History of Social Theory
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Durkheim and Organizational Culture
IRLE IRLE WORKING PAPER #108-04 June 2004 Durkheim and Organizational Culture James R. Lincoln and Didier Guillot Cite as: James R. Lincoln and Didier Guillot. (2004). “Durkheim and Organizational Culture.” IRLE Working Paper No. 108-04. http://irle.berkeley.edu/workingpapers/108-04.pdf irle.berkeley.edu/workingpapers Durkheim and Organizational Culture James R. Lincoln Walter A. Haas School of Business University of California Berkeley, CA 94720 Didier Guillot INSEAD Singapore June , 2004 Prepared for inclusion in Marek Kocsynski, Randy Hodson, and Paul Edwards (editors): Social Theory at Work . Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. Durkheim and Organizational Culture “The degree of consensus over, and intensity of, cognitive orientations and regulative cultural codes among the members of a population is an inv erse function of the degree of structural differentiation among actors in this population and a positive, multiplicative function of their (a) rate of interpersonal interaction, (b) level of emotional arousal, and (c) rate of ritual performance. ” Durkheim’ s theory of culture as rendered axiomatically by Jonathan Turner (1990) Introduction This paper examines the significance of Emile Durkheim’s thought for organization theory , particular attention being given to the concept of organizational culture. We ar e not the first to take the project on —a number of scholars have usefully addressed the extent and relevance of this giant of Western social science for the study of organization and work. Even so, there is no denying that Durkheim’s name appears with vast ly less frequency in the literature on these topics than is true of Marx and W eber, sociology’ s other founding fathers . -
Jonathan White the Social Theory of Mass Politics
Jonathan White The social theory of mass politics Article (Accepted version) (Refereed) Original citation: White, Jonathan (2009) The social theory of mass politics. Journal of Politics, 71 (1). pp. 96-112. ISSN 1468-2508 DOI: 10.1017/S0022381608090075 © 2009 Cambridge University Press This version available at: http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/23528/ Available in LSE Research Online: January 2016 LSE has developed LSE Research Online so that users may access research output of the School. Copyright © and Moral Rights for the papers on this site are retained by the individual authors and/or other copyright owners. Users may download and/or print one copy of any article(s) in LSE Research Online to facilitate their private study or for non-commercial research. You may not engage in further distribution of the material or use it for any profit-making activities or any commercial gain. You may freely distribute the URL (http://eprints.lse.ac.uk) of the LSE Research Online website. This document is the author’s final accepted version of the journal article. There may be differences between this version and the published version. You are advised to consult the publisher’s version if you wish to cite from it. WHITE The Social Theory of Mass Politics Journal of Politics 71 (1). 96-112 Jonathan White (LSE) Abstract This paper argues the study of mass politics is currently weakened by its separation from debates in social theory. A preliminary attempt at reconnection is made. The implications of an interpretative turn in social theorising are explored, and the interpretative perspectives of mentalism, intersubjectivism, textualism and practice theory examined in detail, in particular regarding how they and their equivalents in political study differ on units of analysis and how to understand one of the key social practices, language. -
Augustine's Contribution to the Republican Tradition
Grand Valley State University ScholarWorks@GVSU Peer Reviewed Articles Political Science and International Relations 2010 Augustine’s Contribution to the Republican Tradition Paul J. Cornish Grand Valley State University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/pls_articles Part of the Political Science Commons Recommended Citation Cornish, Paul J., "Augustine’s Contribution to the Republican Tradition" (2010). Peer Reviewed Articles. 10. https://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/pls_articles/10 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Political Science and International Relations at ScholarWorks@GVSU. It has been accepted for inclusion in Peer Reviewed Articles by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks@GVSU. For more information, please contact [email protected]. article Augustine’s Contribution to the EJPT Republican Tradition European Journal of Political Theory 9(2) 133–148 © The Author(s), 2010 Reprints and permission: http://www. Paul J. Cornish Grand Valley State University sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav [DOI: 10.1177/1474885109338002] http://ejpt.sagepub.com abstract: The present argument focuses on part of Augustine’s defense of Christianity in The City of God. There Augustine argues that the Christian religion did not cause the sack of Rome by the Goths in 410 ce. Augustine revised the definitions of a ‘people’ and ‘republic’ found in Cicero’s De Republica in light of the impossibility of true justice in a world corrupted by sin. If one returns these definitions ot their original context, and accounts for Cicero’s own political teachings, one finds that Augustine follows Cicero’s republicanism on several key points. -
Habermas's Theory of Communicative Action Udc: 316.286:316.257
UNIVERSITY OF NIŠ The scientific journal FACTA UNIVERSITATIS Series: Philosophy and Sociology Vol.2, No 6/2, 1999 pp. 217 - 223 Editor of Special issue: Dragoljub B. Đorđević Address: Univerzitetski trg 2, 18000 Niš, YU Tel: +381 18 547-095, Fax: +381 18-547-950 NEW SOCIAL PARADIGM: HABERMAS'S THEORY OF COMMUNICATIVE ACTION UDC: 316.286:316.257 Ljubiša Mitrović Faculty of Philosophy, Niš Abstract. The paper discusses the contribution of J. Habermas to the foundation of a new social paradigm in the form of the communicative action theory. The author first gives a global survey of Habermas's intellectual development, starting from Marx through the critical theory to post-Marxism that Habermas finally left behind since oriented towards convergence and integration of the social action theory, the system theory and the symbolic interactionism theory. Unlike Marx's paradigm of production and social labor as the basic category Marxist theory is built upon, Habermas has built a new paradigm of the communicative action focused upon the communicative mind, communication and rationality as well as the communicative community. The author critically points to the values as well as inner limits of Habermas's theory that reduced a complex and controversial class nature of the society to the "communicative community" thus promoting idealistic worship of the role of the rational discourse. Key words: Communicative Action, Rational Discourse, Communicative Mind, Communicative Community, Post-Marxism The theory of communicative action belongs to the set of modern post-Marxist theories. Its author is Jurgen Habermas (1929-), the German philosopher and sociologist who pertains to the second generation of the Frankfurt philosophical circle. -
Can Augustine Offer Any Insight on Vocation? Megan Devore
“The Labors of our Occupation”: Can Augustine Offer Any Insight on Vocation? Megan DeVore Megan DeVore is Associate Professor of Church History and Early Christian Studies in the Department of Theology, School of Undergraduate Studies at Colorado Christian University, Lakewood, Colorado. She earned her PhD specializing in Early Christianity from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David in the United Kingdom. Dr. DeVore is a member of the North American Patristic Society, the American Society of Church History, the Society of Biblical Literature, the Evangelical Theological Society, and the American Classical League. Around the year 401, a curious incident transpired near Roman Carthage. A cluster of nomadic long-haired monks had recently wandered into the area, causing a stir among locals. These monks took the gospel quite seriously; that is, they lived very literally one part of a gospel, “Consider the birds of the air, for they neither sow, nor reap, nor gather into barns … Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they labor not” (Matt 6:26-29). They were apparently not only shunning all physical labor on behalf of medita- tive prayer, but they were also (at least according to Augustine’s depiction of the situation) imposing such unemployment upon others, namely local barbers. In response, Augustine penned a unique pamphlet. It takes the form of a retort, but as it unfolds, a commentary on the dignity and duty of work emerges—manual labor, in itself significant, as well as “the labors of our occupation” (labores occupationem nostrarum) and “labor according to our rank and duty” (pro nostro gradu et officio laborantibus, De Op. -
Population Decline and Contemporary Durkheimian Theory*
Free Inquiry In Creative Sociology Volume 35 No. 1 May 2007 51 POPULATION DECLINE AND CONTEMPORARY DURKHEIMIAN THEORY* Swati Shirwadkar, University of Pune, India; Tom Segady, Stephen F. Austin State University; and Robert Szafran, Stephen F. Austin State University ABSTRACT Of the "classic" sociological theorists, it was Durkheim who established as a central concern the challenge of moral development in the face of rapid modernization. In traditional societies, characterized by mechanical solidarity, Durkheim saw religion constructing the basis for collective representations. The moral dimension of traditional societies was centralized and enforced with repressive laws. With the transition to organic solidarity, as a result of Durkheim's largely unstated assumption of the changes brought on by population growth-which he equated with 'moral density'-the centrality of religious beliefs de clined. From religion to law to social contracts, the foundations on which societies rest shifted dramatically. In postmodern societies, with declining populations and rapidly-evolving technological capabilities, the relationship between moral development and the basis for organic solidarity becomes less clear. Population growth and an increasing division of labor no longer foster the type of social integration and moral density that Durkheim posited. The shifting modalities of moral development that are emerging in postmodern societies were, however, anticipated by Durkheimian theory, and out of this several propositions for further investigation are -
A Brief Guide to Writing SOCIAL THEORY
Writing Workshop WRITING WORKSHOP BRIEF GUIDE SERIES A Brief Guide to Writing SOCIAL THEORY Introduction Reading Theory Critical theory is a method of analysis that spans over Consider the well-known, classical text by Emile many academic disciplines. Here at Wesleyan, we find Durkheim: Suicide. It was the first book that studied a ourselves with an array of courses that explore a social fact in a societal context. It was written in variety of theoretical texts. The Certificate in Social, 1897, and in French; for a college student living in Cultural, & Critical Theory can attest to this, boasting the United States in the twenty-first century, the an extensive list of courses hailing from over fifteen context in which Suicide was written is probably not departments. Theory is important, and we study it the most relatable. This brings us to one of the first because it helps explain our world and our realities. major things we should be asking when beginning to Given its pervasive nature, you are likely to read: what is the context of this work? The encounter it at some point in your college career following questions are important to keep in mind (math and science people, you are not exempt— and think about before and after reading: string theory! Number theory! Evolutionary theory! Relativity theory! Quantum theory!) and be asked to Ø What is the historical context of the write about it. work? Where was the theorist living at the time? What was the current political climate? The key to writing about theory is to read and fully understand the argument that the theorist in question Ø What is the purpose of the work? What is is making. -
Eugene Heath, Spontaneous Social Order and Liberalism
SPONTANEOUS SOCIAL ORDER AND LIBERALISM Eugene Heath* Abstract Focusing on the ideas of order and social order, this essay offers an analysis of how Hayek’s social theory of spontaneous order may relate to his political theory of liberalism. It is suggested that a moral justification of liberalism may flow from the qualities or virtues that are inextricably connected with a spontaneous social order. This justification is Hayekian, though it is not Hayek’s. Introduction The thought of Friedrich A. Hayek spans several decades and incorporates interrelated theories of economics, society, law, and politics. Hayek is vague, how- ever, on a specific and important question: How does his theory of society, under- stood as a theory of spontaneous social order, relate to his political liberalism? To pose this question is to consider whether Hayek’s social theory plays a role in justi- fying his political theory. Even as one recognizes the features of both theories, it is unclear how the social theory provides the grounds for the political. Hayek seeks to combat a view of society, typically labeled “rationalist constructivist,” that posits that beneficial social patterns must arise from some rational intention, purposeful agreement, or design. Against this outlook, Hayek counters with his theory of spontaneous order, and in so doing he also delineates a liberal theory of politics. Are there any properties of spontaneous order that would provide a nor- mative and theoretical justification of Hayek’s liberal rule of law? A positive re- sponse requires focus on a much neglected question: How ought we to conceive of * Eugene Heath is Associate Professor of Philosophy at the State University of New York at New Paltz. -
Soc 0150 Social Theory Syllabus
SOC 0150: SOCIAL THEORY (W) COURSE MEETS: TUES.-THURS. 2:30-3:45 P.M. FALL TERM 2004 ROOM: 2200 W.W. POSVAR HALL (FORMERLY 2E51 FORBES QUAD) PROFESSOR: DR. LISA D. BRUSH OFFICE LOCATION: 2425 W.W. POSVAR HALL (FORMERLY 2J28 FORBES QUAD) OFFICE HOURS: TUESDAYS 12:00-1:00 P.M. AND BY APPOINTMENT OFFICE PHONE: 412-648-7595 EMAIL ADDRESS: [email protected] WHAT’S THE BIG IDEA?! This course is about Big Ideas: Big Ideas in social theory, Big Ideas about inequality, Big Ideas that explain social change. The Big Idea of the course itself is this: What do you do when you encounter a Big Idea? My premise is that although raw brain power helps, fruitfully engaging with Big Ideas involves skills and strategies that university- educated people can learn and develop. It’s not how smart you are but how you are smart. I want you to finish the semester better able to recognize, analyze, critically evaluate and appreciate, and develop and express Big Ideas in theoretical texts. That includes both theoretical texts you read and theoretical texts you write. The readings in this course are exclusively the Big Ideas of the classical social theorists expressed in their own words (albeit frequently in translation). This is a writing intensive course, which means you will have an opportunity to explore Big Ideas not only by reading and talking but also by systematically writing about them. We will explore the conventions, expectations, and skills of reading and writing social theory as a way of learning what it takes to encounter Big Ideas with intellectual appreciation and critical confidence. -
The Paradox of Positivism
Dylan Riley The Paradox of Positivism The essays in The Politics of Method in the Human Sciences contribute to a historical and comparative sociology of social science by systematically com- paring the rises, falls, and absences of ‘‘methodological positivism’’ across the human sciences. Although all of the essays are of extremely high quality, three contributions develop the argument most fully: George Steinmetz’s introduction and William H. Sewell Jr.’s and Steinmetz’s contributions to the volume. My remarks focus on these three pieces, drawing on the other contributions to illustrate aspects of the argument or to suggest tensions that need exploration. What Is Positivism? What are the authors trying to explain? The term positivism has at least three meanings. It can be a commitment to social evolution in the sense of Auguste Comte and Emile Durkheim. It can refer to an articulated philosophical tra- dition: logical positivism. Or it can refer to a set of scientific research prac- tices: methodological positivism. It is the last meaning that is most relevant for Steinmetz (2005c: 109). Methodological positivism refers to a concept of knowledge, a concept of social reality, and a concept of science. First, it is an epistemology that identifies scientific knowledge with covering laws—that is, statements of the type ‘‘if A occurs, then B will follow.’’ Second, it is an ontology that equates existence with objects that are observable. Third, it is associated with a self- understanding of scientific activity in which social science is independent -
Dewey and the Project of Critical Social Theory*
..··:.:r.·.'· , DEWEY AND THE PROJECT OF CRITICAL ·,····.·.,·,·.·,1··,···",::·' :~ F. ~. r SOCIAL THEORY* ·',:1: ROBERT J. IZENT University of Kansas Social Thought & Research, 2000, Vol. 23, 1&2 Abstract The project of critical social theory shares with progressive (bllt not classical, free 1Harket) liberalism a value-orientation composed ofan egalitarian conception of socialjustice; a positive, delJelopmental vie1v of libertY as selfrealization; and a participatory notion of democracy. Differentiating critical theory fro»: all strains of liberalism is the comsction that capitalism cannot StljJport theinstitutionalieation of this value-orientation, and that tinder modern conditions onlY some form of democratic socialism can. Given thisualue-orientation, thispaperoutlines the mission and struaur: of theproject of critical theory. In its RJOSt recent retreat to the academy, practitioners have losttoud: not onlY 1vith its mission but also lvith the level ofhistorical specificity at wbicb the project can RIOSt effectivelY bepracticed. TIl/O proposals aresuggestedfor recoverilJg and executing its mission. Thefirst is to address citizens in particular societies about the mora! and political significance of contemporary social change. The second is that theory, description, critique, and vision should proceed at a level ofabstraction I callregi1lle analYsis. Here the object ofanalYsis is a specific society with its own history, institutionalfeatures; and cultura! identity. It is suggested that John Dewey': proposals for the retitalization of philosophy are relevant to the recovery of theproject of critical social theory. Following Dewf!Y j • For theirpatience and support over the years I wish to thank my friends Tom Skrtic, Bob Antonio, Mohamed El-Hodiri, Bardwell Smith, and the late Clifford Griffin. This work was supported in part by Grant No. -
The Structuration Approach of Anthony Giddens
Himalayan Journal of Sociology & Antropology-Vol. V (2012) The Structuration Approach of Anthony Giddens ? Mukunda Lamsal Abstract Structuration Theory developed by Anthony Giddens, a British sociologist, in response to claims by post-structuralism, holds that the structures that humans ind themselves in are determined for them, and volunteerism, that suggests that humans are completely free to create their lived environment. Structuration theory has a several unique nomenclature to explain the relationships that the human “agency” has with institutions or “structure”. This paper explains the use of the words and relate them to relevant examples. The understanding that Structuration Theory gives us can be very useful for understanding geographic phenomenon such as the idea of the time-space continuum. Urban arenas have a very complex set of relationships between humans and their environments; housing, movement within the environment, etcetera. The paper is also focused on understanding the connections between Giddens’ theory and the ield of geography. The main focus of this paper is on exploring the complexities of Giddens’ Structuration Theory and understanding how it is currently being implemented in societies. Keywords: Structuration, structuralism, agency, structure Introduction Societies in the developed world are becoming highly advanced and have undergone various changes in their value, knowledge and physical systems. The ield of Sociology has attempted to categorize such changes as a result of various entities acting upon other actors (people), institutions or classes. Sociology has only been around since the mid nineteenth century but has provoked some of the most heated debates concerning human geography. The role we play in our shared reality with the world has come under the studies of some of the most prestigious sociologists, like Karl Marx, Emile Durkheim, and Max Weber.