Solving social problems was the topic of the document. It discussed several key sociological approaches to understanding social problems, including the functionalist, social conflict, and symbolic interaction approaches. It provided examples of how each approach defines and analyzes social problems differently. The document also examined how political ideologies and the structure of the political spectrum influence how social problems are constructed and solutions are defined.

1. solving social problems Daniel “Timo” Barajas Community College of Denver Society and Technology

2. References Sociology (with MySocLab Student Access Code Card), 13/E John J. Macionis, Kenyon College ISBN-10: 0205769098ISBN-13: 9780205769094 Publisher: PearsonCopyright: 2010Format: Kit/Package/ShrinkWrapPublished: 10/29/2009Status: Instock Suggested retail price: $156.00 Buy from myPearsonStore Customers outside the U.S., click here. Barajas Society and Technology 2

3. References Wild Knowledge Science, Language, and Social Life in a Fragile Environment Will Wright $25.00 paper ISBN: 0-8166-2051-2ISBN-13: 978-0-8166-2051-7 "Science is an incoherent form of knowledge, and, despite technical proficiency, it 'is conceptually wrong, wrong about nature, and wrong about knowledge' (p. 3). With this radical premise, Will Wright's intentions in this book are to challenge the validity of the so-called instrumental successes of scientific technologies, to demonstrate the incoherence and inadequacy of science, and to establish new criteria for evaluating the legitimacy of knowledge claims.." —Contemporary Sociology Barajas Society and Technology 3

4. References Political Ideologies: Their Origins And Impact (10th Edition).Using A Chronological Organization, Political Ideologise Explains The Evolving Of Political Thought Over The Past Three Centuries And Describes Political Ideolgoies In The Context Of The Social, Household, And Political Circumstances In Which They Developed. It Provides Students With A Complete Understanding Of Political Ideologies And How These Concepts Relate To Their Admit Lives. Manufacturer: Prentice HallSKU: 0136037186 Barajas Society and Technology 4

5. Seeing Patterns: The Sociological Perspective Sociology is the systematic study of human societies. Society is a term referring to people who live within a territory and share many patterns of behaviors. Culture refers to a way of life including widespread values, beliefs, and behavior. Barajas Society and Technology 5

6. Concept Web What is Sociology? Society and Technology Barajas 6

7. Life Chances Barajas Society and Technology 7 Max Weber’s term life chances refers to the extent to which individuals have access to important societal resources such as food, clothing, shelter, educational and health care. According to sociologists, more-affluent people typically have better life chances than the less-affluent because they have greater access to quality education, safe neighborhoods, high-quality nutrition and health care, police and private security protection, and an extensive array of other good s and services.

8. Wealth Barajas Society and Technology 8 Wealth is the value of all of a person’s or family’s economic assets, including income, personal property, and income-producing property. Prestige – the respect or regard with which a person or status position is regarded by others. Power – the ability of people or group[s to achieve their goals despite opposition from others.

9. Weber’s Multidimensional Approach Barajas Society and Technology 9

10. Life Chances Barajas Society and Technology 10 In contrast, persons with low- and poverty-level incomes tend to have limited access to these resources. Resources are anything valued in a society, ranging from money and property to medical care and education; they are considered to be scarce because of unequal distribution among social categories.

11. Defining Social Problems A social problem is a condition that undermines the well-being of some or all members of society is usually a matter of public controversy Determining social problems can be controversial subjective and objective realities may actually end up being quite different what people identify as the most serious social problems varies over time Barajas Society and Technology 11

12. Concept WebCulture, Society, and Social Change Society and Technology Barajas 12

13. Sociological theory Functional Approach Structural Approach Social Conflict Approach Symbolic Interaction Barajas Society and Technology 13

14. Concept Web (p. 104)Socialization Society and Technology Barajas 14

15. “The Map is Not the Territory” Barajas 15 praxis thinking about doing inner conversation Self reflexivity Ontology Society and Technology

16. What then is Reality? Most restrictively, those aspects of the physical universe that are directly or indirectly measurable. The term may be used to include constructs that are inferable or interpretable from logical induction or theoretical analysis, but not measurable in the above sense. Also used by many to include all that which forms an integral part of what an individual believes to be “real”. Barajas Society and Technology 16

17. Barajas Society and Technology 17 Practical Discursive Knowledge Embodied Knowledge

18. Subjectivity Barajas Society and Technology 18 The unique perspective each of us has on our own conscious experience. What we see, hear, feel, and think can be discussed with other people, but the actual experience of these things can never be shared in a manner resembling our own internal awareness of them. One of the difficult questions of consciousness is how to account for “qualia,” or the phenomenological percepts of the world.

19. Ways of Knowing Sense Experience (empiricism) – gathering knowledge by observing occurrences and organisms in the real world. Tenacity – “stubbornness” Authority – accept the word of a famous or respected figure without skepticism. Emotion – “gut feeling” that may cause us to believe more in one idea than in another. Barajas Society and Technology 19 Epistemology

20. Ways of Knowing Common Sense – sound practical judgment is based on individual experiences and perceptions, though, and is therefore not really “common” at all. Common sense is based on only one person’s experiences, it is limited to that person’s biases. Intuition – knowledge that seems to enter our consciousness without much voluntary effort. Barajas Society and Technology 20

21. Ways of Knowing Logic (rationalism) Barajas Society and Technology 21 Premise: All humans are mortal ; Premise: I am a human; Conclusion : Therefore, I must be mortal. Premise: No woman can count ; Premise: I am a woman; Conclusion : Therefore, I cannot count. Often, logical reasoning takes the form of a syllogism, which is a series of premises that lead to a conclusion. The logic in syllogism 2 is flawless, but the fact that the first premise is wrong ensures that the conclusion will also be wrong.

22. Ways of Knowing Science (objective) The scientific method of knowing is a combination of observation by sense experience plus reasoning by logic. Scientists start to evaluate new ideas by observing events directly These observations are considered to be objective, or unbiased, because they can be verified by others. If such replication does not produce similar results, then the new idea is not accepted. Barajas Society and Technology 22

23. Is Psychology Free of Value Judgments? Barajas Society and Technology 23 Value Judgment subjective judgment: a judgment of the worth, appropriateness, or importance of somebody or something made on the basis of personal beliefs, opinions, or prejudices rather than facts. Justification something that justifies: something, for example, a reason or circumstance, that justifies an action or attitude

24. The Structural-Functional Approach A theoretical framework that sees society as a system of many interrelated parts. Barajas Society and Technology 24

25. The Structural-Functional Approach A theoretical framework that sees society as a system of many interrelated parts Social Institutions: the main parts of this system (organized to meet basic human needs) education family economics politics religion Barajas Society and Technology 25

26. The Structural-Functional Approach Early Functionalism: Problems as Social Pathology The “Chicago School”: Problems as Disorganization More Recent Functionalism: Problems as Dysfunctions Manifest versus Latent Functions Eufunctions versus Dysfunctions Barajas Society and Technology 26

27. The Social Conflict Approach A theoretical framework that sees society as divided by inequality and conflict Social problems arise because our society is divided into “haves” and “have nots” Barajas Society and Technology 27

28. The Social Conflict Approach Marxism: Problems and Class Conflict Capitalists Proletarians Multiculturalism: Problems of Racial and Ethnic Inequality Feminism: Problems and Gender Conflict Barajas Society and Technology 28

29. Society and Technology The Relationship Between Economic Structure and the Ideational Superstructure (Ideology) in Marxian Theory: Ideology and Exploitation Barajas 29

30. The Symbolic-Interaction Approach A theoretical framework that sees society as the product of individuals interacting with one another Barajas Society and Technology 30

31. The Symbolic-Interaction Approach Learning Theory: Problems and the Social Environment Labeling Theory: Problems and Social Definitions Barajas Society and Technology 31

32. Truth, Science, and Politics Max Weber’s “value-free” approach The “value commitment” approach Is “objective” research even possible? Barajas Society and Technology 32

33. Responding to Social Problems: Social Policy Social policy refers to formal strategies to affect how society operates. Barajas Society and Technology 33

34. Responding to Social Problems: Social Policy The evaluation of social policy: How is success defined? What are the costs? Whom should get the help? Barajas Society and Technology 34

35. Policy and Culture Social policy tends to be shaped by existing cultural values Barajas Society and Technology 35

36. Concept Web The Political Order Society and Technology Barajas 36

37. Policy and Politics Conservatives: seek to limit the scope of societal change (focus is on shortcomings of individuals, not society) Liberals: favor more sweeping change in society (see problems in the organization of society) Radicals: support policies that go beyond mere reform can be either ultra liberal or ultra conservative Barajas Society and Technology 37

38. The role of ideas in politics What people think and believe about society, power, rights, etc., determines their actions Everything has to pass through the mind of the individual before he or she acts How do the ideas and beliefs appear in our minds? Critical examination of reality – thinking for oneself Influence of others’ opinions – family, education, mass media, etc. Some forms of teaching imprison the mind Others liberate the mind, enabling it to think critically Subjugation by force is the crudest form of social control Mind control is a much more effective method But is it really effective? Barajas Society and Technology 38

39. main concepts about the role of ideas in politics: Political culture – the broad pattern of political orientations shared by a large group of people (a nation, a region, a class, an ethnic group) Political ideology – a system of political ideas, developed for the purposes of political action (governing a country, launching a social movement or a political party, organizing a revolution – or a counterrevolution, etc.) Barajas Society and Technology 39

40. What are political ideologies for? To provide people with programs of political action: to govern societies, or to struggle for change Both for integration and for conflict, you need an ideology – a coherent set of ideas for purposeful action The earliest ideologies were religions. Many of the earliest rulers in history were priests. In the Modern Age, political ideologies become increasingly secular (non-religious, some anti-religious), but religions continue to serve as important sources for ideologies to this day Examples: Christian democracy, Christian socialism, Protestant fundamentalism, Islamic radicalism Barajas Society and Technology 40

41. It is the very essence of political ideology to differ from another ideology on what to do with the status quo (the existing order of things): To keep it – or to change it. At the core of every political idea, every political action is a choice between YES and NO. Look at the work of the parliament… Or the UN… Or an election… The differences between ideologies are rooted in basic assumptions about: human nature – are humans naturally peaceful, cooperative, rational? individual and society: which interests come first? equality: how much social inequality is acceptable Barajas Society and Technology 41

42. Ideology vs. pragmatism Does too much ideology make you narrow-minded? Should one’s political beliefs be based on one ideology - be doctrinaire? Shouldn’t politicians be free to borrow ideas from different ideologies if they work better in a particular situation? At issue: orthodoxy vs. pluralism Orthodoxy (traditionalist, pre-modern view): the rulers should maintain one ideology as dominant – to foster unity and harmony in society. UNITY THROUGH UNIFORMITY Can work only: in traditional, pre-modern societies – or, in societies in transition to modernity, in periods of extreme crisis. Requires generally low educational levels Barajas Society and Technology 42

43. Pluralism (modern view associated with liberalism): the rulers allow different ideologies in society to compete. UNITY THROUGH TOLERATION OF DIFFERENCES “E pluribus unum” Works better in developed, modern and postmodern, complex societies with high educational levels Are there limits to toleration? Should some ideologies be banned? Is there such a thing as liberal orthodoxy? Barajas Society and Technology 43

44. The challenge of liberal-democratic politics To accept ideological pluralism as a normal condition of society - And try to maintain social unity through toleration of differences and management of conflict It is not always possible Some ideologies can coexist with each other Others are so strongly opposed to each other that they cannot be reconciled by means of compromise Or can they? Barajas Society and Technology 44

45. Political Spectrum: From Left to Right Political ideologies, through opposition, competition, fusion, mixing, etc. exist in constant interaction with each other Together, they form a political spectrum It is a useful tool of political analysis Barajas Society and Technology 45

46. The terms “Left” and “Right” originate from the seating of the members of the newly elected French Legislative Assembly in 1791 – during the French Revolution The Right: Supporters of the existing order, monarchists The Left: Advocates of radical change, republicans King Louis XVI Legislative Assembly Barajas Society and Technology 46

47. It was in the interests of the King to be able to manage the conflict between Left and Right – through centrist, pragmatic policies, borrowing ideas for state policy from both sides and trying to build a consensus It proved impossible. France experienced a revolution – a radical change of the political and social order But even then, there were people in the middle between the extremes Extremists vs. moderates In normal conditions, the political spectrum includes a range of ideological “colours” between the extremes Barajas Society and Technology 47

48. Table 1-2 Barajas Society and Technology 48

49. Politics: Constructing Problems and Defining Solutions The Political Spectrum: a continuum representing a range of political attitudes from “left” to “right” Social Issues: political debates involving moral judgments about how people should live Economic Issues: political debates about how a society should distribute material resources Barajas Society and Technology 49

50. Who Thinks What? Two good predictors of political attitudes are education and wealth – both of which are elements of social class The fact that social class affects social and economic attitudes differently means that most people have some combination of liberal and conservative attitudes Barajas Society and Technology 50

51. Far Left Centre- Left Centre Centre- Right Far Right Socialists Liberal Conservatives Ultraconservatives Communists Liberals Conservatives Fascists Radicals Reactionaries Political spectrum: the standard linear model Barajas Society and Technology 51

52. Ideas associated with different fields of political spectrum The Right: Conservatism – preserve the status quo, oppose change Reaction – throw back the forces of change, restore the old order Fascism – mobilize the nation for war, suppress pluralism to achieve unity through orthodoxy The Left: Radicalism – go to the roots of problems, change the foundations of society Socialism – advance the interests of society against the interests of elites Communism – abolish private property to achieve equality and social harmony, suppress pluralism to achieve unity through orthodoxy The Centre: Liberalism – expand the scope of freedom, accept change, assert the primacy of individual rights, develop market economy and political pluralism Borrow ideas from Left and Right Barajas Society and Technology 52

53. So, there are several dimensions here: Change or preservation of status quo Freedom or order Pluralism or orthodoxy Equality or inequality Market or state Ideas interact, travel across the spectrum… Too many possible combinations… How can all these complexities be taken into account? Barajas Society and Technology 53

54. Political spectrum: a 2-dimensional model Market Welfare state liberalism Neoliberalism Market authoritarianism Social democracy Market socialism Right Left Traditional conservatism State socialism (Communism) Fascism State Barajas Society and Technology 54

55. You may use 3 or more dimensions… Market Inequality Authoritarianism Democracy Equality State Barajas Society and Technology 55

56. the market, trade Political spectrum: the circular model, based on Clinton Rossiter CONSERVATISM LIBERALISM THE LEFT: change, freedom, equality, labor THE RIGHT: status quo, order, inequality, capital FASCISM COMMUNISM Barajas Society and Technology 56