Final Flashcards
social change
persistent transformation in social structures, cultural norms, and institutions
Influences education, family structures, and societal relationships
sources of social change
environmental pressures:
climate change, natural disasters
population growth: urbanization, resource allocation
cultural/technological innovation:
the internet, medical advancements
cultural diffusion:
spread of practices (Americanization)
types of social movements
reform movements:
change within existing systems
countermovements:
resist changes introduced by reform or revolutionary movements
revolutionary movements:
overhaul political systems
role of ideology in social movements
ideology provides direction, defines “heroes and villains”, and clarifies goals
shifts in ideology weakens movements
relative deprivation (social movements)
movements emerge from unmet rising expectations rather than severe deprivation
context shapes perception!!!
role of resource mobilization in social movements
movements require funds, labor, media, and political influence
social media helps cohesion
role of political opportunity in social movements
vulnerable institutions provide openings for activism
movements emerge when external factors lower participation
causes of anomie
rapid social changes
sources of rapid social change
things like 9/11, natural disasters
sources of long-term social change
environmental pressure, population growth, technological and cultural diffusion
climate change, internet, colonialism, Americanization
anomie
lacking usual social or ethnic standards
3 goals of nationalism
national autonomy:
self-governance
national unity:
shared identity and cohesion
national identity:
a collective culture
ethnie
common ancestry and cultural elements without political structures
nation
defined homeland, governance, shared myths, legal systems. distinct public culture
walker conner
differentiates patriotism (state loyalty) from ethnonationalism (loyalty to ethnic group)
individual vs. collective identity
individual:
people may have multiple identities that change (work, family, religion)
collective:
national identity is a stable, cultural collective often built on symbols, myths, and values that individuals resonate with
being part of a nation goes beyond individual affiliation, as it is a shared culture
dynamic national identity
national identity evolves as cultures and generations interpret symbols, values, and myths
a nation’s values may evolve from a “heroic vision” (liberation) to a more practical identity (diversity and innovation)
individual vs. collective identity
individual:
people may have multiple identities that change (work, family, religion)
collective:
national identity is a stable, cultural collective often built on symbols, myths, and values that individuals resonate with
being part of a nation goes beyond individual affiliation, as it is a shared culture
nationalism as a sociological movement
key distinction:
emphasizes the development & expression of a shared “cultural identity” (cultural gestation and representation)
objective definitions of nation
focus on tangible elements
language, territory, culture
limited because some nations are multi-lingual
subjective definitions of nation
perception & shared sentiment
can be too broad because it can include communities that are not nations
world systems theory
does not view globalization as a recent phenomenon, but synonymous with the 1500s birth of world capitalism
uses the larger historical system or world society insteady of Marx’s class structures as a unit of analysis
Manuel Castell: network society theory
emphasizes technological change and information capitalism
cultural homogenization versus heterogenization
pessimistic hyper globalization:
globalization is ending the world’s diversity
optimistic hyper globalization:
westernization means the expansion of free markets and democracy
homogenization: standardization
heterogenization: cultural mixing (sushi)
“new global” historians
the 1950s was the beginning of the contemporary current of globalization
everything before the 1950s wasn’t globalism, but “international exchange”
Friedman’s globalization phases
globalization 1.0 (1492-1800)
world shrank from large to medium
resources and conquest
2.0 (1800-2000)
medium to small
markets and labor
3.0 (2000-present)
small to tiny
driven by individuals and small groups
Ronald Robertson on culture and globalization
globalization can produce new forms of cultural expression
“glocalization”
there is an interaction of the global and local characterized by cultural borrowing
functional approach to religion
any belief system that doesn’t address the meaning of life is not considered a religion
overlooks the supernatural
religion’s functional role:
helping us understand the purpose of lif
symbolic approach to religion
focuses on the role of key symbols
symbols are fundamental to the characteristics of religion
they serve as a blueprint to help individuals make sense of the world
not all symbols are religious
macro symbols help understand life’s deeper meaning, while micro symbols are used for daily communication
substantive approach to religion
“belief” and “sacredness” as fundamental elements
“community” is essential to religion
traditional forms of religion
Karl Marx and religion
religion is a “pure illusion”
religion is a tool for oppression
it destracts
religion is man-made
Emile Durkheim and religion
religion is social
society is accountable for the existence of religion
the supernatural does not exist
believes in the sacred and the profane
defines magic and it’s utilitarian nature
Max Weber and religion
the sacred social order is now produced by those with competence (charisma)
raltionalization created a world where gods were chased away
magical and supernatural elements were replaced by science, law, etc.
human logic and institutions take precedence
secularism
the idea that religion declines under modernity
secularism theory
religion is doomed under modernity
religion loses its significance
this is why religion was ignored by sociologists
argues that religion might still be significant to the individual, but would no longer influence the social, economic, political, and cultural direction of modern industrial societies
contemporary religious issues
Christian nationalism and political ideologies
open systems theory: religion and society
open systems theory
religious organizations and society influence each other
religious organizations promote resistance to homosexuality, which then influences society, reinforcing the same attitudes back to the religious groups
absolutist definition of deviance
categorizes behavior as inherently “good” or “bad”,
stereotyping
relativist definition of deviance
views deviance as socially constructed\
what is considered deviant varies across cultures
who commits it, who labels it, and when it occurs
deviance and power: conflict perspective
definitions of deviance often reflect the influence of powerful groups imposing control over less powerful groups, shaping societal norms
capitalism’s encouraging of consumption while keeping wages low created a contradiction that leads to criminal behavior among those who cannot afford luxury
Marxian conflict theory: contradictions are inherent in capitalism
the legal and criminal justice system benefit dominant societal groups
strain theory
deviance arises when individuals face a conflict between societal success goals and limited access to legitimate means (G & M)
conformity (GM)
innovation (Gx)
ritualism (xM)
retreatism (xx)
rebellion
labeling theory
explains how being labeled “deviant” alters how others perceive and interact with an individual
“ex-convict”
societies use formal (registries) and informal (social media) methods to condemn deviance
this reinforces deviance identities
deviant labels stick
medicalization of deviance
behavior categorized as medical conditions requiring treatment
behaviors once seen as mischief or life stresses are now labeled as psychiatric diseases
drug companies influence criteria for diagnosis
this depoliticalizes social issues by framing them as individual defects
evolving deviance
deviance is not fixed; laws and societal norms evolve through time
media’s role in shaping deviance
influence on crime perception (violent over non-violent crimes)
selective crime portrayal
focus on street crimes
(street crimes over corporate or government crimes)
the 3 things deviance requires:
a behavioral expectation or norm
a perceived violation of that norm
a societal reaction ranging from criticism to punishment
tough on crime policies
not tough on crime enough -> leading to harsher sentences, reduced parole, & increased prison construction
growing prison populations (200,000 in 1970 to 2.1 mil todau)
US has highest incarceration rate
symbolic interactionism
deviance is learned through interactions with close associates (friends and family) who influence behavior by transmitting techniques and attitudes for committing deviant acts
society -> symbols -> establish meaning -> develop views -> communicate with each other -> society
deterrence theory
shifts focus from exploring why individuals violate norms to examining the factors that discourage most people from engaging in deviant behavior
cost and benefit analysis!
white collar deviance
wealthy people & corporations often face more lenient consequences for criminal behavior compared to marginalized groups
public perception underestimates the dangers of corporate white-collar crimes
corporations often avoid significant repercussions through money
human rights definition
protections and entitlements held by individuals
negative rights
negative:
rights protecting individuals from state or non-state interference
life, free speech, bodily integrity, due process
ensure safety and freedom of conscience
positive rights
rights that require active provision by authorities
education, healthcare, housing, min. standard of living
promote longevity (health) and self-actualization (education)
indivisibility of rights
rights are interconnected; civil rights depend on economic and cultural rights for realization
generations of rights
first gen:
civil and political freedoms
second gen:
economic and social well-being
third gen:
cultural preservation and group rights
fourth gen:
global challenges
Turner’s ontological approach
human rights stem from universal human vulnerabilities
(human body as foundation for universal rights)
Ishay’s historical approach
rights are part of human struggles
(emphasizes political and social movements shaping human rights)
US human rights progress
13th (abolish slavery)
19th (women’s suffrage)
civil rights act (1964)
voting rights act (1965)
globalization and human rights
economic inequalities:
global north’s dominance limits global south’s development
limited social program funding
digital divide:
no internet harms education and healthcare
media:
northern dominance of media
the stratification systems
slavery
caste system
estate system
social class
