What Is Sociology?

The study of human interaction

and organization.

Why Should We Learn About

Cda?

• To acquire self-knowledgewho we are; what

are our life chances, etc

• To prevent false conceptions of ourselves

• To develop realistic solutions to unique Cdn problems and constellations of problems

National Unity, Nation-Building & Societal

Integration

• Introduction a) Meaning of National Unity b) Paradox c) Soc’gical Artificiality of Cdn Society

• Means Used by The State to Promote Ntl Unity

a) Policy & Legislation (name the law) b) Institutions

c) Other State Means

• Non-State Factors Contributing to Ntl Unity

Policy & Legislative Means Used by The State to Promote Ntl Integration

• Unity Bill/Clarity Act, 2001

• National Energy Policy, 1980

• Constitution Act, 1982Charter of Rts & FreedomsRecognition of Aboriginal RtsSec. 28: Gender Equality (to here 02Sept13)

Official Languages Act, 1969

Creation of Cdn Flag

Adoption of National Anthem & Currency

Immigration Laws & Procedures

CRTC Canadian Content Regulations

Macdonald’s National Policy

Residential Schools

Cda Health Act

Nation-Bldg (cont’d.): Additional State Policy & Legislative Means

Institutions Created by The Stateto Promote Ntl Integration

• CBC & NFB & Mint

• CNR

• Cdn Council for the Arts

• Social Safety Net (e.g. CPP; EI)

• Military (incl. Coercive integration)

• RCMP

• Festivals and Honorific Awards

• Parks Canada

• Cdn Olympic Association

Non- State Aspects of Cdn Society That Promote National Integration

• Sport• Shared Myths, Symbols & Instit’ns• Shared Values• Inertia based on fear and conservatism• Cross-cutting cleavages• Displacement of aggression & escapist

responses of some oppressed peoples/ limits challenges to the system

• Cumulative Exper. Conflict Resoln• Spread of Nationalistic Ideology in Face

of External Threats (Notable exceptionsexceptions are conscription crises of WWI and WWII.)

What is “The Social Fabric”

• A set of taken-for-granted social expectations, based on common understandings, ideals, and norms that define what individuals can count on when dealing with others and with institutions (and those institutions’ agents)

In assessing the state of societal cohesion, we need to assess

-how well these expectations are being met - peoples’ sense of indebtedness to society - norms of reciprocity (sense of obligation)

The Implicit Social Covenant: The Implicit Social Covenant: Expectations ComprisingExpectations Comprising

the ‘Social Fabric’the ‘Social Fabric’

Implicit social covenant defines what individuals can expect from society & what society can expect from them.

• Full acceptance: sense of belonging to larger whole

• Respect

• Fair treatment

• Trustworthiness of others

• Recognition of the contributions made to community or society

Thus, membership in society entails OBLIGATIONS – members owe something to each other.

Social Change and the Social Fabric

• Some social change strengthens the social fabric; some weakens it.

• The social fabric is particularly vulnerable to weakening during periods of rapid social change.

i.e., when it produces frustrations, social tensions, & status anxieties

Those who see little chance of winning become alienatedand marginalized.

Social Changes Affecting the Social Fabric

• Emergence of a ‘market’ culture.

Society as simply a set of individuals engaged in economic transactions as consumers of goods & services, as taxpayers buying services from govt, as entrepreneurs competing for markets, etc.

Quiet Revolution in Quebec Multiculturalism Policy Immigr’n Policy & Incr. In ‘Visible Minorities’ Emergence of Indigenous Isolates Women’s Movement Globalization & Major Technological Change Multiplication of Interest Groups

Concept: Social Capital

“Social capital” refers to certain properties of relationships and networks, including:

• trust,

• norms of reciprocity,

• norms prohibiting anti-social behaviour, and

• norms compelling beneficial action.

• Angus Reid (pollster): “Canada’s reserves of social capital are at risk of being quickly depleted by the mean-spirited individualism of the new economy and undermined by one-dimensional arguments that focus solely on the need for greater economic freedom.”

• Charles Taylor (The Malaise of Modernity) Concern that people have lost the broader view and feel less a part of the larger social order because they focus on their individual lives.

Sociologists’ ConcernsAbout the Market Culture

(p. 1 of 2)

Sociologists’ ConcernsAbout the Market Culture

(p. 2 of 2)

• Market Culture Emphasizes Self-Interest & Self-Reliance - might discourage the sense that we owe something to others & to the community (sense of indebtedness to society) - encourages a sense of self-worth based on economic success

• Market Culture Endorses a Business Framework as the Main Template for Social Relations & Institutions - What counts is the “bottom line”. e.g., universities’ business plan students as customers

i.e. market culture as a de-stabilizing force that strains the social fabric.

How Fragile is the Social Fabric?Research Findings

• Sense of BelongingStrong re: communities in

which we live and the larger society.• Feeling of Indebtedness to Society

Strong• Sense of Obligation to Help Others

Strong, and we “walk the talk”.Sense of obligation to help anyone in

need is much stronger than our sense of obligation to the social groups of which we are members

Strong commitment to common good• Sense of Mutual Dependence

Strong• Diversity Seen as Source of Strength

Disquieting Trends & Cleavages

• Generation Gap

• Regional Differencesesp. in sense of trust,

commitment, & recognition

• Social Class Cleavages

• Gulf Between Elites & Masses

How Can We Reinforce the Social Fabric?

• Encourage countervailing forces to the individualism of the market culture.

• Eliminate unfairness in distribution of opportunities and in practices of institutions

• Bridge social boundaries

• Achieve fairness in social recognition

• Narrow the gap between citizens and leaders

• Foster community involvement