Introduction to Sociology: Concepts, Theories and Models

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Introduction to Sociology: Concepts, Theories and Models Introduction to Sociology Dirk Helbing and Research Team Zurich May 27, 2008 1 / 32 Introduction to Sociology: Concepts, Theories and Models Dirk Helbing and Research Team Chair of Sociology, in particular of Modeling and Simulation May 27, 2008 Chair of Sociology, in particular of Modeling and Simulation http://www.soms.ethz.ch/ Introduction to Sociology Dirk Helbing and Research Team Zurich May 27, 2008 1 / 32 Chapter 12 Social Movements and Social Change Dirk Helbing www.soms.ethz.ch [email protected] Chair of Sociology, in particular of Modeling and Simulation http://www.soms.ethz.ch/ Introduction to Sociology Dirk Helbing and Research Team Zurich May 27, 2008 2 / 32 Social Movements Social Movements Social Movement is an organized activity that encourages or discourages social change. 1 Alterative social movements serve to help certain people to alter their lives. 2 Redemptive social movements target specific people and seek radical change. 3 Reformative social movements aim for limited social change, but target everyone. 4 Revolutionary social movements seek the basic transformation of an entire society. Chair of Sociology, in particular of Modeling and Simulation http://www.soms.ethz.ch/ Introduction to Sociology Dirk Helbing and Research Team Zurich May 27, 2008 3 / 32 Social Movements Claims Making Claims Making Claims Making is the process of trying to convince the public and public officials of the importance of joining a social movement to address a particular issue. That is, some issue has to be defined as a problem that demands public attention. Example: Need to take public action such as medical research and safer sex campaigns to fight HIV and AIDS. Chair of Sociology, in particular of Modeling and Simulation http://www.soms.ethz.ch/ Introduction to Sociology Dirk Helbing and Research Team Zurich May 27, 2008 4 / 32 Social Movements Deprivation Theory Deprivation Theory Relative Deprivation is a perceived discadvantage arising from some specific comparison. The worst-off people are not necessarily the most likely to organize for change. Example: A revolution occured first in France, where peasants had seen improvements in their lives that made them hope for more change. German peasants, in contrast, knew nothing else but feudal servitude at the time of the French Revolution, and they learned to live with this situation. Chair of Sociology, in particular of Modeling and Simulation http://www.soms.ethz.ch/ Introduction to Sociology Dirk Helbing and Research Team Zurich May 27, 2008 5 / 32 Social Movements Mass-Society Theory Mass-Society Theory Mass-Society Theory assumes that socially isolated people seek out social movements as a way to gain a sense of belonging and importance. Accordingly, social movements are most likely to arise in impersonal mass societies. Flawed people rather than a flawed society are responsible for social movements. People who are well integrated are unlikely to seek membership in a social movement. Example: Prison inmates are more likely to protest their conditions, if programs promoting social ties among them are suspended. Chair of Sociology, in particular of Modeling and Simulation http://www.soms.ethz.ch/ Introduction to Sociology Dirk Helbing and Research Team Zurich May 27, 2008 6 / 32 Social Movements Structural-Strain Theory Structural-Strain Theory 1 Social movements begin to emerge when people come to think their society has some serious problems (structural conductiveness). 2 People begin to experience relative deprivation when society fails to meet their expectations (structural strain). 3 Forming a well-organized social movement requires a clear statement not only of the problem, but also of its causes and its solutions (growth and spread of an explanation). 4 Some specific event sparks collective action when there is a historic opportunity (precipitating factors). 5 A mobilization for action may cause that the rate of change becomes faster and faster. 6 The social movement depends on the non-intervention of political officials, police, and the military (lack of social control). Chair of Sociology, in particular of Modeling and Simulation http://www.soms.ethz.ch/ Introduction to Sociology Dirk Helbing and Research Team Zurich May 27, 2008 7 / 32 Social Movements Resource-Mobilization and Culture Theory Resource-Mobilization and Culture Theory Resource-Mobilization Theory The success of a social movement depends on substantial resources and, therefore, often on a positive public image. It raises and falls with how well it attracts resources, mobilizes people, and forges alliances. Example: Prior to the Iraq War, two individuals using their computers were able to get 120,000 people in 190 countries to sign a petition opposing the war. Today, in principle everybody can organize an own movement. Culture Theory Mobilization depends not only on a sense of injustice, but also on cultural symbols. Chair of Sociology, in particular of Modeling and Simulation http://www.soms.ethz.ch/ Introduction to Sociology Dirk Helbing and Research Team Zurich May 27, 2008 8 / 32 Social Movements Political-Economy and New Social Movements Theory Political-Economy and New Social Movements Theory Political-Economy Theory According to Karl Marx, social movements arise within capitalist societies because the economic system and institutional structures fail to meet the needs of the majority of people. New Social Movements focus on improving of our social and physical surrounding (→ global warming, women and gay rights, etc.). They tend to become global (using mass media and new information technology) and to draw support from the middle and upper-middle classes. Chair of Sociology, in particular of Modeling and Simulation http://www.soms.ethz.ch/ Introduction to Sociology Dirk Helbing and Research Team Zurich May 27, 2008 9 / 32 Social Movements Theories of Social Movements Chair of Sociology, in particular of Modeling and Simulation http://www.soms.ethz.ch/ Introduction to Sociology Dirk Helbing and Research Team Zurich May 27, 2008 10 / 32 Stages in Social Movements Emergence and Coalescence Emergence and Coalescence Stage I. Emergence of Social Movements A social movement is triggered by the perception that something is not ok. Stage II. Coalescence Leaders must determine policies, decide on tactics, build morale, recruit new members, and attract the attention of the media. Chair of Sociology, in particular of Modeling and Simulation http://www.soms.ethz.ch/ Introduction to Sociology Dirk Helbing and Research Team Zurich May 27, 2008 11 / 32 Stages in Social Movements Bureaucratization Bureaucratization Stage III. Bureaucratization To become a political force, a social movement must become an established organization. As this happens, the movement depends less on the charisma and talents of a few leaders and relies more on a professional staff. However, becoming more bureaucratic can also hurt a social movement, when neglecting the need to keep people “fired up” for change. Chair of Sociology, in particular of Modeling and Simulation http://www.soms.ethz.ch/ Introduction to Sociology Dirk Helbing and Research Team Zurich May 27, 2008 12 / 32 Stages in Social Movements Decline Reasons of Decline Stage IV: Decline 1 The social movement may have met its goals. But winning one victory often leads to new goals. 2 Organizational failures, e.g. poor leadership, internal conflicts, day-to-day routine, loss of interest among members, insufficient funds, or repression by authorities. 3 “Selling out” by attracting leaders by offers of money, prestige, or power from within the established system. 4 Repression by the established system, e.g. frightening away participants, discouraging new recruits, imprisoning leaders. 5 The social movement may also “go mainstream”, become an accepted part of the system rather than challenging the status quo. Chair of Sociology, in particular of Modeling and Simulation http://www.soms.ethz.ch/ Introduction to Sociology Dirk Helbing and Research Team Zurich May 27, 2008 13 / 32 Stages in Social Movements Stages in the Lives of Social Movements Chair of Sociology, in particular of Modeling and Simulation http://www.soms.ethz.ch/ Introduction to Sociology Dirk Helbing and Research Team Zurich May 27, 2008 14 / 32 Social Change Social Change Social Change is the transformation of culture and social institutions over time. Cultural Lag Material culture (technology) usually changes faster than nonmaterial culture (ideas, attitudes, and norms). Chair of Sociology, in particular of Modeling and Simulation http://www.soms.ethz.ch/ Introduction to Sociology Dirk Helbing and Research Team Zurich May 27, 2008 15 / 32 Social Change Culture and Change Culture and Change Discovery occurs when people notice new elements of the existing world. Invention produces new objects, ideas, and social patterns. Diffusion creates change as products, people, and information spread. Chair of Sociology, in particular of Modeling and Simulation http://www.soms.ethz.ch/ Introduction to Sociology Dirk Helbing and Research Team Zurich May 27, 2008 16 / 32 Social Change Other Mechanisms of Change Other Mechanisms of Change Conflict and Change Karl Marx saw class conflict as the engine that drives societies from one historical era to another. Ideas and Change Max Weber traced the roots of most social change to ideas. For example, people with charisma can carry a message that sometimes changes the world. Demographic Change Population patterns and population growth also play a significant part in social change.
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