(Sumblog 13) Clash of civilizations

Samuel Huntington talked about the "clash of civilizations." This concept states that a lot of the conflict that goes on in societies across the world has to do with culture. Now, this clash with CULTURE does not mean that it is a clash of "boundaries" such as countries, states, or continents. There could be many cultures in a single country and that could in itself cause conflicts. This theory has been proven to be true in many ways. However, I see how this theory could have it's downsides.

This concept has the potential to divert our attention from the shared fundamental concerns of all states, such as strategic, economic and national interest. This common platform of understanding is lost and that can end up leading to a misunderstanding the "other".

What is dangerous about the theory is that it is self fulfilling. People who believe in this "clash" are bound to act in a hostile manner toward the perceived "other," which will essentially create the clash. The theory only provides ammunition to extremists on both sides who will create conflict rather than striving for cooperation and eliminating this clash. It encourages us to seek out our differences rather than our similarities.

Perhaps the real clash is between those who believe in the inevitability of dialogue and those who profess and act upon this idea of a  clash of civilizations. The sides in this clash are determined not by religion, culture, or civilization, but by moderation on one side and extremism on the other.

Giddens and Modernity (SumBlog 12)

During class we talked about modernity and Giddens view on it. I have found that what Anthony Giddens refers to as "radicalized modernity" in his work is often referred to as "postmodernity" by other theorists.

To me radicalized modernity is what is used to describe the current era of modernity which grew out of  economic, political, and social conditions of industrial modernity. Industrial modernity focused on order,  science, social control by institutions such as the state and family, and much more.
Radicalized modernity is  where we see the after-effects of industrial modernity. This increases consumption, the breakdown of the family and other socializing institutions, impersonal social contact, and issues of trust and risk. These all are issues that are relevant to Giddens' work.
So Giddens doesn't believe that we've necessarily gone beyond the era of modernity, which is what the prefix "post-" indicates in "postmodernity." Instead, he says that we are facing is a radicalized form of modernity. theorists that state we are living in postmodern times have failed to point out the precise content of what postmodernity entails. 

As we discussed in class, Giddens' idea of modernity leads to almost a snowball effect. No matter what we do, society will keep changing and we have to change with it.

Dorothy Smith: Standpoint Theory (Sumblog 11)

“It’s Only Me.” is an interesting article I found online This article refers to several children including an eleven year old boy from Higley, Arizona who threatened to kill the girl he liked and the boy who had kissed her. The boy later stated that he never meant to go through with it but felt like it was the only way he could get their attention. Another eleven year old boy from Phoenix, Arizona was arrested after he threatened to shoot a teacher's tape player and then the teacher. This was caused because the boy thought it would be the only way to get across to the teacher that he did not like the music she played. Elizabeth Bush was eighth-grader from Williamsport, Pennsylvania who wanted to grow up and become a human-rights activist or a nun. She ended up shooting the head cheerleader of her school in the school’s cafeteria. Elizabeth yelled, "No one thought I would go through with this," as she fired the gun. Nancy Gibbs  gave these examples of children in different age groups who felt the pressure to commit a school shooting. These children all had one thing in common, they felt as if they were not able to voice their opinion and that their opinion did not matter anyways. Gibbs noted that if each of these individuals had someone to talk to and if others were able to see things from the perspective of the children, many of these cases could have been prevented.

The article by Gibbs  provided a perfect example of Dorothy Smith’s standpoint theory. All of the examples provided were instances when the students felt like they had no say in either their school, friends group, or other aspects of their lives. The children felt as if they did not have much of a standpoint and that no one was viewing things from their perspective. Dorothy Smith felt as if the views of women were almost invisible and forgotten to the rest of society, much like these children felt like their views and ideas were invisible.

SumBlog 10 (Symbols)

Symbols serve to capture meaning--they stand for something else. For instance, if you were reading a fictional book and in the first line it mentioned that the male protagonist had "his trophy wife on his arm" what impressions would you form about him from that simple statement? Or if you saw a woman wearing a chardor or burka? Or if you saw a young black male wearing a gaudy gold necklace? Or a young Hispanic male with lots of tattoos? 



There are many symbols that we as society experience on a day to day basis. One very common symbol, especially in the United States of American is the idea of the cross. Alone this symbol does not have much meaning to it. The Christian religion puts a whole new meaning to this object and makes it sacred and no longer profane. 

The cross symbolizes the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and the idea of forgiving sins and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is one of the best known religious symbols of the Christian religion.This symbol is maintained by many churches these days. It is common to see a cross at the front of the church facing the pews or audience. This symbol has historically existed in many Christian churches throughout the world.

In the Paul Berger reading he talks about ideas that coincide with the idea of symbol and having a mundane object become sacred. He talked about how men together produce society and the ideas in it. These symbols are made by society as individuals having the same interpretation of an object.

Overall, symbols are prevalent in society, past and present. They make up many of our beliefs and interpretations. Symbols give meaning to mundane objects and portray them as being sacred in society in some way.

(SumBlog 9) Erving Goffman

 

I looked at Erving Goffman's The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life. It uses the imagery of the theater and acting to portray the importance of human social interaction. According to Goffman, social interaction may be likened to a theater. I also liked how he linked people in everyday life to actors on a stage, each playing a variety of roles. The audience consists of other individuals who observe the role-playing and react to the performances. In social interaction, like in theatrical performances, there is a front region where the actors are on stage in from of an audience. There is also a back region, or back stage, where individuals can be themselves and get rid of their role or identity that they play when they are in front of others. 


Some of the main aspects Goffman talked about in this anaolgy were:
Performance
Setting
Appearance
Manner
Front stage
Back stage
Off stage
  
I found his explaination of how society functions to be very intriguing. When  you look at concepts from  another perspective, you are able to see things at a whole new level. 

Double Consciousness (Sumblog 7)

W. E. B. Du Bois introduced the term "double consciousness" into the study of African American sociology. Double consciousness comes from African Americans viewing themselves, individually and as a group, through the eyes of the society they live in. Du Bois says it is always looking at one's self through the eyes of others.  



This produces what Du Bois calls a "twoness." As we discussed in class, these two views are often in conflict with one another, as the American view, in general, has basically dehumanized African Americans. They want to be both Negro and American. The question still remains however, if it is even possible for an African American to merge into society as both an American and as an African, without being held back or looked down upon.

The dilemma with the double consciousness can be solved. However, in order to allow Blacks to be fully American with all the same rights and benefits as any other American, and yet still be African, there needs to be a separation from the thinking that personality relies on genetics or biology. By realizing that everyone is innately human, the doors open up to appreciate the different cultural expressions of different people groups who have different experiences. This would allow African Americans to be able to become a part of society and not have that 'veil.'

Jane Addams: 4 Key Elements to Democratic Life (Sumblog 6)

Jane Addams put a big focus on democratic societies. She believed that a democratic society would be the most beneficial and provide for a happier life. A democratic society is not something that just happens without any effort. It is something that could be achieved through respect. She believed that there were four elements that would allow society to prosper and live a democratic life.


Addams believed there were four key elements people needed to live by in order to establish this kind of lifestyle. The first element states that no one group of people are more important than another. This means that everyone would have to be treated fairly and with equality.

The second element stated that all people are active agents. Active agents simply means active members of society. Everybody has the same consensus. It does not matter what their characteristics are, such as sex, sexual orientation, race, or class. There should not be any prejudice among society. Every person would have the ability to act. An example would be allowing everybody the right to vote.

The third element is that people seek opportunity for kindness. Addams believes people all have the drive to be happy and kind. It is society that makes us bad. People have natural tendency to be happy. She stated that the heart and core of humans is to be happy.

The last element she went over stated that personal safety of all members of a social democracy is tied to the personal safety of each. This states that personal safety ends up affecting all of society. It would end up decreasing the sense of security for society.

Overall, Jane Addams believed that in order to have a democratic society, individuals in the society were allowed certain rights and all led to one basic belief: respect. If people in society respected one another, it would be able to become a democratic society.

(Sum Blog 5) Religion and Capitalism

Max Weber believed there was a correlation between religion and capitalism. A correlation simply means that there is a relationship. Weber stated that he believes religion and capitalism are causal. He described capitalism as having ownership, smaller government, wealth and financial success, and the idea that 'time is money.' Weber believed there was a correlation between religion and capitalism especially when it came to the type of asceticism people lived. 

There are two types of asceticism: inter-worldly an outer-worldly.  Inter-worldly is when the main goal is to succeed during their lifetime. The measure of success is based on how much you earn and succeed.  Outer-worldly is when you look at what happens after you die. People in this category live simplistic lives and are not focused on the materialized world.

Max Weber then compared how the types of asceticism fit religion. He used Protestantism and Catholicism as examples. While looking over data he came to the conclusion that Protestants tend to be associated more with inner-worldly asceticism. The Protestant religion focused more so on predestination and the 'calling.' While comparing to Protestantism, Weber found that Catholics tend to be more outer-worldly than protestants.

Weber took this data concerning Protestants and Catholics and compared it to countries that focus on each religion. If his theory was correct and there was a correlation between capitalism and religion, the Protestant countries should have a more capitalistic society due to the individualistic beliefs they carry. On the other hand, a prominently Catholic country would have a less capitalistic society. 

Data has shown that overall, this theory tends to be correct. Many heavily Protestant countries are more capitalistic than Catholic countries.

(SumBlog 4) Three Forms of Authority

Max Weber distinguishes three types of authority that are present in society. These are traditional, rational, and charismatic.

 

Traditional authority is the belief that leaders have a traditional and legitimate right to exercise authority, where different traditional circumstances enable and legitimize those in command to exercise authority.

This traditional authority consisted of a type of patriarchal and feudalistic systems and societies. These systems are however dependent upon the followers' acceptance of this authority, and that the followers see this type of authority as legitimate.

Rational is the belief in the "legality" of formal rules and hierarchies.An example of this would be the law. This type of authority is often seen as legitimate in bureaucratic systems. People will find this type of authority legitimate, if the authority is distributed to leaders based on e.g. rationality and capability. Rational is also starting to replace traditional authority.

Charismatic authority rests on the belief that a heroic or exemplary character expresses issued by him or her. Charismatic leaders are often seen as legitimate in times of crisis or change when extraordinary leadership is called for, and when this extraordinary leadership is recognized in the specific authorial figure by followers.They tend to be good speakers and can gather large groups based on speeches. An example would be Martin Luther King Jr. and Gandhi. 

Overall, these types of society shape how people act and also the way people respond to certain issues.