Lesson 1: Introduction to the world we live in

Question 1

What is Social Structure?

Answer 1

Social structure is the distinctive, stable arrangement of institutions wherebyhumanbeings in a society interact and live together. Social structure is often treated together with the concept ofsocial change, which deals with the forces that change the social structure and the organization of society.

Question 2

Theoretical Approaches to Social Change

Answer 2

-1960s: Modernisation theories (Anglo-Saxon origin) dominated social change discourse.
- - 1970s: Dependency theories, led by Latin American intellectuals, emerged.
- 1970s: Theories of structural change developed at a higher level of abstraction.
- 1980s: Shift to endogenous development approaches, promoted by UNESCO.
- 1980s: Decoupling perspective for Southern countries proposed by Samir Amin.
- 1990s: Globalisation theories gained prominence, focusing on cultural, economic, and political systems.
- 1990s: Debate on increasing uniformity vs. distinct modernities in contemporary societies.
- World-System Approach: Contextualised social change, highlighting Western influences or postcolonial deviations.

Question 3

Social Structure

Answer 3

“Distinctive, stable arrangement of institutions whereby human beings in a society interact and live together.”
Social structure is linked to social change, which refers to forces that alter the structure and organization of society.

Question 4

Theoretical Approaches to Social Change : Evolution of Frameworks in the 60s - 80s

Answer 4

• Structural Functionalism focussed on social order and stability through instituitions
• Conflict theory highlighted inequalities in society : particularly with relation to class struggles which was influenced by Marxism
• Symbolic Interactionism studied at micro-level social behaviour and interactions
• Critical theory critiqued power, exploitation and traditional sociological frameworks
• Postmodernism challenged grand narratives and emphasised fragmented social realities (eg nuclear family was no more)

Question 5

Symbolic Interactionism

Answer 5

Symbolic interactionism is a micro-level sociological theory that focuses on how individuals create meaning through social interaction.

Question 6

Globalisation and Convergence (1990s)

Answer 6

• Globalisation examined global interconnectedness, culture and politics
• Convergence suggested societies would become similar due to these shared global inflences (upcoming)
• **Critiques argued **that globalisation increased inequalities and reinforced power structures

Question 7

World System Perspective and Postcolonial Influence

Answer 7

• World System theory divided nations into core, periphery and semi-periphery, emphasising global inequality.
• Postcolonial theory focusses on colonialism’s lasting impact on society; identities, race and culture
• Cultural Imperialism examined the dominance of Western culture over the global south.

Question 8

Sociological Study of Social Change

Answer 8

1. Social relations among concerned population : example; social relations between Syrian refugees and local Turkish communities - they have to share spaces, markets and services - can lead to tensions in society
2. Impact of globalised social structures on local populations: spread of multinational fast-food chains in India has influenced global eating habits and hybridity in relation to food habits / fusion / reshaping traditional practices
3. Phenomenon of change from the interaction of different social systems: adoption of renewable energy policies from Germany impacted renewable energy initiatives in Turkey- developed local wind farms in regions like Izmir.

Question 9

Measuring social dimensions of globalisation

Answer 9

• Convergence through Indicators: Empirical findings on measurable indicators like GDP, life expectancy and literacy rates can suggest convergence through societies (Berger 2006) and Schmidt (2006)
• Qualitative differences in systems: despite similar indicators there can be diff qual diffs such as varied forms of capitalism which is shaped by cultural schemes; Western Europe/ Japan / China (can be seen with individualism-collectivism or ethical norms)
• Social Globalisation and Cultural Impact: measured through elements like tourism, internet use, global brands (maccies/ ikea). These may seem to threaten cultural uniqueness, the study of transnational networks and migration offers deeper insights into globalisatiosn effects (eg: maccies in india thriving when being seen as more indianised food / chicken tikka maccies burger)

Question 10

ERA OF LONG-TERM DIFFICULTIES

Answer 10

End of 20th century:
- no longer Eurocentric: europe’s power slowly degrading as there is de-industrialisation (China and the global south)
- Single operationalised unit (global village - mcluhan). Globalisation and the inability of public institutions and human behaviour to keep up - such a fast paced world
- Disintegration of the old patterns of human social relationships. Traditions are questioned led to individualism.

Question 11

3 fundamental processes of social acceleration

Answer 11

• Technological acceleration: of goal directed processes is driven by the economy
• Acceleration of social change : Contraction of the present : social beliefs and actions have a shorter + shorter lifespan and contradict the contemporary beliefs + actions
• Acceleration of pace of life : promise of absolute wealth as reinterpretation of ‘Weber’s iron cage.

Question 12

Accelerated Modernity

Answer 12

• World records constantly being broken : sleeping time declining (rising age of technology), fashion cycles , changing partners and computers and smartphones becoming more powerful
• According to Rosa, society accelerating. Capitalist production accelerated the economic motor. However, consequences permeate cultural dimensions
• Fast-paced production and consumption: anxiety and pressure : deceleration made difficult and smth unaffordable for some
• Forms of deceleration : ‘unplugging’, (yoga, tech- free) : globalisation abusing the Hindu based spiritual tradition without understanding the true meaning just to ‘unwind’, ‘stuck behind’ (obsselete : but what if you just have the means for it

Question 13

Surveillance Capitalism

Answer 13

Apple becomes the most highly capitalised corporation (August 9, 2011).
iPod/iPhone/iTunes reimagines capitalism: Digitalisation of mass consumption.

‘What I want, when, where and how I want it’. (Ariana Grande’s song 12016: 7 rings- shows how rise of technology makes people feel strongly towards the idea that they can get whatever they want with the digitalisation of services and goods)

Individualisation as entitlement to self-determination. Predicted rewards of modernity are not enough (and to an extent are no longer available).
The self is all that is left, paving the road to the internet into our everyday lives

However, this means we are facing an even more unstable reality.
Same day as Apple’s achievement, riots across London (3,000 arrested).