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Classical Social Theory

Classical Social Theory. Social Theory & Modernity. Emergence of social theory and of modernity are concurrent processes Social theory ( scientific way of thinking about society ) is a product of modernity [ this is in itself a theory , proposed in Harrington‘s chapter 1]

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Classical Social Theory

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  1. Classical Social Theory

  2. Social Theory & Modernity • Emergenceofsocialtheoryandofmodernityareconcurrentprocesses • Socialtheory (scientificwayofthinkingaboutsociety) is a productofmodernity [thisis in itself a theory, proposed in Harrington‘schapter 1] • Whyshouldthisbethecase? • If so, then a lookattheseconditionsoforiginmighthelpto understand whatsocialtheoryis all about

  3. Modernity • A contestedconcept • Historical period: 15th, 16th, 17th or 18th century - ???? • Attitude to time: criticalreflection/distancefrompast (ashistory) + activelyshapingthecollectivefuture • Ideaofprogress (<-> cycle) • Oppositeof „tradition“ • Tradition: acceptingthewaythingshavealwaysbeen, followingprecedentandexampleofelders, priests, moralleaders • Modernity & traditioncanexist in a societyatthe same time • Parsons: traditional s. – ascription, modern s. - achievement

  4. Postmodernity • Period after modernity (roughly since mid/late 20th century • Time of constant change • No universal laws possible • Idea of progress gets blurred • No linearity of thought, some even claim no truth, no right or wrong, nothing moral or immoral • Everything is relative, flexible etc. • Idea of Postmodernity is highly contested

  5. Dimension of Modernity • Cultural Modernity • Political Modernity • Socio-Economic Modernity

  6. Cultural Modernity • Rise of natural science and mathematics • There are laws of nature to be „observed“ and „experienced“ • Galileo, Newton, Descartes, Darwin • rational thinking vs dogma • Secularization: intellectual authority of religion has been replaced by science • Enlightenment, the Age of Reason

  7. Political Modernity • Protestantism: rejection of authority of the Catholic Church in Rome • Rise of the nation-state (sovereignty) • Human rights (natural law) • Popular sovereignty • Representative democracy • Locke, Kant, Rousseau • American Revolution, French Revolution

  8. Socio-economic Modernity • Enclosures, property law, trading companies, banks (capital accumulation) • Industrialization • Urbanization • Modern Capitalism

  9. Theorizing Modernity • Cultural, politicalandsocio-economicdimensionarestrongly inter-related • But howexactly? • Whatisdrivingwhat? • Howcanweexplainthedramaticcultural, politicalandsocio-economicchangesofthat time? • This was thequestionoftheearlysociologistsandclassicalsocialtheory

  10. Some answers (in a nutshell) • Political Economy: Adam Smith • Liberalism: J.S. Mill, Alexis de Toqueville • Positivism: Auguste Comte • Marxism • Elite Theories: Mosca, Pareto, Michels

  11. Political Economy: Adam Smith • The Wealth of Nations 1776 • Universal laws of economic behaviour • Market theory: price = demand & supply • Individual self-interest -> collective good • „Hidden hand“ of the market (Yet, Smith knew that the state is needed)

  12. Liberalism: Alexis de Tocqueville • Liberalism: John Locke, John Stuart Mill, Alexis de Tocqueville • Progress = freedomtoownpropertyandtotrade, religioustolerance, constitutionallawandrepresentativedemocracy, yet limited government • Negative conceptoffreedom: freedomfromintervention • Tocqueville / Democracy in America 1835 • Importanceofcivilsociety (mediatingbetweenlaw/stateandself-interestedindividuals • Voluntaryassociationswithroots in protestantsectsof original settlers: individualism + egalitarianism

  13. Positivism: Auguste Comte • Knowledge arises from empirical observation not metaphysical preconceptions • Social science should follow the natural sciences (this leads to social progress) • Law of 3 stages of integration (theological, metaphysical, rational) • Teleological view of history

  14. Marxism • Historical materialism • History: dialecticalprocessofclassstrugglesbetweenthosewhoownthemeansofproductionandthosewhodon‘t • Economicbaseisdeterminingsocial/cultural/politicalsuperstructure • Marx takespart in classstruggle (takingsides, changingtheworld) • Yet: analysisofcapitalism (Das Kapital, 1867) • deterministic

  15. Elite Theories: Mosca, Pareto, Michels • AgainstLiberalismandMarxism • Liberal Democracy: only formal • Yet: socialism not possible • Focus on thesocial/politicalelite • Elite, „Ruling Class“ (Mosca), is power seeking • Iron RuleofOligarchy (even in socialistmovements/parties) Robert Michels • Pessimism • Neitherinstitutions, noreconomicstructuresdetermineoutcomes but elites • Leads to Rational Choice, actor-centredapproaches

  16. These classical social theories are not „state of the art“ anymore, some would say they are outdated, did not stand the test of time (have been falsified by empirical evidence) • However, many current social theories draw upon these thinkers, have adapted , refined or advanced some of their central arguments

  17. Modernisation Theoryca. 1950s USA • non modern societies (non-Western) seen as not-yet-modern • Unilinear course through which all societies pass (towards modernity) • All societies will/should eventually follow the Western model • Linearity in social development (increasing differentiation of social, economic and political system)

  18. Group Work • Have a critical look at the central arguments of: • Liberalism • Marxism • Elite Theories and argue against them

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