Wright and Rogers Chap 1. Flashcards
What are the three methods we use to question our society?
Description, Explanation, Evaluation.
Description means?
Knowing what an American society is and comparing it with other societies.
Explanation means?
Analytical and theoretical, using empirical data and key theoretical elements.
Evaluation means?
coming to terms with the values, visions, and morals within we think should embodied in the American society.
What are the six basic aspects of the problem of understanding social rules?
Rules are; enforced,
rules take different forms
rules are frequently not neutral
power and rules interact
rules can be inconsistent
rules can change
In American society (and in relation to evaluation) what are the values we care about?
Freedom, prosperity, fairness, democracy, efficiency
What does “Rules are enforced mean”?
There are consequences for breaking rules (IE: dress bad for interview. dont get job. rob a store and get caught. jail.)
What does “Rules take different forms” mean?
Different kind of rules. (IE: Laws, enforced by power of government. Social norms, enforced informally by the way we’ve been socialized to think.)
What does “Rules are frequently not neutral” mean?
Many rules benefit some, while imposing real harm on others.
What does “Power and rules interact” mean?
Rules are protected by power, but power is also governed by rules(IE: Having power and using that power to defend rules. slavery example.)
What does “rules can be inconsistent” mean?
Rules that make up a society do not need to be consistent or coherent because socities are not like a fine tuned machine which a parts must fit together smoothly.
What does “Rules can change mean” mean?
They change. More often through gradual erosion or metamorphosis.
What does Freedom mean?
People should be able to live their lives to the fullest completely unfettered.
What does Prosperity mean?
Economy should generate high standard of living for all. not just elite minority
What does Efficiency mean?
Economy should generate rational outcomes. Efectively balancing costs and benefits. IE: Stance on environment, healthcare, etc.
