week 2 - Durkheim Flashcards
what is modernity according to Durkheim?
new discipline of development, a focus on modern society. describes what happens after traditional, feudal societies
associated with enlightenment, industrial revolution, capitalism, democracy and colonialism
what is enlightenment, link it to modernity
1700-1800s
there was seen to be alternative views of religion and trying to find a foundation that could be appealing across different religions
old Christian ideas were seen to be challenged by rational and reason.
Anti-church, pro-science, pro-technology, pro-change - Hamilton
what did Kant think about Enlightenment?
interested in debates in how can we use the pure reason to discover the truth of the world
understanding epistemology
what was Kant’s response to the Great Earthquake of Lisbon?
he collected all the state and formulated a theory of how earthquakes work
he had a systematic attempt of how earthquakes happened
causes of the earthquake, material causes, changes in the structure of the earth based on extensive documentary analysis
he was wrong on his theory but stronger truth based on rationality
what is the social contract theory? Locke
influence of changes of Enlightenment
no longer a universal way of religion and how to run society by divine rights, broken down with criticism, reformation of Europe
religion cohesion and agreement no longer possible, English civil war and anarchy.
social contract theory - everyone gives up a bit of freedom for personal security, protect life, liberty and property, central authority allows for there to be peace and protect individual freedom
these ideas are the foundation of modern legal and justice system, critiques monarchy and autocracy
what does democracy mean in Enlightenment? Rosseau and Locke
organising political power
based on voting and equal voting rights, extend voting rights, Great Reform Act 1832
focus on the quality of individuals regardless of their place within society.
What does Thomas Paine think about democracy?
An American Political Activist and theorist
key influence on the American war of independence and French revolution
Right of man - supporting French revolution, seen to be appropriate as when the state fails to protect the right of man.
elements of individualism, minimal gov’t
proposed the basis of state welfare, free education and others to be a safety net
what does individualism support?
supports capitalism and democracy, retaining a role for gov’t and protecting certain social groups
what does industrial revolution mean for Enlightenment?
new methods of manufacturing. Britain - 19th century steam and water development.
textiles was first to industrialise, quantity to increase. work moved to factories in cities
what does capitalism mean for Enlightenment?
individuals working for a profit, element of competition in privately owned businesses
increase the means of production and the exploitation of the proletariat
Adam Smith - Wealth of nations
changed from serfs to waged labourers
what does colonialism mean for Enlightenment?
empires are political structures in which a set of nations are centrally controlled by another state ruler, the exertion of force, power and violence.
it brought wealth to colonial powers, wealth supported the development of capitalism and industrial revolution
justified through religious superiority, Enlightenment criticises his, the imposition of Euro-centric political organisation
Who is Durkheim?
After Marx, first professor of sociology in France
structuralist thinker, analyses through society, considers order and stability in society
Functionalist thinker, what is the role and function in society
What does Durkheim mean by Solidarity?
social bond that holds society together, system of bonds, rules and practices that link individuals together
common conscience - share set of ideas and norms by society
what is mechanical solidarity?
underdeveloped societies
common roots and identity with others in society
more traditional societies
strong common social bonds
limitations of individual autonomy, individual is part of society
religion is dominant and unchanging
what is organic solidarity?
more advanced after modernity, efficiency
specialises in economic roles
common social bond is the division of labour
best contribution to the overall economic system, better off than before
individuals are distinguishable
large populations
reliant on each other for functions they can’t perform, therefore no longer self-sufficient
defined by their jobs not their parents or background
