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.