Lecture 2: Origins of Sociology

Question 1

Distinguish between ‘Macro-Sociology’ and ‘Micro-Sociology’

Answer 1

Macro-Sociology is concerned with larger-scale influences such as politics, structures of society (e.g. class differences), while Micro-Sociology is concerned with immediate influences that impact on an individual.

Macro examines the wider structures, interdependent social institutions, global and historical processes of social life. Macrosociology analyses large-scale social systems and whole societies, while Micro structures look at patterns of intimate social relations typically formed in direct face-to-face interactions such as family, friends, work.

Marxism, Functionalism and Systems Theory are regarded as macro-sociological theories, while Symbolic interactionism is regarded as micro- sociological theories.

Question 2

Describe the impact of Industrial Revolution, its effect on society and how it has changed the lives of people.

Answer 2

1. Technology
2. Rural to urban
3. Factory (living condition)
4. Democracy

The Industrial Revolution which began in 1760 has greatly impacted the world. Before the movement, the livelihood of people was mainly in agriculture, and manufacturing was often done with hand tools and basic machines. The movement created a shift to powered machinery, factories and mass production.
The Second Industrial Revolution began in the 1860s in Europe, the US and Japan, and saw advancement in the production of steel, railroads, electricity and chemicals. With improved transportation (steam engines in place of horse-drawn carts) and communication, production and consumption of goods increased in massive proportions.
During this movement, people had abandoned their life of agriculture and migrated to cities to find factory jobs. People exchanged long working hours and lack of safe working environment for low pay. They stayed in overcrowded and filthy environment. All these gave rise to the people demanding for their rights and democracy, and there were improvements in social and government strategies to implement laws and regulations. On the other hand, the living standards for individuals who owned means of production went up, creating the middle class and leading to the capitalism system.
The effects of the Industrial Revolution have persisted in our world today and has shaped our lives. The movement was an explosion of dramatic technological and social change. We continue to have mass production and consumerism which keep goods low-priced. There is an improvement in transportation, and employment has been made much more available. It has also influence the government to set better regulations and labour unions.