Soc Final Exam (New Stuff)

What is the importance of surplus value in understanding capitalism according to Marx? Indicate three (3) ways a capitalist might attempt to increase profit and market share? How do each of these actions negatively affect the workers?

Marx’s labor theory explains how exchange works in capitalism and it shows how workers are being exploited.

In the capitalism system, the system profits in 3 ways. 1, absolute surplus which risks strikes; 2, relative surplus which risks faster production and machines take over; 3, globalization of capitalism which risks lowering wages and working conditions

How does Marx general formula for capital show the impossible plight of the proletariat in a capitalist system?

Marx’s formula requires the process to be repeated every day and leaves no room for consideration of a state of being.

They sell their work (C) to get paid (M).

They spend that pay (C) just to survive.

And then they have to start over again.

What are ideal types? According to Montesquieu, why are ideal types important in studying the “actual stuff of life”? Does Weber’s use of ideal types differ from Montesquieu’s? If so, how? If not, why not?

According to Montesquieu, Ideal types are static forms used in the study of social structure and processes with the system. They are important in studying the “actual stuff of life,”

An example of this is a family like mom, dad, and 2 kids, and anything that does not fit that description it is not an ideal type like 2 moms and 1 kid.

Weber borrowed the idea from Montesquieu. Weber’s ideal types are analytical tools (more specific) and Montesquieu are empirical observations.

What is verstehen and how is it important to understanding modern society?

Verstehen (interpretive understanding) is the principle objective of the discipline and Weber believed that it was the goal of sociology.

Outline the similarities and differences between Marx and Weber on capitalism, division of labor, rationality, and progress of society

Marx-

• Thinks the division of labor is out of control

• Capitalism is the problem that needs to be fixed.

• Rationality- the idea of belief was a false consciousness, so he is rational in his approach.

• Progress of society- on the way to a revolution and was inevitable (only way capitalism was going to end)

Weber-

• Thinks division of labor is like bureaucracy, people will have to do one thing (become specialized in one thing) won’t work

  • Bureaucracy is like dividing up jobs so everyone knows their role, which helps big systems work, but can also make things feel slow and rule-heavy.

• Capitalism- saw value in it for creativity, individuality, and saw it as a way for people to make money. Calvinists wrote a roadmap for success.

• Believes that the world is becoming more rational

• Progress of society (law of progress) will lead us to an iron cage. Society is fine and capitalism is okay but will lead to an iron cage.

Explain the four ideal types of social action. Weber was concerned that three of them were dissipating in modern society. Which three were reduced in importance, why are they reduced in importance, and why is this change important to note?

1. Purposeful or goal-oriented rational action (only one left that we still use)

   • builds a bridge to cross a river, rather than traveling all the way around the river to get across.

2. value-oriented rational action

   • popularity

3. emotional or affective motivated action

   • Punch someone out of emotion

4. traditional action

5. meals at Thanksgiving

Rational thinking is getting rid of old ways of doing things and replacing them with strict rules. Because of this, people are losing the sense of what’s right to do, and are only focused on what they are allowed to do. This is why 1 (goal oriented rational action) is the only one remaining

What are life chances and how is this concept related to Weber’s ideas on social class? Are life chances “of” class, status, or party? Why?

Life chances are opportunities that are determined by economic interests in the possession of goods and opportunity for income. This is related to Weber’s ideas on social class by reflecting the amount and types of changes one can pursue on the market. Life chances are represented by all 3 because it does not discriminate.

Discuss Weber’s concept of “party” and explain its relationship to status and class. Why is party important in Weber’s argument with Marx on the nature of power?

Parties will be created in the strategic pursuit of goals and will assure that the group is capable of achieving the goals and implementing the objective. It is important because the party will not necessarily be connected to any class or status group interests. It will instead hope to transcend these boundaries and unify different classes and statuses of people under their single belief.

Explain how college can be seen both as “status lost” and a “leveler of status” in modern society. How does this explanation involve Weber’s concepts of rationality, class, and status?

Status lost is going from being popular in high school and coming to college and it being seen as a reset button (leveler of status) and change the way you approach situations, and there are a lot more people you will meet who can impact you as a person.

status lost - ivy league acceptance rate changing and allowing everyone in (everybody goes to college now so it is like the new high school)

leveler of status - first gen college student

It involves Weber’s concepts of rationality, class, and status by goal oriented rationality, class becomes neutralized (raised poor and now your in college and it does not matter, only your knowledge), status is the resetting of that lifestyle (used to be an athlete but not anymore, you reinvent yourself as something different).

According to Weber what makes legitimate domination “legitimate”? Would Durkheim agree with Weber on this point? Would Marx? Explain your answer for each.

According to Weber, legitimate domination becomes legitimate when the population agrees with the authority. Durkheim only agrees if there is an alignment with the collective moral order. Marx would not agree because people will not be able to tell when they are being exploited or oppressed. Legitimacy masks class domination.

Name and explain Weber’s three (3) types of authority? Identify the role of the audience (or followers) for each type. How would Marx respond to the claim of the importance of authority?

1. legal rational authority

   • based on rational grounds and anchored in impersonal rules that have been legally enacted or contractually established.

   • college employees

2. traditional authority

   • is based on the belief in the sanctity of tradition and of “the eternal yesterday”.

   • monarchy

3. charismatic authority

   • authority rests on the appeal of leaders who claim allegiance because of their extraordinary virtuosity, whether ethical, heroic, or religious

   • Hitler (dictator)

Marx would say that people can get power through bloodlines, qualifications and strength of personality. None of which have anything to do with economics.

How is the relationship between Protestant and capitalism in Weber’s Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism an example of the rationalization of society? What would Marx have said about Weber’s claims of wealth being the result of “Divine" Providence”?

Weber believed that certain Protestant beliefs, like working hard and saving money, helped create modern capitalism by encouraging people to be organized, efficient, and focused on success. He saw this as part of a bigger shift where society became more about planning and rules. Marx, on the other hand, he believed rich people get their wealth by taking advantage of workers, and religion is used to make that seem okay.

Explain how “labor as a calling”, asceticism, and predestination combine to create a “spirit of capitalism” in Calvinists.

For the Calvinist sect, “the calling” was interpreted as God’s commandment to work for his divine glory. The focus on asceticism (self-denial in the name of a greater good) causes wealth to be seen as a danger filled with never-ending temptation (purposely denying fun and happiness in this life because you are hoping you’ll be rewarded in the next).

Explain the influences that pragmatism and behaviorism had on Mead’s theory. How does each of these influences affect his ideas on the relationship between order and action?

Because Mead is a pragmatist he believes that if something works, keep doing it and keep trying to answer questions, he is not interested in “truths” (universal laws).

Mead argues against the behaviorist assumption that human beings are nothing more than the sum total of their behavioral experience and training. Since he is an anti-behaviorist he believes that the behaviors were wrong because they forgot what made us human, and that we could almost be trained like animals and he basically said “thanks for the work, but it does not work on humans” he is more action.

What is the relationship between reflexivity and self-concept for Mead? How could this relationship be used to explain Durkheim’s collective consciousness and Marx’ class consciousness?

The more we end up in situations with people the more we interact with them, we get more comfortable, reflexivity comes in and we know what they are thinking because we know them well.

Self-concept is the awareness an individual develops about their place and role in a larger social process. It emerges when a person not only reacts to the world but also reflects on their own behavior and its meaning in relation to others. This

Due to the collective consciousness (the shared beliefs and feelings that people in society have in common) you do not need reflexivity because there is no diversity, however the self concept is the same for everyone.

Due to the class consciousness (Workers becoming aware that they share the same situation because they all work for the owners, not with them) individuals now recognize their position in the work place/company because of self-concept. Reflexivity is apparent because they all share the same situation.

When is a gesture significant for Mead? How do significant gestures relate to shared meanings? Why are both of these important to the development of society?

If the gesture does result in the desired response among both parties it is considered a significant gesture (Thumbs Up).

This shared meaning is the glue that helps people cooperate and build a society where things run more smoothly.

What are the two aspects of the self? Why are each vital to the understanding of individuals and society?

The two aspects of self consists of self-consciousness and the ability to perceive oneself as both I and me.

“I” is the impulse (spontaneous) and “Me” keeps society stable

Outline the four (4) components of the act. Explain how Mead’s act is different than psychological behaviorism. Explain how a human would use to act to attempt to stop being thirsty.

1. impulse

   • immediate reaction

   • ex. realizing you are thirsty

2. perception

   • investigating

   • ex. looking around attempting to find something to drink

3. manipulation

   • playing every scenario

   • ex. figure out where to go to get a drink

4. consummation

   • taking action

   • ex. drinking/leaving/purchasing

Ex. Reagle Beagle

These do not happen in order, they occur simultaneously

Mead’s act is different than psychological behaviorism by

• Mead argues against the behaviorist assumption that human beings are nothing more than the sum total of their behavioral experience and training

How does a gesture differ from an act according to Mead? What makes a gesture significant? Why is Mead’s focus aimed more toward vocal gestures than physical? what is the connection between significant gesture and thought?

A gesture involves others, while an act is individual. A gesture is significant when both people share the same meaning and expected response. Mead focuses on vocal gestures because they naturally develop into language, making shared meaning clearer. The connection is that thought is like an internal conversation, using gestures in the mind—just like talking to others, but silently.

Why do Mead’s ideas require “democracy” and “a functioning central nervous system” in order to be effective? Does either of these assumptions limit Mead’s theories? If so, why? If not, why not?