Introducing Sociology Flashcards
Marxists
Definition
A structural theory of society which sees society divided by conflict between two main opposing social classes due to the private ownership of the means of production
Marxists: capitalists and workers
2 basic social classes in capitalist industrial society:small wealthy&powerful class (bourgeoisie or capitalists ) and poorer class (proletariat) have to sell there labour because they didn’t own the means of production
Marxists: class conflict
Exploitation created major differences in interest between the two classes and this created conflict
- workers interests lay In higher wages to achieve a better lifestyle to achieve a better lifestyle (achieve the profits of the bosses)
- bosses wanted higher profits to expand their businesses and wealth but this could only be achieved by keeping workers wages low
Social action theories or interpretivist approaches
Approaches are perspectives which emphasise the creative action which people can take, rather than seeing them as simply passive victims of social force
Social action theories or interpretivist approaches features
- society and social structures/institutions are seen as the creation of individuals.
- an emphasis is placed on the free will of people to do things, in how they act and form their identities
Feminist perspective
Examines society particularly from the point of view and interests of women.
Argue that the mainstream sociology has been focused on concerns of men and has failed to deal with the concerns of women
Marxist feminism
Takes a Marxist approach to the study of women and women’s interest and emphasises the way in which women are double exploited both as workers and as women
Radical feminism
Focuses on the problem of men and male domination under patriarchy (system where males dominate in every area of society)
Liberal feminism
Focuses on measures to ensure that women have equal opportunities with men within the present system
New right perspective
Definition
Stresses individual freedom and self-help and self-reliance, reduction of the power and spending of the state
New right perspective features
1.individual freedom and self-interest
- Emphasises individual freedom and self-interest and the need to reduce the power of the state to the minimum as they are reducing control of the individual by unnecessary state interference
- self-interest is given priority over the needs and welfare of others
New right perspective features:
2. Reduced spending by the state
-reducing spending by the state by making individuals self-reliant e.g cutting welfare benefits to encourage people to work and not expecting them to be dependant on the state
New right perspective features:
3. A Defence of the free market
Means that free competition between individuals, companies, schools and other institutions is encouraged to give individuals max choice between competing products
New right perspective features:
4. Importance of traditional institutions and values
-such as traditional family life and traditional education, and a disagreement on anything that challenges these values e.g lone parent families have been attended by new right as they believe they have poor discipline, cause underachievement at school, crime
Postmodernism view
Stressed that society is changing so rapidly and constantly that it is marked by chaos, uncertainty and risk and is fragmented into many different groups, interests and lifestyles
- social structures are being replaced by a mass of individuals making individual choices about their lifestyle
- Marx and func can no longer be used to explain so
