Soc 169 Midterm - V1

SCIENTIFIC definition of Social Theory

a set of interrelated propositions that allow for the systematization of knowledge, explanation and prediction of social life, and generation of new research hypotheses

NON-SCIENTIFIC definition of Social Theory

1. stories about how and why events occur (Turner)

2. a wide ranging system of ideas that deals with centrally important issues of social life (Ritzer)

Functionalist Theory

-Analyzes how social patterns are functional or dysfunctional for society as a whole

-Suggests that dysfunctional social patterns tend to disappear while functional ones remain

-Tends to emphasize consensus as the basis for social order

Conflict Theory

-Emphasizes how social patterns are shaped by UNEQUAL relations of power and resources & the conflicts that emerge from this inequality

-Suggests that existing social patterns & institutions BENEFIT certain groups more than others

Materialist Theory (Karl Marx)

2 Factors Shaping Society: Class Relations and Class Conflict

-Class Relation: Classes are bases on property relations

-Class Conflict: Conflict under capitalism involves:

Idealist Theory (Weber)

Theory that puts cultural ideas as a center; SOCIETIES CHANGE BECAUSE IDEAS CHANGE (Bourgeoisie & Proletariat)

Talcott Parson's (Father of Structural Functionalism)

-Social Structures are analyzed in terms of their function (or purpose that they serve) for the social group or society as a whole; functional ones will tend to persist while dysfunctional ones decline.

Parson's believed that societies are systems...

-Large and complex with interdependent parts

-They tend toward equilibrium

-Stable elements are functional for society

Utilitarianism (Parson)

Actors are goal-seeking

Positivism/Radical Behaviorism (Parson)

Physical factors (biological & ecological) influence social interaction/organization

Idealism (Parson)

Culture (norms, values, language, etc.) shape social interaction/organization

AGIL Scheme (Parson)

1. Latent (Cultural System)

2. Integration (Social System)

3. Goal Attainment (Personality System)

4. Adaptation (Behavioral System)

Cultural System (Latent)

-Cultural Ideas (Pattern Maintenance)

FUNCTION: provides cultural patterns that CREATE and SUSTAIN the motivation of individuals necessary for the action system to survive (Media of Exchange: Commitments)

Social System (Integration)

-Interactions of individuals

FUNCTION:regulates the INTER-relationships between the while and the parts (between cultural ideas and the people shaped by them) (Media of Exchange: Influence)

Personality System (Goal Attainment)

-The organized system of ORIENTATION and MOTIVATION of action of individual actors

FUNCTION: enables a system to define and achieve its goals (Media of Exchange: Power)

Behavioral System (Adaption)

-Our bodies, its GENETIC makeup and our conditioned responses to environmental stimuli (ex. hunger and sex)

FUNCTION: adapt to external environment (Media of Exchange: Money)

2 Ways to Achieve Conformity

(Personality System)

1.Socialization: Internalization of status-roles/norms, values (Primary Method)

2. Social Control:Punishments and used sparingly.

Structural Constraints on Individuals & Social Interaction

1. In a Social System (Status & Roles)

2. In a Cultural System (Norms & Values)

3. In a Personality System (Socialization & Social Control)

Social Evolution

1. Functional Differentiation

2. Integration

3. Adaptive Upgrading

Functional Differentiation (Social Evolution)

Society tends to evolve in ways that IMPROVE its ability to perform its necessary functions

Integration (Social Evolution)

Institutions and roles differentiate according to the particular FUNCTIONS they perform.

Adaptive Upgrading (Social Evolution)

Different institutions and roles become coordinated through NEW VALUES and LAWS

5 Pattern Variables (Parson)

1. Affective/affective neutrality

2. Diffuseness/specificity

3. Universalism/particularism

4. Achievement/ascription

5. Self/collectivity

Mills rejects pluralist theory because...

politics of COMPETING interest groups; suggest that there is a relative balance of power among all groups

Power Elite (Mills)

Higher Circle

Corporate elite, Political elite & Military elite

Reasons for Military Ascendancy

- "permanent war economy"

- Influence on foreign policy

- Militarization of science

- Influence on universities

Mechanical Solidarity

low division of labor and punitive law; similar values/beliefs

Organic Solidarity

High division of labor and contractual and restitutive law

What holds society together?

-Function of specialization: reduces competition

-Function of law: social control

Reasons for the social cohesion and interchangeability of elites (Mills)

They all are associated with one another and interconnected

Middle Levels & The Masses of power (Mills)

MIDDLE: Congress/Officers/Celebrities

MASSES: large isolated groups/accept status quo

Convergence Theory (Wallerstein)

-Suggest that all countries engage in cultural and social changes that facilitate MODERNIZATION

-Will spread from developed nations to under developed nations

3 Types of World Systems (Wallerstein)

1. World Empire (held by military)

2. Modern World System (Capitalist)

3. Socialist World Gov. (Overthrown Capitalist/Gov. would control production; not capitalist)

Core, Semi-Periphery & Periphery (Wallerstein)

CORE: Exploit other countries, free labor & industrialized

SEMI:Exploit Periph but are exploited & share cropping

PERIPH: raw materials, caring out finance services, forced labor

2 Dependency Relations (Wallerstein)

1.Colonialism: Formal economic and political dominance of one country over another

2. Neo-colonialism: economic and political dominance is INFORMAL

3 Mechanisms that lead to under-development (Wallerstein)

1.Export dependency

2. Debt Trap

3. Multinational Corps.

3 effects of globalization (Hall)

1.Erosion

2. Strengthen

3. Creation of Hybrid Identities

National Culture (Hall)

-Imagined Community

-Timelessness and Continuity

-New traditions

-Myths

What filters shape the news? (Herman & Chomsky)

1. corporate control & corporate interests

2. reliance on advertisers

3. reliance on government, business, and "experts"

4. "flak"

5. "anti-communism" as a national religion

2 Critiques of positivisic science (Horkheimer)

1. Based on instrumental rationality

2. Its ideological

Determinants of Class Formation (Gramsci)

economic, political, ideological

2 forms of resistance (Gramsci)

1.War of maneuver

2. War of position

3 Organic Intellectuals (Gramsci)

1. Traditional

2. Technicians

3. Organic Working Class

Class Formation Theory (Gramsci)

1.Isolated Opposition

2. Oppositional Block

3. Counter-hegemonic Class

4. Hegemony (inter & intra-class struggles)

(ALL SHAPED BY CONTEXT)

4 Characteristics of "New Right"

1. anti-statism & fiscal retrenchment

2. reassertion of traditional morality

3. laissez-faire or neoliberal policies

4. opposition to group rights & reassertion of individualism