Introduction to Sociology: Social Institutions Prof. Dr. Dirk Helbing and Research Team Zurich May 6, 2008 1 / 96 Introduction to Sociology: Social Institutions Prof. Dr. Dirk Helbing and Research Team Chair of Sociology, in particular of Modeling and Simulation May 6, 2008 Chair of Sociology, in particular of Modeling and Simulation http://www.soms.ethz.ch/ Introduction to Sociology: Social Institutions Prof. Dr. Dirk Helbing and Research Team Zurich May 6, 2008 1 / 96 Social Institutions Peter Felten www.soms.ethz.ch [email protected] Chair of Sociology, in particular of Modeling and Simulation http://www.soms.ethz.ch/ Introduction to Sociology: Social Institutions Prof. Dr. Dirk Helbing and Research Team Zurich May 6, 2008 2 / 96 Overview Structure: 1 Definition of Social Institutions 2 Role of Social Institutions in the Society 3 The main Social Institutions 1 Economy 2 Politics and Government 3 Families 4 Education 5 Health and Medicine 6 Religion Chair of Sociology, in particular of Modeling and Simulation http://www.soms.ethz.ch/ Introduction to Sociology: Social Institutions Prof. Dr. Dirk Helbing and Research Team Zurich May 6, 2008 3 / 96 Introduction Definitions Definition ”Institutions” ...expections of ”obeying the rules” which claim an obligatory worth. These rules applies to ones who are aware of them, did not follow them or have forgotten the rules (proving these rules through other players e.g. via punishing glances). simple: way of doing something in the right way ! centre of analyses in sociology Chair of Sociology, in particular of Modeling and Simulation http://www.soms.ethz.ch/ Introduction to Sociology: Social Institutions Prof. Dr. Dirk Helbing and Research Team Zurich May 6, 2008 4 / 96 Introduction Definitions Definition ”Institutions” Jonathan Turner: ”a complex of positions, roles, norms and values lodged in particular types of social structures and organising relatively stable patterns of human activity with respect to fundamental problems in producing life-sustaining resources, in reproducing individuals, and in sustaining viable societal structures within a given environment”’ Chair of Sociology, in particular of Modeling and Simulation http://www.soms.ethz.ch/ Introduction to Sociology: Social Institutions Prof. Dr. Dirk Helbing and Research Team Zurich May 6, 2008 5 / 96 Introduction Definitions Definition ”Institutions” Social institutions need to be distinguished from less complex social forms such as conventions, social norms, roles and rituals. The latter are among the constitutive elements of institutions. Social institutions need also to be distinguished from more complex and more complete social entities, such as societies or cultures, of which any given institution is typically a constituive element. Chair of Sociology, in particular of Modeling and Simulation http://www.soms.ethz.ch/ Introduction to Sociology: Social Institutions Prof. Dr. Dirk Helbing and Research Team Zurich May 6, 2008 6 / 96 Introduction Definitions Definition ”Institutions” - example of complexity a) Soc. Inst. are often organisations, moreover many institutions are systems of organisations. For example capitalism is a particular kind of economic institution, and in modern times, capitalism consists in large part in specific organisational forms. b) Nevertheless, some institutions are not organisations, or systems of organisations, and do not require organisations. For example, the English language is an institution, but not an organisation. Chair of Sociology, in particular of Modeling and Simulation http://www.soms.ethz.ch/ Introduction to Sociology: Social Institutions Prof. Dr. Dirk Helbing and Research Team Zurich May 6, 2008 7 / 96 Introduction Definitions Definition ”Institutions” institutions show two central attributes: beliefs and associated manners of the players which are set and controlled by the society Chair of Sociology, in particular of Modeling and Simulation http://www.soms.ethz.ch/ Introduction to Sociology: Social Institutions Prof. Dr. Dirk Helbing and Research Team Zurich May 6, 2008 8 / 96 Introduction Definitions Difference to ”Norm” Institutions act similar to norms, but negative sanctions to limit other players are more in the foreground. Chair of Sociology, in particular of Modeling and Simulation http://www.soms.ethz.ch/ Introduction to Sociology: Social Institutions Prof. Dr. Dirk Helbing and Research Team Zurich May 6, 2008 9 / 96 Introduction Definitions Difference to ”Organisation” No concrete and contentual social shape (e.g. like marriage) meaning no institutional objective by default, membership and/or rules of operation Chair of Sociology, in particular of Modeling and Simulation http://www.soms.ethz.ch/ Introduction to Sociology: Social Institutions Prof. Dr. Dirk Helbing and Research Team Zurich May 6, 2008 10 / 96 Introduction Definitions Difference to ”Role” Normative rules with claim of validity, espected by a player in specific positions in an organization Chair of Sociology, in particular of Modeling and Simulation http://www.soms.ethz.ch/ Introduction to Sociology: Social Institutions Prof. Dr. Dirk Helbing and Research Team Zurich May 6, 2008 11 / 96 Introduction Definitions History in the beginning of the 19th century, institutions have been understood as a social fact Maurice Hauriou (1856-1929) Emile Durkheim (1858-1917) Talcott Parsons (1902-1979) Chair of Sociology, in particular of Modeling and Simulation http://www.soms.ethz.ch/ Introduction to Sociology: Social Institutions Prof. Dr. Dirk Helbing and Research Team Zurich May 6, 2008 12 / 96 Introduction Definitions Sanctions and Legitimacy For the observance of the institutional rules, meaning application is based on the consequences Subjective orientation of the players with their own imagination of a legitmate order, an interest of the player in an institutional order is essential Chair of Sociology, in particular of Modeling and Simulation http://www.soms.ethz.ch/ Introduction to Sociology: Social Institutions Prof. Dr. Dirk Helbing and Research Team Zurich May 6, 2008 13 / 96 Introduction Definitions Why are there Institutions? emergence mostly unplanned but never without a reason problem solution in the everyday life relief of insecurity (e.g. in new situations) individual orientation and collective order corrections of the missing substantive rationality of humans H. Esser: ”all social acting is only effective, permanent, normalized, quasi-automatic and predictable though social institutions” Chair of Sociology, in particular of Modeling and Simulation http://www.soms.ethz.ch/ Introduction to Sociology: Social Institutions Prof. Dr. Dirk Helbing and Research Team Zurich May 6, 2008 14 / 96 Introduction Definitions Aspects of Social Institutions One of the most important sociocultural component of societies. Clustering of social roles, groups and activities. Each of the clusters have a specific contributions to the overall welfare of a society. Those clusters devoted to meet fundamental needs are called social institutions. Chair of Sociology, in particular of Modeling and Simulation http://www.soms.ethz.ch/ Introduction to Sociology: Social Institutions Prof. Dr. Dirk Helbing and Research Team Zurich May 6, 2008 15 / 96 Introduction Definitions Society as a System of Institutions Primitive and modern societies show at least these 5 institutions: Chair of Sociology, in particular of Modeling and Simulation http://www.soms.ethz.ch/ Introduction to Sociology: Social Institutions Prof. Dr. Dirk Helbing and Research Team Zurich May 6, 2008 16 / 96 Introduction Definitions Interdependency of Social Institutions The components of the systems are connected, so that changes in one part produce changes in at least one other part. Finally the overall state of the system changes if parts show interdependence. ...under the assumption that not every component is related to every other component and that the degree of interdependence is different. Chair of Sociology, in particular of Modeling and Simulation http://www.soms.ethz.ch/ Introduction to Sociology: Social Institutions Prof. Dr. Dirk Helbing and Research Team Zurich May 6, 2008 17 / 96 Introduction Definitions How Social Institutions evolve Characteristics of a Social Institution which appear in combination and are always inter-dependent in a funtional sense: 1 A soc. inst. arises out of and as a result of repeated groupings of interacting humans individuals in response to elemental needs or drives (sex, hunger, etc.) 2 Common reciprocating attitudes and conventionalized behavior patterns develop out of the process of interaction (affection, loyality, cooperation, etc.) Chair of Sociology, in particular of Modeling and Simulation http://www.soms.ethz.ch/ Introduction to Sociology: Social Institutions Prof. Dr. Dirk Helbing and Research Team Zurich May 6, 2008 18 / 96 Introduction Definitions How Social Institutions evolve (2) 1 Cultural objects (traits) that embody symbolic values in material substances, are invented or fabricated and become the cue stimuli to behavior conditioned to them (idol, cross, ring, flag, etc.). 2 Cultural objects (traits) that embody ulitarian values in material substances, are invented or fabricated and become the means of satisfying human needs for warmth, shelter, etc. (buldings, furniture, etc.). 3 Preserved in oral or written language, externally strored and handed down from one generation to the next. Chair of Sociology, in particular of Modeling and Simulation http://www.soms.ethz.ch/ Introduction to Sociology: Social Institutions