Review

1. Review • Sociological theory aims to highlight ways in which reality is socially structured by norms, power, and historical process • Sociologists approach the study of organizations in 2 basic ways: • From a macro societal perspective • From an organizational level perspective • From a Macro Societal Perspective: • Organizations are a key expression of the development of Western Capitalism (serve societal needs) • From an Organizational Level perspective: • Organizations are adaptive systems that often aim to be efficient, yet may be fraught with conflict

2. Review • Weber is considered one of the first sociological theorists • Capitalism is a system of domination that was importantly shaped by the development of Calvinistic ideas • Highlighted how rational bureaucracy was a key development in the shift from feudalism to capitalism • Bureaucracy was dramatically efficient, but also devalued humanity

3. Going Forward • Over the next 3 weeks, we will: • Discuss two other key sociological theorists—Emile Durkheim & Karl Marx • Will develop an understanding of two key sociological theories—functionalism and conflict theory • Will focus on issues having to do with stratification (or inequality)—One of the major themes of sociology • After the Prelim: • Weeks 7-12 will focus on the internal dynamics of organizations from a sociological perspective • Weeks 13-14 will then move back up to the societal level of analysis, focusing on larger questions about organizations, markets and society

4. Overview:Functional & Conflict Theories • While both of these theories are discussed in ch. 9 in the Thomson reader with regard to stratification, they are general theories that offer competing approaches to understanding the social world • Functional theories emphasize consensus, stability and order • Conflict theories emphasize instability and social change • PUNCHLINE: Neither of these theories explains everything—there are elements of truth in both

5. Overview:Functional & Conflict Theories • Emile Durkheim is often associated with functional theorizing, while Karl Marx is often discussed as a key conflict theorist • We will next discuss Durkheim and functional theory and leave Marx and conflict theory for next time

6. Durkheim • Emile Durkheim (1858-1917)—leading French intellectual and one of the founders of sociology • Like Weber, he directed a great deal of effort towards understanding the major societal transformation from feudalism to capitalism • Instead of seeing this as a shift from one system of domination to another, however, Durkheim saw it as a shift from one moral order to another—from mechanical solidarity to organic solidarity

7. Durkheim Cont’d • Mechanical Solidarity: • Traditional social order informed by kin relations and strong local community norms reinforced by religious beliefs • Organic Solidarity: • More individualistic • Social order is no longer maintained by community norms and religious beliefs • But, a new kind of moral order emerges based on the interconnectedness of individuals through contracts, social relationships and the division of labor

8. Durkheim Cont’d • Specifically, Durkheim focused his attention on the growing Division of Labor (1893) • The division of labor involves the increasing specialization of occupational functions • Initially, the butcher, the baker and the candlestick maker • Over time, within large industrial bureaucracies (managers, production workers, engineers, etc.) • Durkheim assumed occupational specialization was leading to new forms of cooperation • The general notion is that people would differ based on specific talents, skills and attitudes and would need to rely on each other to survive

9. Durkheim/Functional Theory • Society is viewed as an organism that is able to functionally adapt • Functional = Useful • Functional theory: The existence of social phenomenon can be explained with reference to the functions they perform • in economics, the emergence of new industries or technologies occur because they are efficient • In sociology, garbagemen exist because they serve an important societal function—(e.g. preventing disease)

10. Candide • Published by Voltaire in 1759 • Dr. Pangloss, who taught metaphysico-theologico-cosmolo-boobology, exemplifies an extreme version of functionalism • No matter what violence was experienced, Dr. Pangloss would justify it by saying that “it is the best of all possible worlds” and so must be good • This is exemplified in Pangloss’s affirmative response to Candide who asked (p. 115) “when you were being hanged, beaten black & blue…did you still think that everything is for the best in this world?

11. The Limits of Functionalism • In sum, functional theory tends to downplay the role of power in society • Durkheim tends to ignore the role of power in defining societal norms and how elites in society work to maintain norms and define deviance to keep their position in society • Functional theorizing is abstract and provides little sense of agency or how things can be otherwise • As Candide notes at the end, “but we must cultivate our garden”

12. Functionalism and Organizations • What are the societal functions that organizations serve? • Political parties—democracy • Tobacco companies—demand for smokes • If organizations exist to fulfill important needs of society, does that mean that they are ‘good’?