Emile Durkheim

Question 1

Emile Durkheim

Answer 1

believed society is more than simply the aggregation of its components

societies are weak entities, social organisms

society runs through all of us, we are part of it

Question 2

Social determinism

Answer 2

the idea that a person’s behavior, beliefs, and opportunities are primarily shaped by their social and cultural environment, rather than their individual choices or inherent qualities

Question 3

Structural functioanlism

Answer 3

analyzed societies as a whole, looked at the functions social relations fulfil for the society to survive

“machine” with different components, each serving a specific function to keep the society running smoothly.

Question 4

Consensus

Answer 4

focused on the glue that holds societies together, not conflict that tears them apart

Question 5

Moral density

Answer 5

shared norms and values, outlooks and identity

affected by social density
collective consciousness
rituals: heighten shared awareness of social unity

Question 6

Society as Good (God)

Answer 6

Durkheim has been accused of worshipping society
more important than the individual

Question 7

Integration

Answer 7

believed integration is always beneficial because it promotes peace and mutual understanding

Question 8

Durkheim and Power

Answer 8

Durkheim does not look at power/conflict and this is a central element of the sub-dicipline

Question 9

Social Relations

Answer 9

He looks at how social relations affect politics, and his focus on consensus has influenced two particular areas of political sociology

1) Identity Politics
2) civil society

Question 10

Identity politics (human mind levels)

Answer 10

CDurkheim claimed that the human mind had two levels, switching regular from one to the other

1) Individual level: focused on you as individual which considers your particular needs and interests

2) Collective level: focused on your community and considers the needs and interests of the community

Question 11

Collective level

Answer 11

Moral density shapes collective level

rituals and symbols play important rules switching you from your default level to the collective level

Question 12

Nation-state

Answer 12

emerged as dominant political model over the past few centuries and defines who is apart of the nation and how the state is supposed to serve

For example: symbols and rituals sometimes exclude and remove others

Question 13

Civil society

Answer 13

focuses on norms of civility and active associational participation

recognizes that politics are dependent on the population

political system is only as good as its citizens