a crucial role in political power in our system because it enables individuals, groups, and organizations to influence political outcomes