Chapter 10 Sociology

Democracy

A political system in which the powers of government derive from the consent of the governed and in which regular constitutional avenues exist for changing government officials. Gives the population a voice in decision making Allows for a broad, relatively equal citizenship among the populace Affords the citizenry protection from arbitrary state action Factors that Promote Democracy: Competition Strong Civil Society Relative Stability in Economic and Social Conditions Majority of people WANT a democracy

Authoritarianism

A political system that denies ordinary citizens representation by, and control over, their own government. The government tolerates little or no opposition to its rule but permits nongovernmental centers of influence and allows debate on some issues of public policy.

How is religion organized? What are its principal beliefs and values? How is it related to the larger society? what explains its success or failure in recruiting and retaining believers?

questions that sociologists ask

unchurched

those who consider themselves spiritual but not religious, and who often adopt assets of various religious traditions

Fundamentalists

those who literally interpret text and want to return to a time of greater religious purity

Is the non coercive, legitimate exercise of power. when people possess this, they have a recognized and established right to give orders determine policies, pronounce judgements settle controversies and act as leaders

Authority

Education

Education is the central means by which a society transmits its knowledge, values, and expectations to its members.

Conflict Perspective view on religion

NEGATIVE- religion is sexist some religions have anti-homosexual doctrines some have racist doctrines Religion is the spark that lights wars POSTIVE- Religious organizations have been agents of social justice and political change

Structural Functionalism

"Functionalist theorists look to the contributions religion makes to society's survival. They reason that if every known society seems to have something called religion, its presence cannot be dismissed as a social accident" (p.358).

Types of government

1. Authoritarianism 2. Totalitarianism 3. Monarchy 4. Democracy

Bureaucratic structure of schools

1. Federal Government 2. Department of Education 3. Schools and colleges 4. Board of Education and Trustees 5. Administrators 6. Teachers or Professors 7. Students

*Important* Sociological approach to evaluating types of governance

1. Who has the power and who does not? 2. what kind of power is exerted? 3. how far does that power extend?

symbolic interactionism (part 2)

Focuses on the ways in which individuals interpret their religious experiences. Emphasizes that beliefs and practices are not sacred unless people regard them as such. Once they are regarded as sacred, they take on special significance and give meaning to people's lives.

what two groups have dramatically increased in recent decades

Fundamentalist and unchurched

Monarchy

Governments ruled by a king or queen; nobility is handed down through family lines Two categories of monarchies: Absolute Typically have complete authority over their subjects, much like a dictator. Constitutional Royal figures whose powers are defined by a political charter and limited by a parliament or other governing body.

Interactionist Perspective to school

Interested in the PROCESS occurring in schools. A 1986 study of 2,500 5th grade classrooms, by Philip W. Jackson, found that "few opportunities were provided to learn in small groups, to improve analytical skills, or to interact extensively with teachers." US Schools are more segregated today than in 1954 when the Supreme Court ruled against racial segregation. Why? Due to historical patterns of racism that have racially segregated communities with minority children living in high-poverty neighborhoods Things that impact Self-Fulfilling Prophecy: Labeling students into groups such as "low achieving" Negative teacher-expectation re: inner-city and minority students

The ability to impose one's will on others. It is not distributed randomly or arbitrarily. it is institutionalized in a patterned, recurrent manner it is embedded in stable social arrangements

Power

Emilie Durkheim

Religion serves the functions of social cohesion and social control. Totemism (a religious system where a clan takes the name of, claims descent from, and attributes sacred properties to a plant or animal). His belief is that religion is the symbolization of society and that by means of religious rituals, the group in effect worships itself. He concluded that "when religion is imperiled and not replaced by a satisfying substitute, society itself is jeopardized: Individuals pursue their private interests without regard to the dictates of the larger social enterprise."

primary functions of religion (functionalism)

Religion shapes everyday behavior by providing morals, values, rules, and norms for its participants Religion gives meaning to our lives How did we get here? What is our purpose in life? Why do bad things happen to good people? Religion provides the opportunity to come together with others - to share in group activity and identity, to form cohesive social organizations, and to be part of a congregation of like-minded others.

Functionalist Perspective on school

SCHOOLS EXIST TO: Complete socialization Socially integrate a diverse population Screen and select individuals Develop new knowledge

conflict perspective to school

See schools as agencies that reproduce and legitimate the current social order through the FUNCTIONS they perform (do not confuse this with functionalism). And OF COURSE they believe that this benefits some at the expense of others. Correspondence Principle... Schools mirror the workplace See schools as an instrument to "Americanize" minority people See schools as only reproducing capitalism Credentialism... the requirement that some workers (receptionists, factory workers, salesclerks, etc.) have a degree to simply have a degree, not because it is needed for job performance Credentialism functions as a means of class inheritance.

Social Institutes

Social institutions are systems and structures that shape the activities of groups and individuals in society. Examples are politics, religion, and education

conflict perspective part 2

Some conflict theorists "depict religion as a weapon in the service of ruling elites who use it to hold in check the explosive tensions produced by social inequality and injustice. Others see religion as a source of social conflict," while others see religion as a source of social change (p. 360).

Karl Marx

Studied from the writings of Ludwig Feuerbach (process of alienation) Adopted Fuerbach's belief "Religion is the opium of the people." Religion teaches acceptance of injustice and inequalities. Religion provides justification for those in power because it suggests humility and nonresistance to oppression.

Power

The ability to impose one's will on others. Max weber defined it as "the ability to get other's to do one's bidding."

Totalitarianism

The most extreme and modern version of authoritarianism The government seeks to control every aspect, public and private, of citizens' lives Usually headed by a dictator Through propaganda, totalitarian regimes can further control the population by disseminating ideology aimed at shaping their thoughts, values, and attitudes. Can be recognized by these 3 characteristics: A monolithic political party A compelling ideology Pervasive social control

Power-dependence framework

The power of person a over person b is determined by b's dependence on a.

The hidden Curriculum

The training of future workers Schools look a lot like factories. Students have no control over their curriculum, must obey instructions, and gain little intrinsic satisfaction from their work. Because students learn these norms and values in school, they are willing to accept similar conditions when they become workers. (Which perspective does this sound like?) Reinforces and reproduces conditions of social inequality by presenting and reinforcing an image of what is considered normal, right, or good. Typically, schools do not mirror the diversity that they teach.

Max Weber's threefold classification of authority

Traditional Authority Power is legitimated by the sanctity of age-old customs Claim rests on birthright; is perceived as eternal, secure and sacred. Legal-Rational Authority Power is legitimated by explicit rules and rational procedures that define the rights and duties of the occupants of given positions Obedience is owed NOT to the person but to a set of impersonal principles that have been devised in a rational manner Charismatic Authority Power is legitimated by the extraordinary superhuman or supernatural qualities people attribute to a leader. Followers are devoted to the person of the leader, not to tradition or to abstract rational rules and principles.

Definition of government

the formal, organized agency that exercises power and control in modern society, especially through the creation and enforcement of laws

Politics

the methods and tactics of managing a nation or state, as well as administering and controlling its internal and external affairs

Authority

the non coercive, legitimate exercise of power

Example of power-dependence

the power of China over America is determined by America's dependence on china