Ideology, History, & Classical Social Theory

► What is a theorist?

► Observes

►Seeks order

Why are theories created?

Need

Impose order

Prediction & control

Theories Vary & ChangeSame experiences can be

theorized in different waysExamples: Greek understanding

of human body & personalityEarth as center of universeOther examples?

The Universe During the first few centuries B.C.Greeks described the first realistic

model of the universe:

Earth in the center (sphere)Concentric spheres with the sun,

moon, Mars, and VenusOn the outer sphere, were the stars

Earth at the Center

What is a Social Theory?

Definition: A body of organized, verifiable ideas developed to explain various aspects of society & social behavior.

Explains how & why specific facts are related

Creates order Make sense of the world & our place in the

world.

The Development of Social TheoryHistorical Context

French Revolution (1789) to WWI 1919Dramatic Changes

EconomicSocialPolitical

The Development of Social Theory

Change in IdeasHow people saw & made sense of the

worldChange after decades of little changeCause of social changeImportance of religion

Ways of thinking about Change

God’s will

Linear (progress)

Cyclical

Linear Change

Thrive

Decline

Rise

Cyclical Change

8/28 Social theory to deal with:Change after stabilityWidespread changeUncertainty about the futureExamples:

Class conflictLoneliness in citiesSocial disorganization

Enlightenment 17th & 18th c.

Reason can create a better world by eliminating:

Ignorance SuperstitionTyranny

The Enlightenment

Principal targets:

Religion (Catholic Church)

Hereditary aristocracy

The Enlightenment

Ways of knowingIdeologyReasonScience

IdeologyJustifies existing social arrangementsValue-laden

Examples:“Divine right of kings”RacismSexism

ReasonAll knowledge discovered through

rational processesUniverse operates on “laws”Humans have:

Free willIntelligenceControl destiny & environment

ScienceScientific methods

Guidelines for gathering & interpreting information

Value free

Saint-Simon (1760-1825)

Social Environment

French social philosopherAmerican Revolution

Served on side of colonistsFrench Revolution

Made a fortune in land speculationIncreasing industrialization The Enlightenment

IdeasPromoted study of natureNature & society governed by lawsReorganization of society

Organized by wise menBased on scientific division of laborSpontaneous social harmony

IdeasState’s 3 responsibilities

1.Public works

2.Free education

3.Uplifting recreation

Ideas

“Industrial army”Construction of roads, bridges,

canals, planting forests

Organism as metaphor for society

Science-> replace religion

“Saint-Simonianism”After Saint-Simon’s death Small group of follower’s organized

calling for:Abolition of inheritance rightsPublic control of means of productionGradual emancipation of women

Became a moral-religious cultSociologists as high priests*

August Comte (1798-1857)

Social EnvironmentSocial UpheavalSeries of governments:

DemocraticOligarchy of middle-class elitesDictatorship of Napoleon (1799-1814)Return to Bourbon monarchy

His parents liked the monarchyEconomic problemsReligious turmoil

Goals for SociologyCreate order

Unified spiritual orderSocial & political stability to France

View of society=Organic Society’s basic unit is the family

Not the individualFamily is emotional & moral union

Goals for SociologySocial & political problems improved

by scienceDiagnosed & cured like human diseases

Natural laws Explain stability & change

SociologyReplace Roman Catholic Church as source

Truth, Understanding, and Order *

Herbert Spencer

29

30

Herbert Spencer

Religious / political / philosophical background

Laissez-faire economics

31

Herbert Spencer

His book Social Statics:

Human happinessAchieved only when individualsCan satisfy their needs and desiresWithout infringing on the rights of

othersTo do the same.

32

Herbert Spencer

“Society is akin to a special organism obeying its own laws of progress.”

The natural order of all societies is one of hierarchy.

33

Herbert SpencerAlmost a decade before Darwin

published On the Origin of Species,

Spencer coined the phrase “survival of the fittest.” *