COURSE MANUAL

Types of Sociological
Theory
SOC 302

University of Ibadan Distance Learning Centre

Open and Distance Learning Course Series Development

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Copyright © 2016 by Distance Learning Centre, University of Ibadan, Ibadan.

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ISBN 978-021-519-0

General Editor: Prof. Bayo Okunade

University of Ibadan Distance Learning Centre

University of Ibadan,
Nigeria
Telex: 31128NG
Tel: +234 (80775935727)
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.dlc.ui.edu.ng

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Vice-Chancellor’s Message
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Education in Nigeria and beyond. The Distance Learning mode to which we are
committed is providing access to many deserving Nigerians in having access to higher
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It is our hope that you will put these course materials to the best use.

Prof. Abel Idowu Olayinka

Vice-Chancellor

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Foreword
As part of its vision of providing education for “Liberty and Development” for
Nigerians and the International Community, the University of Ibadan, Distance Learning
Centre has recently embarked on a vigorous repositioning agenda which aimed at
embracing a holistic and all encompassing approach to the delivery of its Open Distance
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In view of the above, we are vigorously pursuing as a matter of priority, the provision of
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The development of the materials which is on-going also had input from experienced
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It is important to note that, for a distance learner to excel there is the need to source and
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Apart from the responsibility for you to read this course material with others, you are also
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Your academic advisors will assist you using convenient technology including Google
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The implication of the above is that, a distance learner has a responsibility to develop
requisite distance learning culture which includes diligent and disciplined self-study,
seeking available administrative and academic support and acquisition of basic

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information technology skills. This is why you are encouraged to develop your computer
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In conclusion, it is envisaged that the course materials would also be useful for the
regular students of tertiary institutions in Nigeria who are faced with a dearth of high
quality textbooks. We are therefore, delighted to present these titles to both our distance
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materials will be an invaluable resource to all.
We would like to thank all our authors, reviewers and production staff for the high
quality of work.

Best wishes.

Professor Bayo Okunade

Director

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Course Development Team
Content Authoring Prof. Akinpelu O. Olutayo
Content Editor Prof. Remi Raji-Oyelade
Production Editor Ogundele Olumuyiwa Caleb
Learning Design/Assessment Authoring SchulPortal Technology
Managing Editor Ogunmefun Oladele Abiodun
General Editor Prof. Bayo Okunade

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Study Session 1 Understanding Sociological Theory

Introduction
Sociological theory simply refers to a complex theoretical and methodological framework that
facilitates organizing knowledge that is used to analyze the social world. It is recognized that
sociological theory is constantly evolving – it involves analysis at a macro-level, which focuses
on social structures shaping the society; and analysis at a micro-level which is usually a more
detailed study on social interaction taking place in specific situations.
This Study Session will focus on Understanding Sociological Theory. You will learn the
Meaning of Sociological Theory, Accounts of the Importance of Sociological Theory, and
Contributions of Early Sociologists to Sociological Theory. Also Basic Assumption in
Sociological Theory will also be treated.

Learning Outcomes for Study Session 1

When you have study this session, you should be able to:
1.1 Explain the Origin and Meaning of Sociological Theory (SAQ 1.1)
1.2 Discuss Sociologists to Sociological Theory (SAQ 1.2)
1.3 Discuss the Basic Assumption in Sociological Theory (1.3)

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1.1 Origin and Meaning of Sociological Theory
To a large extent, the central theories and research interests of Sociology represent both social
and intellectual conditions that led to the emergence of the discipline of Sociology in nineteenth-
century Europe.

Figure 1.1: Sociology Chain

Source: Distance Learning Centre University of Ibadan

The tremendous political and economic changes that swept Europe at the time brought about
disturbing impacts to the sustainability and legitimacy of all social institutions in the European
society. Thus, what became needful was a complex set of theoretical and methodological
framework that would translate these disturbing impacts into new perspectives where they could
be analyzed in a systematic fashion as found in the natural sciences.
Box 1.1. Emerging of Sociology
“Sociology as a discipline emerged with such perspectives, and this consequently is the main
contribution made by the founding fathers of the discipline, such as Comte, Spencer, Marx,
Weber, Simmel and Durkheim”.

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Figure 1.2: Sociology Body
Source: www.indiana.edu/~soc/img/Sociology_word_cloud_1.jpg

Auguste Comte, one of the founding fathers of the discipline who gave Sociology its name and
much of its vision for society, emphasized the contribution that Sociology could make to the
development of a new social order. He holds that the purpose of Sociology is the uncovering of
laws of social order and social progress.
He demonstrated that with sociological theories (perspectives), Sociology would avoid the
fragmentation of social reality perpetrated by other disciplines; thus, resolving the social crisis
caused by the conflict between rival principles of explanation.
Like Comte, Herbert Spencer set out by bringing together the various elements of social order
and process into a general model. He made imaginative use of the organic analogy in analyzing
the nature of social interrelationships; and he also employed the theory of evolution in explaining
the course of social development.
For Karl Marx, he also treated themes of social interrelationships and development; however, he
went further to prescribe some definite causal relationships between social structures. The mode
of production of material-life is seen as a determinant of social, political and even spiritual
processes of life.
On his part, Max Weber did not provide a model of whole social systems; instead, he provided
models (ideal types) of parts of such systems. His concept of bureaucratic rationalization for
instance, showed trends which characterized the modern world.

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Figure 1.3: Auguste Comte, one of the Founding Fathers Sociology
Source: www.1bp.blogspot.com/Auguste-Comte-1850.jpg
Georg Simmel’s Sociology is closely related to that of Weber, as he attempts to relate forms of
social interaction to larger social structures. He showed the difference of the social interaction in
small-scale communities with that which occur in cities and towns.
Almost all the early sociologists were interested in defining the distinctive character of social
phenomena. More so, Emile Durkheim emphasized on the constraints which society exercises on
the individual, and the pathological consequences which result when such constraints are
removed. He analyzed the social causes of suicide and rejects explanations which viewed it as a
purely individual phenomenon.

Sociology as a discipline emerged with such perspectives, according to the study; the
founding fathers of the discipline are?

Comte, Spencer, Marx, Weber, Simmel and Durkheim

1.2 Sociological Theory and Social Theory

New subcategories had been suggested for the field of sociological theory, as it is often argued
that the field is very broad. Kenneth Allan had proposed the terms sociological theory and social
theory. Social theory, according to him, focuses on commentary and critique of modern society
rather than explanation of what is happening in modern society.

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Box 1.2. Prominent Social Theorists Scholars
Prominent social theorists include scholars like: Jurgen Habermas, Pierre Bourdieu, Anthony
Giddens, Erving Goffman, Michel Foucault, Jeffrey Alexander, Dorathy Smith and Jacques
Derrida. It is worthy to note that these authors' theories are very different from each other. Most
of the scholars here were in fact very empirical in their studies.

Figure 1.4: The Tripartite Society

Source: Distance Learning Centre, University of Ibadan

In contrast, sociological theory is focused on an attempt to create abstract and testable

propositions about society. It primarily relies on the scientific method, which aims for
objectivity, and attempts to avoid passing value judgments.
Social theory is often more subjective, and is much more likely to use the language of values and
judgment: referring to the concepts of ‘good’ or ‘bad’. Prominent sociological theorists include:
Talcott Parsons, Robert K. Merton, Randall Collins, James Samuel Coleman, Peter Blau,
Immanuel Wallerstein, George Homans, Jonathan H. Turner, and so on. Interestingly, there are
prominent scholars who could be described as being in between social and sociological theories,
these include: Harold Garfinkel, Herbert Blumer, and Claude Levi-Strauss.

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Prominent sociological theorists include______________?

Talcott Parsons, Robert K. Merton, Randall Collins, James Samuel Coleman, Peter Blau,
Immanuel Wallerstein, George Homans, Jonathan H. Turner, and so on

1.3 Basic Assumption in Sociological Theory

A theory broadly speaking refers to a statement as to how and why particular facts are related. C.
Wright Mill’s theory of the sociological imagination for instance, demonstrates how personal
issues could become public issues. When theories are created or constructed by sociologists,
importantly, two basic questions usually arise.
Box 1.3. Two Basic Questions When Theories Are Created
“The first question has to do with what the sociologists wants to study (for instance crime,
poverty, unemployment, and so on); and the second question has to do with how the facts of this
study will be.”

Sociological theory therefore helps in allowing interrelated ideas to flow together in ways that
lead to a systematic understanding of the social world. This understanding of the social world
would therefore form the basis for making predictions about the future of the social world.
Although not all of the theories in reality fully support this rendition.
The basic assumptions of sociological analysis reside in the Sociology’s most fundamental
concepts ‘society’ and ‘culture’. The basic assumption of sociological theory therefore is the fact
that humans are shaped and influenced by their groups and group heritage.
Accordingly, even if culture and society are human being’s creations, it is believed that both
culture and society have their own lives and histories. Thus, both culture and society are seen, in
sociological analysis, as having a life apart from the people who create, embody and enact them.
The concepts of culture and society are tacitly predicted on the assumption that humans have
created a social world from which they have been alienated.

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The basic assumptions of sociological analysis reside in the Sociology’s most
fundamental concepts ‘society’ and ‘culture’. True or False?

Your answer should be “True”

Summary of Study Session 1

In Study Session 1, you have learnt that:
1. Sociological theory had been defined in this study as a complex theoretical and
methodological framework that facilitates organizing knowledge that is used to analyze
and explain the social world.
2. It was also conceived as involving analysis at a macro-level, which focuses on social
structures shaping the society; and analysis at a micro-level which is usually a more
detailed study on social interaction taking place in specific situations.
3. The emergence of sociological theory was also discussed with emphasis on the fact that
to a large extent, the central theories and research interests of Sociology represent both
social and intellectual conditions that led to the emergence of sociological theory in
nineteenth-century Europe.
4. The tremendous political and economic changes that swept Europe at the time brought
about disturbing impacts to the sustainability and legitimacy of all social institutions in
the European society.
5. What became needful was a complex set of theoretical and methodological framework
that would translate these disturbing impacts into new perspectives where they could be
analyzed and explained in a systematic fashion as found in the natural sciences.
6. The basic assumption of sociological analysis was highlighted as residing in the
discipline’s most fundamental concepts ‘society’ and ‘culture’.
7. The basic assumption of sociological theory was revealed as the fact that humans are
shaped and influenced by their groups and group heritage.
8. Both culture and society are seen, in sociological analysis, as having a life apart from the
people who create, embody and enact them.

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9. Accordingly, social theory is said to focus on commentary and critique of modern society
rather than explanation of modern society.
10. Whilst sociological theory is focused on an attempt to create abstract and testable
propositions about society.
Self-Assessment Questions (SAQs) for Study Session 1

Now that you have completed this study session, you can assess how well you have achieved its
Learning outcomes by answering the following questions. Write your answers in your study
Diary and discuss them with your Tutor at the next! Support meeting. You can check your
answers with the Notes on the Self-Assessment questions at the end of this Module.

SAQ 1.1 (Tests Learning Outcomes 1.1)

Georg Simmel’s Sociology shows that _______?

SAQ 1.2 (Tests Learning Outcomes 1.2)

According to Kenneth Allan, sociological theory and social theory focuses on what?

SAQ 1.3 (Tests Learning Outcomes 1.3)

When theories are created or constructed by sociologists, importantly, two basic questions
usually arise, state them

SAQ 1.4 (Tests Learning Outcomes 1.4)

Explain Mixed Economic System and give examples of the countries that practice it

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Study Session 2 Central Problem of Sociological Theory

Introduction
It is possible to make some general observations about the problem areas of interaction in any
society. The central problem of sociological theory involves a situation of action and interaction.
Kingsley Davis for instance in his work, Human Society, showed that the problem of the
integration of systems of social action that forms the crux of sociological theorizing is best
explained at two levels.
First, the role of technical and economic norms in bringing system and order into the unit acts
performed by a particular individual, and secondly the problems involved in the relationship of
the unit acts or chains of unit acts of more than one individual. However, it is the latter analysis
which concerns us in this lecture and which is particularly important to the elaboration of a
formal picture of any social system
This Study Session will focus on Central Problem of Sociological Theory. You will learn the
Problem of Economic Order, and the Problem of Legitimacy.

Learning Outcomes for Study Session 1

When you have study this session, you should be able to:
2.1 Explain the Problem of Economic Order (SAQ 2.1)
2.2 Discuss the Problem of Legitimacy (SAQ 2.2)

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2.1 The Problem of Economic Order
The first problem which sociological theory attempts explanation is the problem of economic
order between individuals. This arises from the fact that the supply of opportunities and
resources which represent means in the action plans of separate individuals is inherently limited.
Hence, there is necessarily a social problem of allocation of these scarce opportunities and
resources to alternative uses and to different individuals.
In other words some sort of property system is expected to evolve in any working social system.
Nonetheless, this does not, in any way, settle questions about the necessity of any particular type
of property system and it should not be thought that it contributes anything to the great debate
about the inevitability of private property which has played a great part in the history of
sociological research and theory.
A basic assumption which underlies analysis here is the assumption that every individual will not
automatically accept the property system which exists. The reality is that once there is a
dominant pattern of motivation in the social system that pattern of motivation implies that there
will be some attempt to provide systematically for the allocation of scarce goods between
alternative uses.
When participants in the social system do not accept the property system as morally binding on
them, Kingsley Davies argued that they may clearly resort to fraud or force. Davis sees this
possibility not merely as one which may occur in some cases but as a normal feature of all social
systems. Hence, he goes on to argue that the property system must be backed by political
institutions, that is, institutions which have the task of allocating, not only facilities for social
action, but the right to use power to compel other individuals to act in expected ways.
The first problem which sociological theory attempts explanation is __________?
The problem of economic order between individuals

2.2 The Problem of Legitimacy

This presupposes the notion of the right to use power, which connotes the conception of rights or
'legitimacy', and this, of course, is another problem area of social systems to which Davis draws
attention. According to him, in a stable social system, some set of ultimate values is necessary, in
terms of which certain actions and the use of power in support of these actions can be shown to
be legitimate.

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Individuals in society who always support that basic patterns of action should be encouraged
would always ensure that a set of ultimate values to legitimate the use of power in support of
certain actions and a certain system of allocation of resources is enthroned.
At this point, Davis identified an important problem. This is that the ultimate values are not
necessarily accepted for their own sake. They are too far removed from the point of giving real
satisfaction and rewards. Instead of being accepted for their own sake, these ultimate values are
often bound in with the beliefs of individuals about non-empirical entities and the sorts of actions
which are required in relation to these entities.
In other words, behaviour in conformity with the needs of the interaction system is accepted not
because it is perceived to be in conformity with the system but because it happens to be in
consonance with the behaviour which is ordered by religious beliefs and the ritual rules of the
society. Hence, the non-rational unit acts which ordinarily ought to have influence at the very
base of a sociological model are shown to have a function at its apex.
It can be seen that Davis' position on this matter is very uncertain. It can be easily accepted that
any interaction system would have problems regarding economic allocation, power, and the
development of an ultimate value system. It is assumed that members of society would easily
accept the existing interaction system that exists before. However, it is less obvious that religious
belief and ritual are assumed as the ultimate value system.
Although it has been acknowledged that some means have potentials of inculcating ultimate
value attitudes in members of society, but there is no necessary reason why this means should be
religious belief and ritual; as religious belief and ritual might have a quite independent role
within the system.
The role of religion in social systems is recognized as one of the most perplexing problems in
sociological theory. Davis, Emile Durkheim, sees religion as being the means whereby ultimate
values are established and reinforced. As in the case of Durkheim, it is worthy to know whether
the means that religion is explained is in terms of the ultimate values of the social system
reinforcing and explaining religion or it is in terms of religion establishing and explaining the
social system.
The work of Parsons and Davis is believed to take the latter view, though it is not explicit. But
there is the alternative view expounded by Marx for instance, when he observed that 'the secret
of the Holy Family must be found in the earthly family'. This no doubt creates a very practical

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problem in sociological analysis. It is the problem of how to treat the non-rational unit acts at the
base of a sociological model.
The question may now arise, is it the task of the sociologist to seek to explain these non-rational
unit acts by showing their relation to unit acts of a rational kind through the mediation of the
institutions of control or are they to be accepted as separate elements in the social system? This
is still in fact regarded as an unresolved problem of sociological theory.
In sociological analysis, it is inappropriate to say that the non-rational must be reduced to the
rational, as there are still non-rational acts which defy explanation in the rational sense. It is, of
course, the duty of the sociologist to show such relationships and dependencies as can be shown.
However, the sociologist must be aware that this cannot be declared in advance that it will be
possible to do so in all cases. To some extent, it is believed that some non-rational actions are
irreducible to rational actions.
The role of religion in social systems is recognized as what?
As one of the most perplexing problems in sociological theory

Summary of Study Session 2

In Study Session 2, you have learnt that:
1. It was highlighted that Kingsley Davis for instance in his work, Human Society, showed
that the problem of the integration of systems of social action that forms the crux of
sociological theorizing is best explained at two levels.
2. First, the role of technical and economic norms in bringing system and order into the unit
acts performed by a particular individual, and secondly the problems involved in the
relationship of the unit acts or chains of unit acts of more than one individual.
3. Individuals in society would always support certain actions and system of allocation of
resources in society

Self-Assessment Questions (SAQs) for Study Session 2

Now that you have completed this study session, you can assess how well you have achieved its
Learning outcomes by answering the following questions. Write your answers in your study

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Diary and discuss them with your Tutor at the next! Support meeting. You can check your
answers with the Notes on the Self-Assessment questions at the end of this Module.

SAQ 2.1 (Tests Learning Outcomes 2.1)

What was Kingsley Davies position when participants in the social system do not accept the
property system as morally binding on them?

SAQ 2.2 (Tests Learning Outcomes 2.2)

When Marx observed that 'the secret of the Holy Family must be found in the earthly family'.
This no doubt creates a very practical problem in sociological analysis. It is the problem of what?

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Study Session 3 Types of Sociological Theory

Introduction
As stated earlier, sociological theories or perspectives are complex theoretical and
methodological frameworks, used to analyze and explain objects of social reality. These also
help in facilitating and organizing sociological knowledge.
A unique character of sociological theory is that it is constantly evolving; therefore it can never
be presumed to be complete. Sociological theory is usually involved with analysis at a macro-
level, which focuses on social structures shaping the society or at a micro-level which is a close-
up study on social interaction that take place in specific situations.
This Study Session will focus on Central Problem of Sociological Theory. You will learn the
Problem of Economic Order, and the Problem of Legitimacy.

Learning Outcomes for Study Session 3

When you have study this session, you should be able to:
3.1 Describe Classical/traditional Sociological Theories (SAQ 3.1)
3.2 Discuss the Contemporary/Modern Sociological Theories (SAQ 3.2)

3.1 Classical/Traditional Sociological Theories

Sociological theories are broadly classified into: classical or traditional theories (for instance:
the work of Karl Marx and Max Weber) and contemporary or modern theories. Another
classification of sociological theory is based on grand theories and theories of everyday life.

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Figure 3.1: Social System and Ecosystem
Source: Distance Learning Centre University of Ibadan

Grand theories attempt to analyze society as a whole – that is to explain the structure of the
social-system and the processes of change that produce what becomes human history. Theories
of everyday life on the other hand, mostly focus on mundane human behaviour in attempt to
explain individual action and interaction between individuals, as well as beliefs, attitudes, and
values within the context of groups and the broader social system.

Figure 3.2: Structural Functionalism Theory

Source: Distance Learning Centre University of Ibadan

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This theoretical approach is concerned with both social structure and social functions.
Functionalism analyzes society as a whole in terms of the function of its constituent part of
society.
Some prominent sociologists associated with this approach include Auguste Comte, Emile
Durkheim, Herbert Spencer, Talcott Parsons, and Robert K. Merton. Herbert Spencer for
example, demonstrated that the different parts that represent or make up society are best known
as ‘organs’ that work toward the proper functioning of the entire ‘body’ as a whole.
This is an analogy of how the different organs of the human body work to ensure the functioning
and survival of the entire body. A dominant criticism of this theoretical approach is that it does
not give regards to the inequalities that exist within society, which give rise to tension and
conflict in society.
Also, the theory had been blamed for being politically conservative. Hence, the social conflict
theory has emerged to correct the inadequacies of structural functionalism.

Some prominent sociologists demonstrated that the different parts that represent or make
up society are best known as ‘organs’ what does it do?
Organs work toward the proper functioning of the entire ‘body’ as a whole.

Figure 3.3: Social Conflict Theory

Source: Distance Learning Centre University of Ibadan

The theory views social conflict as the struggle between segments of society over valued
resources. This conflict is usually between the capitalists, these are people who own and operate
factories and other businesses in pursuit of profits and the proletarians. Proletarians are people
who sell their labour for wages. Karl Marx is regarded as the father of the social conflict theory,
which is a component of the four major paradigms of Sociology.

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Other important sociologists associated with this theory include Harriet Martineau, Jane Addams
and W.E.B. Du Bois. This sociological perspective is not concerned with the manner in which
social structures help society to operate, but instead, the theory is more concerned how ‘social
patterns’ can cause some people in society to be dominant, and others to be oppressed.
Critics of the social conflict theory argue that the theory undermines shared values among
members of society and does not explain how members of society rely on each other in order to
help unify the society.

Figure 3.4: Symbolic Interactionism Theory

Source: Distance Learning Centre University of Ibadan

This approach sees people interacting in countless settings using symbolic communications.
Therefore, society is a complex, ever-changing mixture of subjective meanings. Critics of this
theoretical approach argue that the theory is only concerned with what is happening in one
particular social situation, and disregards the effects that culture, race or gender for instance, may
have on the people in that situation. Some important sociologists associated with this theoretical
approach include Max Weber, George Herbert Mead, Erving Goffman, Peter Blau and George
Homans.

Critics of the social conflict theory argue that ______?

The theory undermines shared values among members of society and does not explain
how members of society rely on each other in order to help unify the society

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3.2 Contemporary/Modern Sociological Theories

Figure 3.5: Feminism Theory

Source: Distance Learning Centre University of Ibadan

Feminism broadly is described as a collection of movements aimed at defining, establishing, and

defending equal political, economic, and social rights for women. A feminist is considered as
someone who is in support of social equality for men and women. Examples of feminists are
Harriet Martineau and Jane Addams.
Table 3.1: Basic Feminist Ideas
1 Striving to increase equity between men and female in the society.
2 The breaking of limits and bounds as regard choices that men and women can make in the
society.
3 Elimination of gender stratification. That is the removal of unfairly limitations initially
placed on peoples based on their gender.
4 Eradication of sexual violence against a particular sex.
5 Promotion of sexual freedom; as sexual groups are allowed more freedom.
Critics of this theoretical approach argue that feminism reduces social roles in society and has
failed to recognize the fact that there are both physiological and physical differences between
men and women think.
Striving to increase equity between men and female in the society is one if the Feminist
Ideas “True” or “False”
It is “True”

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Figure 3.6: Critical Theory and Ethnomethodology
Source: Distance Learning Centre, University of Ibadan
It is the study of how people attempt to make sense of their everyday surroundings. Harold
Garfinkel (1967) is regarded as the proponent of this approach.
This theory begins by pointing out that everyday human behaviour rests on a number of
assumptions. These assumptions are usually predictable due to the reaction of people or their
behaviour in everyday reality.

Figure 3.7: Network Theory and Phenomenology

Source: Distance Learning Centre, University of Ibadan
In essence, phenomenology is the belief that society is a human construction. The social
phenomenology of Alfred Schutz influenced the development of the social constructionism and
ethnomethodology. It was originally developed by Edmund Husserl.

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Figure 3.8: Rational Choice Theory and Dramaturgy
Source: Distance Learning Centre, University of Ibadan
They also involve props and certain settings. For instance, a teacher (the role), uses materials like
a blackboard (the prop), all the while using technical terms (the script), while in the classroom
(the setting). In addition, our performance is the ‘presentation of self’, which is how people
perceive us, based on the ways in which we portray ourselves. This process, also known as
impression management, begins with the idea of personal performance.
____ is the theory that is concerned with how people make sense out of their social lives
in the process of everyday living
Ethnomethodology

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Figure 3.9: Anomie Theory
Source: Distance Learning Centre, University of Ibadan
According to Robert Merton, anomie (normative breakdown) is largely derived from a
disjunction between ‘culturally prescribed aspirations’ of a society and ‘socially structured
avenues for realizing those aspirations’.
In other words, a gap between people’s aspirations and their access to legitimate means of
achieving them results in a breakdown of values, at both societal and individual levels. In
applying anomie theory, Emile Durkheim described anomie in his work, The Division of Labour
in Society. He described anomie as one of the outcomes of an inequitable division of labour
within the society.
According to him, such inequality causes a breakdown or lack of rules in society and results in
class conflict. In another of his works, Suicide, Durkheim viewed anomie as an outcome of rapid
social and economic change and hypothesized that it explained a particular kind of suicide that
occurs when individuals experience marked and sudden changes in their social condition.

Figure 3.10: Social Exchange Theory

Source: Distance Learning Centre, University of Ibadan
For instance, when an individual thinks about he or she may marry, such a person would surely
look to see if the other person will offer just as much (or perhaps more) than what he or she
would offer. This also includes judging the person’s looks and appearance, or the person’s social
status.

21
Figure 3.11: Postmodernism
Source: Distance Learning Centre, University of Ibadan
A basic question that guide post-modernist inquiry lies on how one can understand societies or
interpersonal relations, while rejecting the theories and methods of the social sciences, and also
assumptions about the human nature. An example of a famous post-modernist is Michael
Foucault; he was a French philosopher and one of the most influential post-modernist of all time.

When an individual thinks about he or she may marry, such a person would surely look
for what in the other person?

Such a person would surely look to see if the other person will offer just as much (or
perhaps more) than what he or she would offer

Summary of Study Session 3

In Study Session 3, you have learnt that:
1. This study had examined types of sociological theories under the broad category of
classical and contemporary theories.
2. These theories were briefly discussed as core assumption regarding the ontological nature
of the social world.
3. In the classical category, structural functionism, social conflict theory and symbolic
interactionism were discussed.

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4. Whilst in the contemporary category, feminism, critical theory, ethnomethodology,
network theory, phenomenology, rational choice theory, dramaturgy, anomie theory,
social exchange theory and postmodernism were discussed.

Self-Assessment Questions (SAQs) for Study Session 3

Now that you have completed this study session, you can assess how well you have achieved its
Learning outcomes by answering the following questions. Write your answers in your study
Diary and discuss them with your Tutor at the next! Support meeting. You can check your
answers with the Notes on the Self-Assessment questions at the end of this Module.

SAQ 3.1 (Tests Learning Outcomes 3.1)

Explain the following;
• Symbolic Interactionism Theory
• Structural Functionalism Theory

SAQ 3.2 (Tests Learning Outcomes 3.2)

Feminism is the theory that focuses on how gender inequality shapes social life. Further explain
according to the study

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Study Session 4 Social Thought and Social Theory

Introduction
Broadly speaking, it is social thought that provides general theories to explain actions and
behaviour of society as a whole; and this encompassed sociological, political, and philosophical
ideas. Social theory on the other hand is employed to make distinctions and generalizations
among different types of societies, and to analyze modernity as it has emerged in the past few
centuries. Classical social theory has generally been presented from a perspective of Western
philosophy, and often regarded as Eurocentric.
This Study Session will focus on Social Thought and Social Theory. You will learn basic
philosophical questions addressed by social thinkers would be discussed. These include
questions on human reason makes sense of the social world and shape it for the better. Questions
on how the development of modern societies, with vast inequalities in wealth among citizens,
constitutes progress.
Also, questions on how particular government interventions and regulations impact natural social
processes

Learning Outcomes for Study Session 4

When you have study this session, you should be able to:
4.1 Explain the Concept of Society (SAQ 4.1)
4.2 Discuss the Enlightenment Period and Social Theory (SAQ 4.2)
4.3 Discuss the Enlightenment Period and Social Theory (SAQ 4.3)

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4.1 Concept of Society
To most ancient Greek philosophers, including Aristotle and Plato, there is no distinction
between politics and society. Accordingly, the concept of society did not emerge until much later
part of the Enlightenment period.
Box 4.1: The Term “Societe”

The term societe is said to be first used by Rousseau in his discussion of social relations.
In his part, Ibn Khaldun, an influential Muslim scholar, in his work Introduction to History,
published in 1377, described two types of societies:
Table 4.1: The Two Types of Societies
1 The city or town-dweller
2 The mobile, nomadic societies
The term societe is said to be first used by_______?
By Rousseau in his discussion of social relations

4.2 The Enlightenment Period and Social Theory

The enlightenment is generally described as a period when modernity sprung up, with the
emergence of the world economy and exchange among diverse societies, bringing sweeping
changes and new challenges for society. During this period most philosophers embraced the idea
of progress and ideas of modernity.

25
Figure 4.1: Intellectual History and Modernity
Source: www.ched.uq.edu.au/images/replett.jpg

Many philosophers, including Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Voltaire, and Denis Diderot, developed
new social ideas during the Enlightenment. These ideas were considered unique because they
were based on reason and methods of scientific inquiry. These ideas were different from
prevailing ideas as they did not draw on ideas of the past that ‘blindly’ followed religious
dogmas and authority of the monarch.
With the development of this kind of ideas, the status quo was challenged as scientists were
required to find new normativity. This process allowed for the emergence of scientific
knowledge which subsequently led to progress in society. French social thought during this
period for instance focused on moral critique and criticisms of the monarchy.
Many philosophers, developed new social ideas during the Enlightenment; these ideas
were considered unique because?
They were based on reason and methods of scientific inquiry

4.3 Classical Thinkers and Social Thought

One of the classical thinkers to be considered in this lecture is Adam Smith. He was primarily
concerned with the question of whether vast inequalities of wealth represented progress. He

26
explained that the wealthy often demand ease, employing numerous others to carry out labour to
meet their demands.

Figure 4.1: Adam Smith

Source: www.inveritascrescentes.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/adamsmith.jpg

He argued that this allows wealth to be redistributed among inhabitants, and for all to share in the
progress of society. Smith explained that social forces can regulate the market economy with
social objectivity and without need for government intervention. Smith regarded the division of
labour as an important factor for economic progress.
Another classical thinker of consideration here is John Millar, Millar suggested that improved
status of women was important for progress of society. He also advocated for abolition of
slavery, suggesting that personal liberty will certainly motivate people to be more industrious,
ambitious, and productive.
John Millar, suggested that improved status of women was important for progress of
society. True or False
True
Voltaire presented new scientific and philosophical ideas developed by Isaac Newton, John
Locke, and others, introducing them to the French society. With this, methods used to study
scientific phenomena were extended to study social and moral issues. The social and

27
philosophical questions addressed by social thinkers often centred on modernity. These questions
among others include:
Box 4.2: Some of the Social and Philosophical Questions Addressed by Social Thinkers
• How human reason make sense of the social world and shape it for the better
• How the development of modern societies, with vast inequalities in wealth among the
citizens constitute progress.
• How government interventions and regulations impact natural social processes whether the
economy and market be regulated or not.
Other issues relating to modernity that were addressed by social thinkers during the
Enlightenment period include alienation, social disorganization, secularization, loneliness.
European scholars such as Adam Ferguson, Montesquieu, and John Millar, among others, were
regarded as the first scholars to study society as being distinct from political institutions and
processes. In the nineteenth century, the scientific method was introduced into the study of
society. This was a significant advancement which led to the development of Sociology as a
discipline.
During the Enlightenment period, European societies were still largely rural, with minimal
involvement of the government in the everyday life of the citizens. With the emergence of
industrialization and urbanization, European societies were significantly transformed, and new
ways of thinking about society also emerged. At this time, questions involving social order
gained importance and relevance.
British social thinkers such as: Herbert Spencer, addressed questions and ideas relating to
political economy and social evolution. Important German philosophers and social thinkers
include scholars such as Immanuel Kant, Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, Karl Marx, Max
Weber and Georg Simmel. While important Italian social scientists include people like Antonio
Gramsci, Gaetano Mosca, and Vilferdo Pareto.
“Whether the economy and market be regulated or not” This is one of what?
One of the Social and Philosophical Questions Addressed by Social Thinkers

28
Summary of Study Session 4

In Study Session 4, you have learnt that:

1. This lecture had examined the relationship between social thought during the
Enlightenment period and the development of social theory.
2. The Enlightenment period was described as a period when modernity sprung up, with the
emergence of the world economy and exchange among diverse societies, bringing
sweeping changes and new challenges for society.
3. It was demonstrated in the lecture that this period also led to the development of new
social ideas. These ideas were considered unique because they were based on reason and
methods of scientific inquiry.
4. The lecture discussed the role of prominent classical thinkers like Adam Smith in
explaining questions of vast inequalities of wealth in society.
5. Another classical thinker that was discussed in the lecture is John Millar, Millar who
suggested that improved status of women was important for progress in society.
6. The lecture ended by discussing the social and philosophical questions of interest to the
social thinkers of the Enlightenment period.

Self-Assessment Questions (SAQs) for Study Session 4

Now that you have completed this study session, you can assess how well you have achieved its
Learning outcomes by answering the following questions. Write your answers in your study
Diary and discuss them with your Tutor at the next! Support meeting. You can check your
answers with the Notes on the Self-Assessment questions at the end of this Module.

SAQ 4.1 (Tests Learning Outcomes 4.1)

The two types of Societies are?

SAQ 4.2 (Tests Learning Outcomes 4.2)

Enlightenment is generally described as a period when ____________?

29
SAQ 4.3 (Tests Learning Outcomes 4.3)
“During the Enlightenment period, European societies were still largely rural” complete the
sentence according to the study

30
Study Session 5: The Rise of Sociological Theory

Introduction
A significant character of sociological theory is the fact that as society continues to change, this
also necessitates new methods of understanding and explaining these changes. Sociological
theory is believed to be constantly evolving and therefore can never be presumed to be complete.
In broad terms, the field of Sociology and sociological theory in particular is considered to be
relatively new.
Sociology as a discipline has separated itself from the other social sciences due to its focus on
society, a concept that goes beyond nation, as it includes communities, organizations and
relationships.
This Study Session will focus on The Rise of Sociological Theory. You will learn Rise of
Sociological Theory, the Industrialization in Rise of Sociological Theory, and Growth of Cities
in Rise of Sociological Theory

Learning Outcomes for Study Session 5

When you have study this session, you should be able to:
5.1 Describe the Rise of Sociological Theory (SAQ 5.1)
5.2 Discuss Industrialization in Rise of Sociological Theory (SAQ 5.2)
5.3 Discuss Growth of Cities in Rise of Sociological Theory (SAQ 5.3)
5.4 Discuss Political Change in Rise of Sociological Theory (SAQ 5.4)

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5.1 Rise of Sociological Theory

In broad perspectives, the following factors had been seen as being influential in the rise of
sociological theory. These include: the rise of individualism, the emergence of the modern state,
industrialization and capitalism, colonization, globalization and the world wars.
More specifically, Sociology as a discipline was born as a result of three striking changes in
Europe. These include;
Box 5.1. Sociology was born as a result of three striking changes in Europe.

• The rise of factory-based industrial economy,

• The explosive growth of cities, and
• The spread of new ideas about democracy and political rights

5.2 Industrialization in Rise of Sociological Theory

In Europe during the Middle Ages, most people either worked on farms close to where they lived
or they worked in small-scaled manufacturing industries. However, by the end of eighteenth
century, this trend changed due to the invention of powerful machines which were being used in
factories and mills.

Figure 5.1: Mills and Textile Machine

Source: www.millmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/100_6720.jpg

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This invention of machine led to what is known as ‘industrial revolution’. Consequently, most
people in rural areas began to move to cities in order to become part of the anonymous crowd of
the city's labour force. This migration to cities from rural areas eventually broke the ties of those
who moved with traditional way of life which focused on community life and values.
Resultantly, this shift to industrialization and capitalism led to the expansion of cities and
development of labour movements. Early sociologists were thus intrigued by the vast differences
in social interactions that exist in the cities and the rural areas. This propelled them to seek for
new ideas and theories to explain the kind of social interaction that have emerged and its
associated challenges.
Invention of machine led to what is known as_______?
Industrial revolution

5.3 Growth of Cities

Due to the invention of industrial machinery, there were increasing demands for wool in textile
mills. In order to meet up with the increasing demand for wool, landowners in rural areas now
participated in the ‘enclosure movement’. This is a practice where landowners incrementally
fenced-off areas of their land to increase grazing lands for their sheep.

Figure 5.1: People Migrating to Ibadan for a Living

Source: www.gdb.voanews.com/A1FB2E40-3815-446C-9DA1-
F4E883935528_mw1024_n_s.jpg

33
This therefore left little choice for rural farm-workers; thus, most of them now moved to the
cities to find work. These migrant workers faced crime and pollution in cities. The sudden
increase in migration also led to overpopulation and homelessness. With these, migrant workers
evolved a new social world with its own set of problems.

5.4 Political Change

During the Middle Ages, most Europeans viewed the power structure of society as an expression
of the divine that is sacrosanct and unchangeable. The aristocrats occupied the top tier of society
while slaves were at the bottom. However, in the eighteenth century, during the period of the
Enlightenment, philosophers started to question the validity of this traditional view about the
power structure in society.
Some of these philosophers include people like John Locke, Adam Smith and Thomas Hobbes.
As a result, there was a shift in thinking from moral obligations to personal pursuit. This shift
was also facilitated by industrialization and the emergence of wealthy people who had acquired
wealth through capitalism and not just through inheritance. Consequently, as cities grew, people
started to value individual rights and individual freedom in determining social status.
The French Revolution for instance was a great push in breaking the old political and social
traditions. The French social analyst, Alexis de Tocqueville noted the change brought by the
French Revolution as ‘nothing short of regeneration of the whole human race’ (1955;orig.1856).
These revolutions certainly inspired a lot of political and religious change.
As an alternative to capitalism, people started to reach for socialism, a political and economic
system where wealth is equally distributed among all workers. One of the most prominent
philosophers against capitalism was Karl Marx who participated in political activities to protest
the capitalist system.

In order to meet up with the increasing demand for wool______ needs to be done

Landowners in rural areas should participate in the ‘enclosure movement’

34
Summary of Study Session 5

In Study Session 5, you have learnt that:

1. A significant character of sociological theory is the fact that as society continues to
change, this also necessitates new methods of understanding and explaining these
changes
2. In broad perspectives, the following factors had been seen as being influential in the rise
of sociological theory
3. This invention of machine led to what is known as ‘industrial revolution’. Consequently,
most people in rural areas began to move to cities in order to become part of the
anonymous crowd of the city's labour force
4. Due to the invention of industrial machinery, there were increasing demands for wool in
textile mills.
5. Some of these philosophers include people like John Locke, Adam Smith and Thomas
Hobbes. As a result, there was a shift in thinking from moral obligations to personal
pursuit

Self-Assessment Questions (SAQs) for Study Session 5

Now that you have completed this study session, you can assess how well you have achieved its
Learning outcomes by answering the following questions. Write your answers in your study
Diary and discuss them with your Tutor at the next! Support meeting. You can check your
answers with the Notes on the Self-Assessment questions at the end of this Module.

SAQ 5.1 (Tests Learning Outcomes 5.1)

Sociology was born as a result of three striking changes in Europe, list them.

SAQ 5.2 (Tests Learning Outcomes 5.2)

Most people in rural areas began to move to cities. What could be the reason for this; according
to the study?

35
SAQ 5.3 (Tests Learning Outcomes 5.3)
The sudden increase in migration led to______? List all that apply

SAQ 5.4 (Tests Learning Outcomes 5.4)

In the eighteenth century, during the period of the Enlightenment, philosophers started to_____?

36
Study Session 6 Sociological Theory and the Law of Three Stages

Introduction
As early as 1822, Auguste Comte (1798-1857) set himself the task to ‘discover through what
fixed series of successive transformations the human race, starting from a state not superior to
that of the great apes, gradually led to the point at which civilized Europe finds itself today’.
In putting to practice what Comte had conceived as a method of scientific comparison through
time, he now projected his central conception, The Law of Human Progress or The Law of Three
Stages.
This Study Session will focus on Sociological Theory and the Law of Three Stages. You will
learn the Theological Stage, Metaphysical Stage and Positive Stage

Learning Outcomes for Study Session 6

When you have study this session, you should be able to:
6.1 Understand the Branch of Human Knowledge (SAQ 6.1)
6.2 Explain the Theological Stage (SAQ 6.2)
6.3 Discuss the Metaphysical Stage (SAQ 6.3)
6.4 Discuss the Positive Stage (SAQ 6.4)

6.1 Branch of Human Knowledge

Comte shown that each branch of human knowledge passes successively through three different
theoretical conditions: the Theological or ficticious; the Metaphysical or abstract; and the
Scientific or positive.
Although Comte focused primarily on stages in the development and progressive emancipation
of the human mind, he stressed that these stages correlated with parallel stages in the
development of social organization, of types of social order, of types of social units, and of the
material conditions of human life.

37
Human knowledge passes successively through three different theoretical conditions,
name them
The Theological or ficticious: the Metaphysical or abstract; and the Scientific or positive

6.2 The Theological Stage

According to Comte, this stage of human progress refers to a stage where understanding of social
reality is dependent on personified deities. During this stage, it is believed that all the phenomena
of nature are the creation of the divine or supernatural.

Figure 6.1: Demonstration of Supernatural Power

Source: www.upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/55/Ring48.jpg

The natural cause of phenomena is not recognized here; consequently, causes of phenomena are
attributed to supernatural or divine powers. Comte went further to break the theological stage
into 3 sub-stages. These include:

Figure 6.2: The Three Theological Stages

Source: Distance Learning Centre, University of Ibadan

38
Table 6.1: Theological Stages
1 Fetishism This stage was regarded as the primary stage of the theological stage of
thinking. In this stage, it is commonly believed that inanimate objects have
living spirit; thus, people worship and venerate these objects like trees,
rivers, mountains, stones, and so on.
2 Polytheism This stage involves the explanation of social reality through the use of
many gods. It is believed here that natural forces were controlled by
different gods. For instance, there would be a god of thunder, god of iron,
water, god of rain, god of fire, god of air, God of earth, and so on.
3 Monotheism This refers to the belief in one God; all social phenomena are attributed to a
single, supreme deity.

The three theological Stages in are?

Fetishism, Polytheism, Monotheism

6.3 The Metaphysical Stage

The Metaphysical Stage indeed an extension of the theological stage. Here, there is impersonal
abstract explanation to social reality. It is commonly believed in this stage that an abstract power
or force guides and determines the events in the world.

39
Figure 6.3: Demonstration of Metaphysical Power
Source:
www.upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cb/Fetish_Image_(relates_to_David_Livingst
one)_by_The_London_Missionary_Society_cropped.jpg

It is worthy to note that metaphysical thinking discards belief in concrete God. The nature of
inquiry here is usually legal and rational in nature.
The Metaphysical stage is indeed an extension of stage?
The Theological Stage

6.4 The Positive Stage

This stage is also known as the scientific stage. It refers to a stage where social reality is based
on scientific explanation in the form of observation, experimentation, and comparison. The
positive stage relies hugely upon a distinct method, the scientific method, for its justification.
During this stage, humans tried to establish cause and effect relationship of social reality.

40
Figure 6.4: The Scientific Power of Thought
Source: www.farm9.staticflickr.com/8144/7254347346_acaedb3960_b.jpg

Positivism is a purely intellectual way of looking at the world; as well it puts emphasis on
observation and classification of data and facts. Comte, however, acknowledged that the three
stages of thinking may co-exist in the same society or in the same mind at the same time and
may not always be successive.
Comte proposed a hierarchy of the sciences based on historical sequence, with areas of
knowledge passing through these stages in order of complexity. The simplest and most remote
areas of knowledge, whether mechanical or physical, according to Comte become scientific first.
These are followed by the more complex sciences, that is, those sciences considered closest to
us.
The hierarchy of the sciences is developed by the following order according to Comte’s law:
Mathematics; Astronomy; Physics; Chemistry; Biology; Psychology; Sociology. Sociology, the
science of society is hence considered as the ‘Queen science’ in Comte’s hierarchy as it would be
the most fundamentally complex. Through social science, and especially through Sociology,
Comte believed that all human social ills can be remedied.

Sociology, the science of society is considered as ____?

The ‘Queen science’

41
Summary of Study Session 6

In Study Session 6, you have learnt that:

1. This lecture examined Comte’s stages of human progress.
2. These stages were treated and broken into the following theological stage; these have 3
sub-stages, which are fetishism, polytheism and monotheism.
3. The second stage discussed was the metaphysical stage; and lastly, the positive stage.

Self-Assessment Questions (SAQs) for Study Session 6

Now that you have completed this study session, you can assess how well you have achieved its
Learning outcomes by answering the following questions. Write your answers in your study
Diary and discuss them with your Tutor at the next! Support meeting. You can check your
answers with the Notes on the Self-Assessment questions at the end of this Module.

SAQ 6.1 (Tests Learning Outcomes 6.1)

Comte stressed that, these stages correlated with parallel stages in the development of social
organization, kindly state the types.

SAQ 6.2 (Tests Learning Outcomes 6.2)

According to the study, explain “Fetishism”

SAQ 6.3 (Tests Learning Outcomes 6.3)

It is commonly believed in ___________ stage, an abstract power or force guides and determines
the events in the world. Fill the gap

SAQ 6.4 (Tests Learning Outcomes 6.4)

According to Comte’s law, the hierarchy of the sciences is developed by the following orders.
What are the orders?

42
Study Session 7 Classical Sociological Theorists

Introduction
It is worthy to discuss briefly further about Auguste Comte's scientific writings, especially about
his normative theory, which he sketched out in his earliest papers and developed in his later
work, that is, from his work on Positive Philosophy
Let it be pointed out that Karl Marx's class theory rests on the premise that "the history of all
hitherto existing society is the history of class struggles”. Throughout his career, Emile
Durkheim was believed to be primarily concerned with three goals the concept of rationalization
had been used in Sociology to refer to the replacement of traditions, values, and emotions as
motivators for behaviour in society
This Study Session will focus on Classical Sociological Theorists. You will learn the
contributions of classical sociological theorists like Auguste Comte, Karl Marx, Emile
Durkheim, and Max Weber to sociological theory.

Learning Outcomes for Study Session 7

When you have study this session, you should be able to:
7.1 Explain the Auguste Comte (1798-1857) - Normative Theory (SAQ 7.1)
7.2 Discuss the Karl Marx (1818-1883) - Class Theory (SAQ 7.2)
7.3 Discuss the Emile Durkheim (1858-1917) - Durkheimian Theory (SAQ 7.3)
7.4 Max Weber (1864-1920) - Rationalization (SAQ 7.4)

43
7.1 Auguste Comte (1798-1857) - Normative Theory
It is worthy to discuss briefly further about Auguste Comte's scientific writings, especially about
his normative theory, which he sketched out in his earliest papers and developed in his later
work, that is, from his work on Positive Philosophy. Comte in this work elaborated a complex
blueprint of the good positive society of the future, a society directed by the spiritual power of
priests of the new positive religion and leaders of banking and industry.

Figure 7.1: Auguste Comte

Source: www.1.bp.blogspot.com/-
IQYxc5Cyl7o/UFb8TrjSECI/AAAAAAAASTw/SUWFhCFvBWw/s1600/Auguste-Comte-
1850.jpg

These scientific-sociologist-priests according to Comte would be - as were their religious

predecessors in the theological age - the moral guides and censors of the community, using the
force of their superior knowledge to recall men to their duties and obligations. Comte envisioned
these same people to be the directors of education and judges of the society.
In the positive-sociocracy of the future, the scientist-priests of the religion of humanity, having
acquired positive knowledge of what is good and evil would sternly hold men to their collective
duty and would help suppress any subversive ideas of inherent rights. Saint-Simon had suggested
that in the future the domination of men over men would be replaced by the administration of
things. Comte argued that the ‘things’ to be administered were in fact human individuals.

44
That human relation would become "thingified." Comte stated an instance during the eleventh
century where a Pope, Pope Hildebrand, had for a brief moment extended his spiritual power
over all temporal power, so the High Priest of Humanity, armed with a scientific knowledge;
would as the Pope of humanity institute a reign of harmony, justice, rectitude, and equity. The
new positivist order, according to Comte, would have Love as its Principle, Order as its Basis,
and Progress at its Aim.
Comte argued that the egoistic propensities to which humans were prone to throughout their
previous history would be replaced by altruism, that is, by the command, Live for Others.
Individuals would be immersed by love for their fellows, and they would lovingly honour the
positivist engineers of the soul who in their wisdom would incarnate the scientific knowledge of
the past, present and the lawfully determined path into a predictable future.
Comte, especially in his later years, considered himself not only a social scientist but also, and
primarily, a prophet and founder of a new religion that promised salvation for all the ailments of
humanity. These normative aspects of Comte's thought are no doubt of great importance to
sociological theory. Nonetheless, this aspect of his work must be understood within the social
and intellectual context in which his work emerged.

Comte argued that the egoistic propensities to which humans were prone to throughout
their previous history would be replaced by?

Altruism, that is, by the command, Live for Others

7.2 Karl Marx (1818-1883) - Class Theory

First and foremost, let it be pointed out that Karl Marx's class theory rests on the premise that
"the history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class struggles”. According to this
view, ever since human society emerged from its primitive and relatively undifferentiated state it
has remained fundamentally divided between classes who clash in the pursuit of class interests.

45
Figure 7.1: Auguste Comte
Source: www.biography.com/imported/images/Biography/Images/Profiles/M/Karl-Marx-
9401219-1-402.jpg

In a capitalist world for instance, the factory which forms the hub of capitalism, is the main locus
of antagonism between classes - between exploiters and exploited, between buyers and sellers of
labour power - rather than of functional collaboration. To Marx, class interests and associated
contradictions are indeed determinants of social and historical processes.
Marx's sociological analysis continually centres on how the relationships between men are
shaped by their relative positions in regard to the means of production, that is, by their
differential access to scarce resources and scarce power. Marx acknowledged that the unequal
access to power and the means of production need not at all times and under all conditions lead
to active class struggle.
But he likewise acknowledged that the potential for class conflict is inherent in every
differentiated society, since such a society systematically generates conflicts of interest between
persons and groups differentially located within the social structure, and, more particularly, in
relation to the means of production.

46
Karl Marx's class theory rests on what premise?

The history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class struggles

Marx was concerned with the ways in which specific positions in the social structure tended to
shape the social experiences of their incumbents and to predispose them to actions oriented to
improve their collective fate.
Analytically, it is worthy to state here that class interests in Marxian Sociology are not given ab
initio. Rather, they develop through the exposure of people occupying particular social positions
to particular social circumstances. Thus, in early industrial enterprises, competition divides the
personal interests of a crowd of people who are unknown to each other.
But the maintenance of their wages for instance would become a common interest which they
have against their employer, and this will bring them together. The separate individuals would
form a class only in so far as they have to carry on a common battle against another class;
otherwise they are on hostile terms with each other as competitors.
Class interests in this sense are fundamentally different from, and cannot be derived from the
individual’s interests. Class interests emerge as potential common interests of members of a
particular social stratum derive from the location of that stratum within particular social
structures and productive relations. In practical terms, potentiality is often transformed into
actuality.
That is, Klasse en sich (class in itself) is transformed into Klasse fuer sich (class for itself); this
occurs only when individuals occupying similar positions become involved in common
struggles; a network of communication develops, and they thereby become conscious of their
common fate. It is then that individuals become part of a cohesive class that consciously
articulates their common interests.
Although an aggregate of people may occupy similar positions in the process of production and
their lives may have objectively similar determinants, they become a class as a self-conscious
and history- making body only if they become aware of the similarity of their interests through
their conflicts with opposing classes.
To Marx, the basis upon which stratification systems rest is the relation of aggregates of men to
the means of production. The major modern classes are: owners of labour-power; owners of

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capital; and landowners, whose respective sources of income are wages, profit and rent.
Descriptively, classes are aggregates of persons who perform the same function in the
organization of production.
Yet self-conscious classes, as distinct from aggregates of people sharing a common fate, need for
their emergence a number of conditions among which are a network of communication, the
concentration of masses of people, a common enemy, and some form of organization. Self-
conscious classes arise only if and when there exists a convergence of what Max Weber later
called ‘ideal’ and ‘material’ interests, that is, the combination of economic and political demands
with moral and ideological quests.
The same mode of reasoning that led Marx to assert that the working class was bound to develop
class consciousness once the appropriate conditions were present also led him to contend that the
bourgeoisie, because of the inherent competitive relations between capitalist producers, was
incapable of developing an overall consciousness of its collective interests.
To classical economists, the economic system of a market economy is pictured as one in which
each individual is working in his or her own interest and solely concerned with the maximization
of his or her own gains, nevertheless contributes to the interests and the harmony of the whole.
Differing sharply from this position, Marx contended, as Raymond Aron noted that each
individual, working in his or her own interest, contributes both to the necessary functioning and
to the final destruction of the regime.
In contrast to the utilitarians who conceive of self-interest as a regulator of a harmonious society,
Marx sees individual self-interest among capitalists as destructive of their class interest in
general, and as leading to the ultimate self-destruction of capitalism. The very fact that each
capitalist acts rationally in his own self-interest leads to ever deepening economic crises and
hence to the destruction of the interests of all.
The conditions of work and the roles of workers dispose them to solidarity and to overcoming
their initial competitiveness in favour of combined action for their collective class interests.
Capitalists, however, being constrained by competition on the market, are in a structural position
that does not allow them to arrive at a consistent assertion of common interests.
The market and the competitive mode of production that is characteristic of capitalism tend to
separate individual producers. Marx granted that capitalists also found it possible to transcend

48
their immediate self-interests, but he thought this possible primarily in the political and
ideological spheres rather than in the economic.
Capitalists, divided by the economic competition among themselves, evolved a justifying
ideology and a political system of domination that served their collective interests. The State
becomes therefore the structure through which individuals of a ruling class assert their common
interests; thus, the ideas of the ruling class are the ruling ideas.
Political power and ideology hence tend to serve the same functions for capitalists that class
consciousness serves for the working class. To Marx, the economic sphere was always the finally
decisive realm within which the bourgeoisie was always the victim of the competitiveness
inherent in its mode of economic existence.
Marx shown that the economic sphere can evolve a consciousness, but he argued that it is always
a ‘false consciousness’, that is, a consciousness that does not transcend its being rooted in an
economically competitive mode of production. Hence neither the bourgeoisie as a class, nor the
bourgeois state, nor the bourgeois ideology can serve truly to transcend the self-interest enjoined
by the bourgeoisie.
The bourgeois reign is doomed when economic conditions are ripe and when a working class
united by solidarity, aware of its common interests and energized by an appropriate system of
ideas, confronts its disunited antagonists. Once workers became aware that they are alienated
from the process of production, Marx believed that the dusk of the capitalist era has set in.
According to Marx ‘false consciousness’ means what?

A consciousness that does not transcend its being rooted in an economically competitive
mode of production

7.3 Emile Durkheim (1858-1917) - Durkheimian Theory

Throughout his career, Emile Durkheim was believed to be primarily concerned with three goals.
First, to establish Sociology as a new academic discipline. Second, to analyze how societies
could maintain their integrity and coherence in the modern era, when things such as shared
religious and ethnic background could no longer be assumed. Lastly, Durkheim was concerned
with the practical implications of scientific knowledge.

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Most importantly, the importance of social integration is expressed throughout Durkheim's work.
Let us consider one of Durkheim’s quotes on social integration:
Box 7.1. Durkheim’s Quote on Social Integration
For if society lacks the unity that derives from the fact that the relationships between its parts are
exactly regulated, that unity resulting from the harmonious articulation of its various functions
assured by effective discipline and if, in addition, society lacks the unity based upon the
commitment of men's wills to a common objective, then it is no more than a pile of sand that the
least jolt or the slightest puff will suffice to scatter.
- Emile Durkheim
To give Sociology a place in the academic world and to ensure that it is a legitimate science,
Durkheim argued that Sociology must therefore have an object that is clear and distinct from
philosophy or psychology, with its own methodology. Accordingly, the Durkheim theory hinges
on the fundamental aim of discover structural social facts.
In his work, Rules of the Sociological Method (1895), Durkheim demonstrated how necessary it
is to establish a method that would guarantee Sociology's truly scientific character. One of the
key questions raised here concerns the issue of objectivity of the sociologist.
That is how could one study an object that, from the very beginning, conditions and relates to the
observer? According to Durkheim, observations of sociological study must be as impartial and
impersonal as possible, even though he also acknowledged that a ‘perfectly objective
observation’ in this sense may never be attained.
A social fact must always be studied according to its relation with other social facts, never
according to the individual who studies it. Sociology should therefore advocate comparison
rather than the study of singular independent facts. To Durkheim, facts have no intellectual
meaning unless they were grouped into types and laws.
To give Sociology a place in the academic world and to ensure that it is a legitimate
science, Durkheim argued that?
Sociology must therefore have an object that is clear and distinct from philosophy or
psychology, with its own methodology
He affirmatively claimed that it is from a construction erected on the inner nature of the real that
knowledge of concrete reality is obtained, knowledge not perceived by observation of the facts

50
from the outside. He thus constructed concepts such as the sacred and totemism exactly in the
same way that Karl Marx developed the concept of class.
Unlike his contemporaries like Ferdinand Tonnies and Max Weber, Durkheim focused on the
study of social facts, and not on what motivates the actions of individuals, an approach
associated with methodological individualism. Durkheim defined a social fact in the following
manner:
Box 7.2. Durkheim Social Fact Definition
A social fact is every way of acting, fixed or not, capable of exercising on the individual an
external constraint; or again, every way of acting which is general throughout a given society,
while at the same time existing in its own right independent of its individual manifestations.
- Emile Durkheim, The Rules of Sociological Method
Durkheim's work and sociological theory revolved around the study of social facts, a term he
coined to describe phenomena that have an independent existence in and of themselves, and are
not bound to the actions of individuals, but have a coercive influence upon them. Durkheim
argued that social facts have, sui generis, an independent existence greater and more objective
than the actions of the individuals that compose society.
According to Durkheim, only such social facts can explain the observed social phenomena.
Being exterior to the individual person, social facts may thus also exercise coercive power on the
various people that make up society, as it can sometimes be observed in the case of formal laws
and regulations, but also in situations implying the presence of informal rules, such as religious
rituals or family norms.
According to Durkheim, social facts can be material (physical objects) or immaterial (meanings,
sentiments, etc.). Immaterial social facts cannot be seen or touched, but they are external and
coercive, and as such, they become real, gain ‘facticity’. On the other hand, physical objects can
represent both material and immaterial social facts; for example a flag is a physical social fact
that often has various immaterial social facts (the meaning and importance of the flag) attached
to it.
The task of sociological theory is therefore the provide explanations to what had been discovered
a quantitative or experimental approach. Just like social institutions in general, Durkheim
described society as a set of social facts. More than what society is, Durkheim was also

51
interested in answering questions on ‘how is a society created’ and ‘what holds a society
together’.
In attempting to answer the question of ‘what holds society together’, Durkheim shown in his
work, Division of Labour in Society, that humans are inherently egoistic, but norms, beliefs and
values (collective consciousness) form the moral basis of society, which also brings about social
integration in society. Accordingly, collective consciousness is of key importance to the society,
it is a requisite function without which the society cannot survive.
To Durkheim, collective consciousness produces the society and holds it together, and at the
same time individuals produce collective consciousness through their interactions. Likewise, it is
through collective consciousness that human beings become aware of one another as social
beings, and not just animals.
Durkheim described collective consciousness in the following words, that ‘the totality of beliefs
and sentiments common to the average members of a society forms a determinate system with a
life of its own. It can be termed the collective or common consciousness’.
Durkheim shown that the emotional part of the collective consciousness usually overrides our
egoism; as humans are emotionally bound to culture, as they act socially since this is recognized
as the responsible and moral way to act. A key to forming society according to Durkheim is
social interaction, he believed that humans, when in a group, will inevitably act in such a way
that a society is formed.
According to Durkheim, only such social facts can explain what?
The observed social phenomena

7.4 Max Weber (1864-1920) - Rationalization

The concept of rationalization had been used in Sociology to refer to the replacement of
traditions, values, and emotions as motivators for behaviour in society. Traditions, values, and
emotions here is said to be motivated by rational, calculated actions. The term is believed to be
propounded by Max Weber.
Weber illustrated what rationalization implies in his work, The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of
Capitalism, where he shown how the values of some Protestant denominations like the Calvinists
have shifted towards rational means of economic gain as a way of dealing with their 'salvation
anxiety'.

52
The rational consequences of this doctrine, he argued, soon grew to be incompatible with its
religious roots, and so the salvation concerns of Calvinism were eventually discarded. Weber
subsequently applied this concept in his later works, notably in his studies on bureaucracy and on
the classifications of authority. In these works he showed how social organization and
sociological theory are inevitably moving towards rationalization.
Weber believed that a move towards rational-legal was inevitable. In charismatic authority for
instance, the death of a leader effectively ends the power of that authority. On the other hand, it
is only through a rationalized and bureaucratic form that this authority be passed on.
In Weber’s sociological analysis, what his work depicted was not only the secularization of
Western culture, but also and especially the development of modern societies from the viewpoint
of rationalization. The new structures of society were marked by the differentiation of the two
functionally intermeshing systems that had taken shape around the organizational cores of the
capitalist enterprise and the bureaucratic state apparatus.
Weber understood this process as the institutionalization of purposive-rational economic and
administrative action. To the degree that everyday life was affected by this cultural and societal
rationalization, traditional forms of life - which in the early modern period were differentiated
primarily according to one's trade - were dissolved.
In another instance, in traditional societies governance is based on traditional leadership such as
a queen or chief, on the contrary, in modern societies, governance operates by rational-legal
systems. Weber further described the eventual impacts of rationalization in his work, Economy
and Society, where he argued that increasing rationalization of human life would eventually trap
individuals in an ‘iron cage’ or rule-based, rational control.
Again, one of Weber's greatest contributions to sociological theory is the notion of his ideal type.
He described the ideal type as basically a theoretical model constructed by means of a detailed
empirical study of a phenomenon. That an ideal type is an intellectual construct that a sociologist
may use to study historical realities by means of their similarities and divergences from the
model. He emphasized that ideal types are not utopias or images of what the world ought to look
like.
Also, Weber’s typology of the four types of social action is central to comprehending his
Sociology. According to Weber, social action may be classified as: means-ends rational action,

53
value-rational action, affectual action, or traditional action. He went further to developed a
multidimensional theory of stratification that incorporated class, status, and party.
Class is determined by one's economic or market situation (i.e., life chances), and it is not a
community but rather a possible basis for communal action. Status refers to honour, prestige, and
one's style of life. Parties, according to Weber, are organized structures that exist for the
purposes of gaining domination in some sphere of social life.
Class, status, and party may be related in many ways in a given empirical case, which provides
the sociologist with a very sophisticated set of conceptual tools for the analysis of stratification
and power.
Critics have argued that Weber had failed to offer any alternatives to rationalization, capitalism,
and bureaucracy. They also deprecate Weber's resolute pessimism about the future of
rationalization and bureaucracy.

Summary of Study Session 7

In Study Session 7, you have learnt that:
1. It is worthy to discuss briefly further about Auguste Comte's scientific writings,
especially about his normative theory, which he sketched out in his earliest papers and
developed in his later work, that is, from his work on Positive Philosophy
2. Karl Marx's class theory rests on the premise that "the history of all hitherto existing
society is the history of class struggles”.
3. Throughout his career, Emile Durkheim was believed to be primarily concerned with
three goals
4. Accordingly, the Durkheim theory hinges on the fundamental aim of discover structural
social facts
5. The concept of rationalization had been used in Sociology to refer to the replacement of
traditions, values, and emotions as motivators for behaviour in society
6. In Weber’s sociological analysis, what his work depicted was not only the secularization
of Western culture, but also and especially the development of modern societies from the
viewpoint of rationalization

54
Self-Assessment Questions (SAQs) for Study Session 7

Now that you have completed this study session, you can assess how well you have achieved its
Learning outcomes by answering the following questions. Write your answers in your study
Diary and discuss them with your Tutor at the next! Support meeting. You can check your
answers with the Notes on the Self-Assessment questions at the end of this Module.

SAQ 7.1 (Tests Learning Outcomes 7.1)

That human relation would become "thingified." Was stated by whom and in what instance?

SAQ 7.2 (Tests Learning Outcomes 7.2)

Marx's sociological analysis continually centres on how the relationships between men are
shaped; explain further according to the study

SAQ 7.3 (Tests Learning Outcomes 7.2)

In attempting to answer the question of ‘what holds society together’, Durkheim shown in his
work, Division of Labour in Society, that ______?

SAQ 7.4 (Tests Learning Outcomes 7.4)

Weber believed that a move towards rational-legal was inevitable. In charismatic authority for
instance, what is he trying to explain?

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Study Session 8 Structure-Agency Integration

Introduction
It is widely contended that the problem of structure and agency has become fact the basic issue
of interest in modern sociological theory. Dealing this the structure-agency linkage is in fact, the
‘acid test’ of a general social theory and the ‘central problem’ in sociological theory in particular.
In this study, you will understand exemplar of sociological theories that attempt to integrate
agency and structure. Agency here generally refers to micro-level, individual actors; however, it
also refers to (macro) collectivities that act. In like manner, while structure usually refers to
large-scale social structures, it also refers to micro structures such as those involved in human
interaction.
This Study Session will focus on Structure-Agency Integration. You will learn the Structure-
Agency Debate, Structure-Agency Integration, Recent Developments in Structure-Agency
Integration, and Structure-Agency Integration other Contemporary Theorists.

Learning Outcomes for Study Session 8

When you have study this session, you should be able to:
8.1 Explain the Structure-Agency Debate (SAQ 8.1)
8.2 Explain the Structure-Agency Integration (SAQ 8.2)
8.3 Discuss the Recent Developments in Structure-Agency Integration (SAQ 8.3)
8.4 Discuss Structure-Agency Integration other Contemporary Theorists (SAQ 8.4)

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8.1 The Structure-Agency Debate
Generally in sociological theorizing, there is this standing debate over the primacy of structure or
agency in shaping human behaviour. Agency is defined as the capacity of individuals to act
independently and to make their own free choices; whilst structure refers to the recurrent
patterned arrangements which influence or limit the choices and opportunities available to
individuals in society.

MICRO MACRO
Agency Structure

Individual Choice “Free Will” Social Force

Solidarity Social Control

Figure 8.1: Structure and Agent Elements

Source: Distance Learning Centre, University of Ibadan

The structure-agency debate is somehow similar with the ‘nature- nurture’ debate, which
questions whether an individual’s nature (physiology) or nurture (socialization) predominates in
the formation of the individual's identity. In the same vein, the structure- agency debate may be
viewed as an issue of socialization against autonomy in determining whether an individual acts
as a free agent or in a manner dictated by social structure.

The debate over the primacy of structure or agency indeed lies at the heart of both classical and
contemporary sociological theory. That is this debate is at the centre of the question of social
ontology. These include questions such: ‘What is the social world made of? What is a cause of
the social world, and what is an effect? Do social structures determine an individual's behaviour
or does human agency determine an individual’s behaviour?

57
The central debate, therefore, is between theorists committed to the notions of methodological
holism and those committed to methodological individualism. The first notion, methodological
holism, is the idea that actors are socialized and embedded into social structures and institutions
that constrain, or enable, and generally shape the individuals' dispositions towards, and capacities
for, action, and that this social structure should be taken as primary and most significant.
The second notion, methodological individualism, is the idea that actors are the central
theoretical and ontological elements in social systems, and social structure is a result and
consequence of the actions and activities of interacting individuals.
To Functionalists such as Emile Durkheim, structure and hierarchy are essential elements in
stabilizing the continued existence of society. On the contrary, theorists like Karl Marx
emphasized that the social structure can act to the detriment of the majority of individuals in a
society. In both these instances ‘structure’ here refers to something both material, in terms of
being economic or cultural (for example, structure may refer to norms, traditions, ideologies and
customs).
Some theorists argue that our social existence is largely determined by the overall structure of
society. Sociological theories which aligned with this view include: structuralism, and some
forms of Functionalism and Marxism, which in this context can be seen as forms of holism – a
notion that depicts ‘the whole is greater than the sum of its parts’.
On the contrary, other theorists stress the capacity of individual ‘agents’ to construct and
reconstruct their worlds. Some sociological theories that aligned with this view include:
interactionism, ethnomethodology, and phenomenology.
The central debate, is between theorists committed to the notions of __________?
Methodological holism and those committed to methodological individualism

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8.2 Structure-Agency Integration

Figure 8.2: Structure and Agent Integration

Source: www.systemswiki.org/images/thumb/6/63/StructureAgencyLane.png/600px-
StructureAgencyLane.png

Most modern social theorists such as Bourdieu (1977, 1990), have advocated for a point of
balance between structure and agency.
These theorists see structure and agency as complementary forces - structure influences human
behaviour, and humans are capable of changing the social structures they inhabit. The theory of
Structuration by Anthony Giddens is one prominent example of structure-agency integration.

“The theory of Structuration by Anthony Giddens is one prominent example of structure-

agency integration”. True or False?

True

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8.3 Recent Developments in Structure-Agency Integration
In this lecture, let us briefly examine recent developments that have advocated for structure-
agency integration. The critical realist structure/agency perspective embodied in the
Transformational Model of Social Action (TMSA) for instance has applied structure-agency
integration conceptions in its analyses.
Social science scholars such as Tony Lawson in economics and Margaret Archer in Sociology
have successfully demonstrated this integration in their works. Kenneth Wilkinson in his work,
Community in Rural America, took an interactional/field theoretical perspective focusing on the
role of community agency in contributing to the emergence of community.

Figure 8.3: Structure and Agent with related Tags and Terms
Source:
www.us.123rf.com/450wm/radiantskies/radiantskies1211/radiantskies121103516/16579201-
abstract-word-cloud-for-structure-and-agency-with-related-tags-and-terms.jpg

The Danish psychologist, Ole Dreier, had proposed in his work, Psychotherapy in Everyday Life,
that individuals are best conceptualized as participants in social practices (social structures); and
that these participants have the capability to either reproduce or change these social practices.

60
This indicates that neither the participants, nor the social practices can be fully understood when
looked at in isolation. According to him, any attempt to look at participants and social practices
in isolation is indeed invalid. Thus, it is recognized that the participants co-create social practice
and social structure, and this only happens when the individual participates in a social practice.
Structure-agency integration has continued to evolve, with scholars such as Nicos Mouzelis in
his work, Sociological Theory: What Went Wrong? and Margaret Archer's work, Realist Social
Theory: The Morphogenetic Approach, continuing to push for the ongoing development of
structure-agency theory and integration.
Work in information systems for instance by Mutch (2010) has emphasized Archer's Realist
Social Theory. In entrepreneurship research for example, Archer's theory has been used to
demonstrate the view that starting a new business organization needs to be understood in the
context of social structure and agency.

The Danish psychologist, Ole Dreier, had proposed in his work, Psychotherapy in
Everyday Life, that?
Individuals are best conceptualized as participants in social practices (social structures);
and that these participants have the capability to either reproduce or change these social
practices

8.4 Structure-Agency Integration other Contemporary Theorists

Pierre Bourdieu, Peter L. Berger and Thomas Luckmann, Roberto Mangaberia Unger, Anthony
Giddens are the other contemporary theorists that have advocated structure-agency integration

61
8.4.1 Pierre Bourdieu (August 1, 1930 – January 23, 2002)

Figure 8.4: Pierre Bourdieu

Source: www.31.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lu8vu11x3h1r64ybyo1_500.jpg

Bourdieu was a French theorist who presented his theory of practice on the dichotomise
understanding of the relation between structure and agency in his works. Some of his works
include: An Outline of the Theory of Practice (1972), where he presented the concept of habitus.
His other work, Distinction: A Social Critique of the Judgement of Taste (1979) was named as
one of the 20th century's ten most important and influential works of Sociology by the
International Sociological Association.
The basic concepts in Bourdieu's work include concepts like habitus, field, and capital.
According to Bourdieu, the agent is socialized in a ‘field’. A field here represents an evolving set
of roles and relationships in a social domain, where various forms of ‘capital’ such as prestige or
financial resources are at stake.
As the agent accommodates assigned roles and relationships in the context of the field, the agent
internalizes relationships and expectations for operating in that domain. These internalized
relationships and habitual expectations and relationships therefore form, over time, the habitus.
Bourdieu's work attempts to integrate structure and agency dichotomy by showing that external
structures are internalized into the habitus while the actions of the agent externalize interactions
between actors into the social relationship in the field. Bourdieu's theory, therefore, is
juxtaposition between ‘externalizing the internal’, and ‘internalizing the external’.

62
8.4.2 Peter L. Berger and Thomas Luckmann

Figure 8.5: Peter L. Berger and Thomas Luckmann

Source: www.207.23.252.88/media/authors/author_images/peter_berger.jpg

Berger and Luckmann in their work, Social Construction of Reality (1966) showed that the
relationship between structure and agency is dialectical in nature. They demonstrated that society
forms the individuals, and at the same time, the individual too creates society. This forms a
continuous loop.

8.4.3 Roberto Mangaberia Unger

Figure 8.6: Roberto Mangaberia Unger

Source: www.hannaharendtcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/unager.jpg

63
This social theorist and legal philosopher had developed the thesis of ‘negative capability’ to
foster structure and agency integration. In his work on ‘false necessity’ and ‘anti-necessitarian
social theory’; Unger recognized the constraints of structure and its molding influence upon the
individual, but at the same time believes that the individual is well able to resist, deny, and
transcend the structure.

He termed the varieties of this resistance as ‘negative capability’. Unlike other theories of
structure and agency, negative capability according to Unger do not reduce the individual to a
simple actor possessing only the dual capacity of compliance or rebellion, but rather sees the
individual as being able to partake in a variety of activities of self-empowerment.
8.4.4 Anthony Giddens

Figure 8.7: Anthony Giddens

Source: www.static.guim.co.uk/sys-
images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2011/3/4/1299267652207/Former-LSE-head-Anthony-G-007.jpg

Contemporary sociological theory is said to be generally aimed toward an integration of structure

and agency. Anthony Giddens, one of the contemporary sociological theorists, had developed
The Structuration Theory.
In his work, The Constitution of Society (1984), Giddens presented a developed attempt to move
beyond the differentiation or dualism of structure and agency and argues for the ‘duality of

64
structure’ - where social structure is conceived as both the medium and the outcome of social
action.
According to Giddens, an agent's common interaction with the structure, as a system of norms, is
described as ‘structuration’. He further used the term ‘reflexivity’ to refer to the ability of an
agent to consciously alter his or her place in the social structure.
He argued that globalization and the emergence of the 'post-traditional' or cosmopolitan society
might be said to allow for ‘greater social reflexivity’. He reaffirmed that the social sciences,
especially sociological theory creates social knowledge, which is potentially emancipatory.

Summary of Study Session 8

In Study Session 8, you have learnt that:
1. In this lecture, we have looked at exemplars of sociological theories that attempt to
integrate agency and structure.
2. Agency was defined as to micro-level, individual actors; however, it also refers to
(macro) collectivities that act.
3. In like manner, while structure usually refers to large-scale social structures, it also refers
to micro structures such as those involved in human interaction.

Self-Assessment Questions (SAQs) for Study Session 8

Now that you have completed this study session, you can assess how well you have achieved its
Learning outcomes by answering the following questions. Write your answers in your study
Diary and discuss them with your Tutor at the next! Support meeting. You can check your
answers with the Notes on the Self-Assessment questions at the end of this Module.

SAQ 8.1 (Tests Learning Outcomes 8.1)

Agency is defined as __________? Fill the gap

SAQ 8.2 (Tests Learning Outcomes 8.2)

These theorists see structure and agency as complementary forces.
WHY?

65
SAQ 8.3 (Tests Learning Outcomes 8.2)
What did Ole Dreier, proposed in his work, Psychotherapy in Everyday Life?

SAQ 8.4 (Tests Learning Outcomes 8.2)

According to Bourdieu, the agent is socialized in a ‘field’. Further explain what a field represents

66
Study Session 9: Globalization and Cosmopolitanism

Introduction
The term globalization has recently emerged to refer to the appearance of an international
network of social and economic systems that depict processes that advance world-wide
exchanges of national and cultural resources. It is the process of international integration arising
from the interchange of world views, products, ideas, and other aspects of culture.
The origin of the concept of globalization can be dated back to the great movements of trade and
empire across Asia and the Indian Ocean from the 15th century onwards. Since its inception, the
concept of globalization has inspired competing definitions and interpretations.
In the same vein, the notion of cosmopolitanism represents the idea that all humans belong to a
single community based on a shared morality. Let us examine the place of these two important
concepts in sociological theory.
This Study Session will focus on Structure-Agency Integration. You will learn the Structure-
Agency Debate, Structure-Agency Integration, Recent Developments in Structure-Agency
Integration, and Structure-Agency Integration other Contemporary Theorists.

Learning Outcomes for Study Session 9

When you have study this session, you should be able to:
9.1 Explain the Concept of Globalization and Cosmopolitanism (SAQ 9.1)
9.2 Describe the Globalization and Sociological Theory (SAQ 9.2)
9.3 Discuss the Dimensions of Globalization (SAQ 9.3)
9.4 Discuss the Contemporary Cosmopolitan Thinking (SAQ 9.4)

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9.1 Concept of Globalization and Cosmopolitanism
It is important to note that humans have interacted over long distances for thousands of years.
For instance, the overland Silk Road that connected Asia, Africa, and Europe is a good example
of the transformative power of trans-local exchange that existed in the ‘Old World’.
As peoples and nations exchanged products and ideas, there have been the spread and mixture of
philosophy, religion, language, the arts, and other aspects of culture. During the 15th and 16th
centuries, Europeans made important discoveries in their exploration of the oceans, including the
commencement of transatlantic travel to the ‘New World’ of the Americas.
Since this period, global movement of people, goods, and ideas have significantly expanded. We
have had the development of new forms of transportation, such as the steam ship and train,
telecommunications, these have compressed ‘time and space’, allowing for increasingly rapid
rates of global interchanges.

Figure 9.1: Global Means of Transportation

Source: www.upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia

In the 20th century, road vehicles and airlines were developed, and these had made transportation
even faster. More recently in the 21st century, the development and advent of electronic
communications, most notably mobile phones and the Internet, had brought new ways of living
to people where they can be connected to billions other people across the world.

68
In 20th century, road vehicles and airlines were developed; what is the impact on
transportation?
Made transportation faster

9.2 Globalization and Sociological Theory

The term globalization has been in increasing use since the mid-1980s. In Year 2000, the
International Monetary Fund (IMF) identified four basic aspects of globalization.

Figure 9.2: The Four Basic Aspects of Globalization Identified by IMF

Source: Distance Learning Centre, University of Ibadan

In recent times, environmental challenges such as climate change, cross-boundary water and air
pollution, and over-fishing of the ocean are linked with globalization. In sociological analysis, it
can be seen that globalizing processes affect and are affected by work organizations, economies,
socio-cultural resources, and even the natural environment.

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Figure 9.3: Globalization and the Environment
Source: www.stopceta.ca/@images/globalization-machine.png

Professor Roland Robertson, a sociologist, had defined globalization as ‘the compression of the
world and the intensification of the consciousness of the world as a whole’. Other sociologists
such as Martin Albrow and Elizabeth King had further defined globalization as ‘…all those
processes by which the peoples of the world are incorporated into a single world society’.

In his work, The Consequences of Modernity, Anthony Giddens defined globalization as the
intensification of worldwide social relations which link distant localities in such a way that local
happenings are shaped by events occurring many miles away and vice versa.

In sociological theoretical terms, it can be seen that although in its simplistic sense, the concepts
globalization and cosmopolitanism refer to the widening, deepening and speeding up of global
interconnection; such an explanation of these concepts begs further elaboration. Consequently,
globalization and cosmopolitanism can be better understood when located on a continuum that
has the local, national and regional spheres.
Descriptively, at one end of the continuum lie social and economic relations and networks which
are organized on a local and/or national basis; at the other end lie social and economic relations
and networks which crystallize on the wider scale of regional and global interactions.

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In sociological analysis, globalization and cosmopolitanism therefore imply those spatial-
temporal processes of change which underpin a transformation in the organization of human
affairs by linking together and expanding human activity across societies, cultures, regions and
continents. A satisfactory explanation of these concepts needs to capture these basic elements:
extensity (stretching), intensity, velocity and impact.

Martin Albrow and Elizabeth King defined globalization as ___________?

All those processes by which the peoples of the world are incorporated into a single
world society

9.3 Dimensions of Globalization

In his book, Globalization: A Very Short Introduction, Steger had argued that in order to fully
understand and grasp the concept and process of globalization and how this impact on
sociological knowledge, scholars of globalization need to take a multidimensional approach to
understanding globalization.
He outlined five dimensions of globalization. These include: economic, political, cultural,
ecological, and ideological.
Table 9.1: The Five Dimensions of Globalization
1 Economic globalization This entails the intensification and stretching of
economic interrelations around the globe. It involves
issues as the emergence of a new global economic order,
the internationalization of trade and finance, the changing
power of transnational corporations, and the
enhancement of the role of international economic
institutions like the IMF and World Bank.
2 Political globalization Globalization is conceived here as the intensification and
expansion of political interrelations around the globe.
Aspects of political globalization include the modern-
nation state system and its changing place in the present

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world’s order, the role of global governance, and the
direction of the global political systems
3 Cultural globalization This refers to the intensification and expansion of cultural
flows across the globe. Even though the concept of
culture is broad and encompassing, in his discussion of
globalization; Stager had defined as ‘the symbolic
construction, articulation, and dissemination of meaning’.
Issues of interests here include discussion on the
development of a global culture, or lack of a global
culture, the role of the media in shaping identities and
desires, and the globalization of languages
4 Ecological globalization Discussions of interest under this dimension relate to
global environmental and ecological concerns such as
population growth, access to food, worldwide reduction
in biodiversity, poverty reduction and eradication,
human-induced climate change, and global
environmental degradation
5 Ideological globalization Under this dimension, Steger noted that what prevail here
is the reign of norms, postulations, beliefs, and narratives
about the concept of globalization itself. He separated
ideologies that have endowed the concept of
globalization with particular values and meanings into
three main types

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Box 9.1. Concept of Globalization with Particular Values and Meanings into three main
types
These include: market globalism, justice globalism, and jihadist globalism. Steger explain them
as follows:
• Market globalism seeks to endow ‘globalization’ with free-market norms and neoliberal
meanings.
• Justice globalism involves the construction of an alternative vision of globalization based on
egalitarian ideals of global solidarity and distributive justice.
• Jihadist globalism struggles against market- and justice globalism as it seeks to mobilize the
global Muslim community of believers (umma) in defense of Islamic values and beliefs that
are thought to be under severe attack by the forces of secularism and consumerism.
The five dimensions of globalization are?
Economic, Political, Cultural, Ecological, and Ideological

9.4 Contemporary Cosmopolitan Thinking

A number of contemporary theorists have proposed directly and indirectly, various ways through
which an individual can become cosmopolitan. Jacque Fresco for instance is working through the
Venus Project on spreading cosmopolitan ideas across artificial boundaries that currently
separate the different peoples of the world.

His ideas are anchored on understandings as touching our interdependence with nature and each
other. Thich Nhat Hanh had evolved the concept of ‘Inter-being’ as a way of living one's life in
relation to others. ‘Inter-being’ connotes a concept that largely resembles cosmopolitanism. Nhat
Hanh's philosophical beliefs are grounded in the precepts of Buddhist teachings, which involve
compassion and understanding to protect and live in harmony with all people, animals, plants,
and minerals.
He went further to describe what he called Mindfulness Training of the Order of Inter-being.
According to him, with this training, one would be aware of sufferings created by, but not
limited to causes like fanaticism and intolerances that disrupt compassion and living in harmony

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with others; indoctrination of narrow-minded beliefs; imposition of views; anger; and
miscommunication.

He buttressed that understanding and compassion for others would surely be achieved when one
understands other people's suffering and the root causes of suffering. Therefore, to be human and
responsible is to recognize and understand suffering, which then leads to compassion. It is
through this process that others can be recognized as humans.

Contemporary cosmopolitan thinking contends that recognizing suffering is a prerequisite to

ending violence. In his work, Scared Sacred, Velcrow Ripper explored different sites of great
suffering, and he confirmed that this ultimately led him toward developing compassion. In
another work, ‘The Planet’", Paul Gilroy explores how the construction and naturalization of
race and the hierarchies produced by difference shape the hatred of others.

Figure 9.4: Recognizion of Suffering

Source: www.forward.com/workspace/assets/images/articles/s-armenia-122911.jpg

It is the deconstruction of these ideologies that can lead to the compassion and humanization of
others, he stressed. The role of the sociologist therefore is to make others aware e of what Judith
Butler called the precariousness of life in self and other. Being cosmopolitan hence implies to
be, above all, to be social and ethical.

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In another work, Cosmopolitanism: Ethics in a World of Strangers, Kwame Anthony Appiah,
explained how social ethics seem to operate. His explanation lies on the social ethics that:
whatever obligation one might have to another, especially a foreign other, that obligation does
not supersede the obligations that the person have to those people most familiar to him or her.
However, Judith Butler asked, at what cost do one establish the familiar as the criterion; in
response, it was shown that it is at the point of valuing others.

Critics of cosmopolitanism have argued that some forms of cosmopolitanism have failed to
address the potential for economic colonization and exploitation by powerful countries over less
powerful ones. Frantz Fanon in his work, The Wretched of the Earth, observed that when nations
achieved independence from European colonizers, there was no system in place to secure their
economic future; thus, they became manager(s) for Western enterprise; consequently, in practice
setting up its country as the brothel of Europe.
He further argued that when ‘Third World’ nations are drawn into economic partnerships with
global capital, unarguably to improve their national quality of life, often the only ones benefitting
from this partnership are well-placed individuals and not the nation itself. Similarly, Mahmood
Mamdani in his work, Good Muslim, Bad Muslim suggests that the imposition of Western
cultural norms, democracy and Christianity has historically resulted in nationalist violence.

Appiah agreed that democracy has been a prerequisite for cosmopolitan intervention in
developing nations. Cosmopolitanism, in these instances, appears to be a new form of
colonization and imperialism: the powerful exploit the weak and the weak eventually fight back.
Cosmopolitanism had been said to put nationalism as the framework for sovereign nation-state
irrelevant.

With cosmopolitanism, some scholars have argued that the political system based on the nation-
state has become obsolete and that it is time to design a better and more efficient alternative.
Mosterin for instance had analyzed how the world political system should be organized in order
to maximize individual freedom and individual opportunity.

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Rejecting as topsy-turvy the metaphysical notion of free will, he focuses on political freedom,
the absence of coercion or interference by others in personal decisions. Because of the tendencies
to violence and aggression that lurk in human nature, some constraint had been put on freedom
for peaceful and fruitful social interaction; however, Mosterin argued that the more freedom you
enjoy the better social interaction you would have.

Mosterin demonstrated that there is no rational ground for curtailing the cultural freedoms of
peoples as it relates to language, religion and customs, in the name of the nation, the church or
the party. According to him, the Internet provides a much more attractive model for social
organization in contemporary times than the nation-state. Mosterin further argued that there is no
need for restraining the free circulation of people, ideas or goods.

Figure 9.5: Freedom Expression

Source: www.aristotleslackey.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/freedom-for-all.jpg

He postulated that the nation-state is indeed incompatible with the full development of freedom,
whose blossoming requires the reorganization of the world political system along cosmopolitan
lines. He proposed a world without sovereign nation-states, territorially organized in small
autonomous but not-sovereign partisan politics, complemented by strong world organizations.

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He emphasized the difference between international institutions, led by representatives of the
national governments, and world or universal institutions, with clearly defined aims served by
directors selected by their personal qualifications, independently of any national bias or
proportion. However, most propositions of cosmopolitanism had been criticized, with the
argument that any viable cosmopolitanism must be ‘rooted’ by means of a ‘global patriotism’ as
its base.

Appiah agreed that democracy has been a prerequisite for_____________?

Cosmopolitan intervention in developing nations

Summary of Study Session 9

In Study Session 9, you have learnt that:
1. The term globalization has recently emerged to refer to the appearance of an international
network of social and economic systems that depict processes that advance world-wide
exchanges of national and cultural resources.
2. It is important to note that humans have interacted over long distances for thousands of
years
3. The term globalization has been in increasing use since the mid-1980s. In Year 2000, the
International Monetary Fund (IMF) identified four basic aspects of globalization
4. Five dimensions of globalization. These include: economic, political, cultural, ecological,
and ideological
5. A number of contemporary theorists have proposed directly and indirectly, various ways
through which an individual can become cosmopolitan

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Self-Assessment Questions (SAQs) for Study Session 9
Now that you have completed this study session, you can assess how well you have achieved its
Learning outcomes by answering the following questions. Write your answers in your study
Diary and discuss them with your Tutor at the next! Support meeting. You can check your
answers with the Notes on the Self-Assessment questions at the end of this Module.

SAQ 9.1 (Tests Learning Outcomes 9.1)

For people and nations to have exchanged products and ideas, what could have happened?

SAQ 9.2 (Tests Learning Outcomes 9.2)

According to Anthony Giddens in his work, “The Consequences of Modernity”; kindly defined
globalization?

SAQ 9.3 (Tests Learning Outcomes 9.3)

According to the Five Dimensions of Globalization, explain “Cultural Globalization”

SAQ 9.4 (Tests Learning Outcomes 9.2)

The role of the sociologist is to make others aware of what Judith Butler called___________?

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Study Session 10 Sociological Metatheorizing

Introduction
Metatheorizing has emerged as one of the current developments in sociological theory. While
conventional sociologists and theorists take the social world as their subject matter; metatheorists
are involved in the systematic study of the underlying structure of sociological theory.
This Study Session will focus on Sociological Metatheorizing. You will learn the Concept of
Sociology and Metatheorizing, Varieties of Metatheorizing, and the Levels of Social Analysis.

Learning Outcomes for Study Session 10

When you have study this session, you should be able to:
10.1 Explain the Concept of Sociology and Metatheorizing (SAQ 10.1)
10.2 Describe Varieties of Metatheorizing (SAQ 10.2)
10.3 Discuss the Levels of Social Analysis (SAQ 10.3)

10.1 Concept of Sociology and Metatheorizing

It is worthy to note that sociologists are not the only ones involved in mata-analysis. They are not
the only ones involved in the reflective study of their own discipline. Other social scientists such
as psychologists, political scientists, and even philosophers and historian are involved in meta-
analysis.

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Figure 10.1: Meta- Analysis Commodity Behavious
Source: Distance Learning Centre, University of Ibadan

Metatheorizing in Sociology therefore refers to the reflective study of the discipline of Sociology
by sociologists. Meta-analysis in Sociology according to George Ritzer can be grouped under the
theme: metaSociology. MetaSociology is defined as the reflexive study of the underlying
structure of Sociology in general, as well as its various components.
This includes an analysis of substantive areas of the discipline (e.g. Sociology of work); concepts
(e.g. social structure); social research methods –efforts to synthesize sociological methods
(metamethods); and sociological data analysis (meta-data-analysis).
Do you think that it is only sociologists that are involved in mata-analysis?
“NO” Sociologists are not the only ones involved in mata-analysis

10.2 Varieties of Metatheorizing

Ritzer (2008) identified three varieties of metatheorizing. His definition of these varieties hinges
on the nature of the differences inherent in each of the variety. The following are the different
varieties (3) of metatheorizing that Ritzer identified:

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Table 10.1: The Different Three (3) Varieties of Metatheorizing
1 Metatheorizing as a means of This variety of metatheorizing according to Ritzer
attaining a deeper involves the study of sociological theory in order to
understanding of sociological produce a better, more profound understanding of extant
theory (MU) theory. Under this category, theorists are concerned with
the study of other theorists and their theories, and other
community of theorists, as well as the larger intellectual
and social contexts of theories and theorists.
2 Metatheorizing as a prelude This involves the study of extant theory in order to
to theory development (MP) produce new sociological theory.
3 Metatheorizing as a source of This variety of metatheorizing is oriented toward the
perspectives that overarch goal of producing a perspective, in other words, a
sociological theory (MO) metatheory, which overarches some part or all of
sociological theory.

Figure 10.2: Nature of the Differences Inherent in each of the Variety

Source: www.nature.com/nature/journal/v501/n7467/images/nature12624-f6.jpg

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Who identified three varieties of metatheorizing and when?
Ritzer (2008)

10.3 Levels of Social Analysis

Two continua of social reality had been identified as constituting useful and major levels of the
social world. These include:

Figure 10.3: Microscopic-Macroscopic Level of Social Analysis

Source: Distance Learning Centre, University of Ibadan
The basic assumption here is the simple idea that social phenomena vary greatly in size. Hence,
at the macro end of the continuum are such large-scalesocial phenomena such as groups of
societies (for example, the world capitalist system), societies and cultures.
Whilst at the micro end are individual actors and their thoughts and actions. In between is
believed to be a wide range of meso-level phenomena such as groups, collectivities, social
classes, and organizations.
A primary challenge of this level of social analysis is the fact that there are no clear dividing
lines between the micro social units and the macro units. There would be difficulty therefore to
recognize the distinctions when applying the micro-macro social analytical schema.

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Figure 10.3: The Pyramid of Capitalist System
Source: www.farm5.staticflickr.com/4136/4788168631_22f5bba7ee_o.jpg

Figure 10.3: Objective-Subjective Level of Social Analysis

Source: Distance Learning Centre, University of Ibadan

At the micro, or individual level, there are subjective mental processes of an actor and the
objective patterns of action and interaction in which the person engages him or herself.

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Subjective here implies what solely occurs in the realm of ideas; objective, relates to real,
material events.
The same differentiation is found at both the macro end of the continuum. A society is therefore
made up of objective structures such as bureaucracies, governments, and laws; and subjective
phenomena such as norms and values.

Summary of Study Session 10

In Study Session 10, you have learnt that:
1. Metatheorizing has emerged as one of the current developments in sociological theory.
While conventional sociologists and theorists take the social world as their subject
matter; metatheorists are involved in the systematic study of the underlying structure of
sociological theory
2. Metatheorizing in Sociology therefore refers to the reflective study of the discipline of
Sociology by sociologists
3. Ritzer (2008) identified three varieties of metatheorizing. His definition of these varieties
hinges on the nature of the differences inherent in each of the variety
4. Two continua of social reality had been identified as constituting useful and major levels
of the social world

Self-Assessment Questions (SAQs) for Study Session 10

Now that you have completed this study session, you can assess how well you have achieved its
Learning outcomes by answering the following questions. Write your answers in your study
Diary and discuss them with your Tutor at the next! Support meeting. You can check your
answers with the Notes on the Self-Assessment questions at the end of this Module.

SAQ 10.1 (Tests Learning Outcomes 10.1)

Metatheorizing in Sociology therefore refers to?

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SAQ 10.2 (Tests Learning Outcomes 10.2)
Metatheorizing as a means of attaining a deeper understanding of sociological theory (MU);
explain further according to the study

SAQ 10.3 (Tests Learning Outcomes 10.3)

Explain “Objective-Subjective Level of Social Analysis”

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Study Session 11 Feminist Theory

Introduction
In broad terms, feminist theory differs from most sociological theories in that it possessed an
interdisciplinary character involving works of an international community of scholars and other
activists. It is an unequivocal fact that feminist theories have severally produced a revolutionary
switch in our understanding of the world that previously holds men as ‘masters’.

The theory has helped to deconstruct established systems of knowledge by demonstrating the
masculinist biases and gender politics that have framed established knowledge systems in our
world. In this study, you will define feminist theory, and also providing a brief history of
feminism in the discipline of Sociology.

This Study Session will focus on Sociological Metatheorizing. You will learn the Concept of
Feminist Theory, the Historical Antecedents of Feminism, and the Toward a Feminist
Sociological Theory.

Learning Outcomes for Study Session 11

When you have study this session, you should be able to:
11.1 Explain the Concept of Feminist Theory (SAQ 11.1)
11.2 Discuss the Historical Antecedents of Feminism (SAQ 11.2)
11.3 Describe the Toward a Feminist Sociological Theory (SAQ 11.3)

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11.1 Concept of Feminist Theory

Feminist theory can be defined as a generalized, wide-ranging system of ideas about social life
and human experience developed from a woman-centred point of view. The feminist theory is
considered women-centred because of two obvious reasons: the start-point of all investigations
under this theory begins with exploring the conditions and experiences of women in society.

The other reason why the feminist theory is considered women-centred is because the theory
seeks to describe the social world from the distinctive point of view of women.

Figure 11.1: Women-Centered Flow

Source: Distance Learning Centre, University of Ibadan

What is the other reason why the feminist theory is considered women-centred?

The theory seeks to describe the social world from the distinctive point of view of women

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11.2 Historical Antecedents of Feminism

Ritzer (2008) had shown that in one sense or the other, there has always been a feminist
perspective. Especially where are subordinated, and they have been subordinated almost always
and everywhere, they seem to have recognized this subordination and have protested in some
form. From the Western point of view, the formal dating of feminism is said to begin with
published works of women protests.

Figure 11.2: Women Protests

Source: www.upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b5/National_Women's_Day.jpg

It is worthy to note that the record of feminism is not one of steady, uninterrupted development.
However, the high points of feminist activity and writing occurred during the liberationist
periods of modern Western history that is around the 1780s and 1790s.

The history of feminist mobilization is divided into the periods, known also as waves:

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Table 11.1: The Waves History of Feminist Mobilization
1 First Wave Feminism In the United States of America especially, this period of
feminist mobilization was focused on women’s struggle for
political rights, particularly the right to vote. This period is
marked by two important dates – 1848, when the first
women’s rights convention was held in New York; and 1920,
when the 19th Amendment gave women the right to vote.
2 Second Wave Feminism This period is said to occur between 1960-1990. It is a period
where women worked to translate their basic political rights
into economic and social equality and to re-conceptualize
relations between men and women with the concept and
notion of ‘gender’.
3 Third Wave Feminism This period of women mobilization described feminist ideas
of the generation of women who will live their adult life in the
twenty-first century.

“Record of feminism is one of steady, uninterrupted development”. True or False?

“FALSE” Record of feminism is not one of steady, uninterrupted development

11.3 Toward a Feminist Sociological Theory

In recent times, feminist Sociology has begun to create a general sociological theory focused on
the problems of structure and agency, the micro and macro linkage, the nature of power,
inequality, and social change. These analyses understand social life as an ongoing process of
enactments of oppression and responses to oppression.
Feminists are also developing a vocabulary that allows feminist theorists to consider how the
everyday lives of women are patterned by structural inequality. This emergent feminist theory
views human agents as living and acting within a complex field of power that they are
determined by and that in their agency they both reproduced and contest.

89
Feminists are developing a vocabulary that allows feminist theorists to____________?

Consider how the everyday lives of women are patterned by structural inequality.

Summary of Study Session 11

In Study Session 11, you have learnt that:
1. In broad terms, feminist theory differs from most sociological theories in that it possessed
an interdisciplinary character involving works of an international community of scholars
and other activists
2. Feminist theory can be defined as a generalized, wide-ranging system of ideas about
social life and human experience developed from a woman-centred point of view
3. Ritzer (2008) had shown that in one sense or the other, there has always been a feminist
perspective
4. In recent times, feminist Sociology has begun to create a general sociological theory
focused on the problems of structure and agency, the micro and macro linkage, the nature
of power, inequality, and social change

Self-Assessment Questions (SAQs) for Study Session 11

Now that you have completed this study session, you can assess how well you have achieved its
Learning outcomes by answering the following questions. Write your answers in your study
Diary and discuss them with your Tutor at the next! Support meeting. You can check your
answers with the Notes on the Self-Assessment questions at the end of this Module.

SAQ 11.1 (Tests Learning Outcomes 11.1)

Define Feminist Theory

SAQ 11.2 (Tests Learning Outcomes 11.2)

Explain “Second Wave Feminism”
SAQ 11.3 (Tests Learning Outcomes 11.2)
Emergent feminist theory views human agents’ as_____________________?

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Study Session 12 Feminism’s Basic Theoretical Questions

Introduction
The impulse for contemporary feminist theory is believed to begin with a seemingly deceptive
question: ‘and what about the women?’

This Study Session will focus on Feminism’s Basic Theoretical Questions. You will learn the
Concept of Feminism’s Basic Theoretical Questions, and the Three (3) Feminism’s Basic
Theoretical Questions.

Learning Outcomes for Study Session 12

When you have study this session, you should be able to:
12.1 Explain the Concept of Feminism’s Basic Theoretical Questions (SAQ 12.1)
12.2 Discuss the Three (3) Feminism’s Basic Theoretical Questions (SAQ 12.2)

12.1 Concept of Feminism’s Basic Theoretical Questions

It is interesting to note here that feminist theory is not just about women, nor its major project the
creation of a middle-range theory of gender relations. Instead, Karl Marx’s epistemological
position clearly showed that the knowledge people have of society, what they assume to be an
absolute and universal statement about reality reflects the experience of those who economically
and politically rule the world.

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Figure 12.1 Karl Marx’s
Source: www.biography.com/imported/images/Biography/Images/Profiles/M/Karl-Marx-
9401219-1-402.jpg

Feminism’s basic theoretical questions have indeed produced a revolutionary turn in our
understanding of the world. Meaning that what we have often taken as universal and absolute
knowledge of the world is in fact, knowledge derived from the experiences of a powerful section
of society, which portrays men as ‘masters’.

Likewise, this knowledge is re-interpreted and re-construed when viewed from the vantage point
of a hitherto invisible, unacknowledged ‘underdog’, women, who in ‘subordinated but
indispensable ‘serving’ roles have worked to sustain and re-create our world. This discovery no
doubt largely raises questions about everything we thought we have known about society, and its
implications constitute the relevance of contemporary feminist theory’s essence for sociological
theory.

Feminist theory it is about women, and its major project the creation of a middle-range
theory of gender relations. True or False?

Feminist theory is not just about women, nor its major project the creation of a middle-
range theory of gender relations

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12.2 The Three (3) Feminism’s Basic Theoretical Questions
The three (3) Basic Feminism Theoretical Questions are as follow;

12.2.1 First Basic Question for Feminists

The first basic question for feminists as stated earlier is ‘…and what about the women’ (Ritzer,
2008). What is means is that where are the women in any given situation being investigated?
How are they experiencing or have experienced the situation? What contribution has they made
to the situation? What value does this contribution mean to these women? In the past years, there
have been generalized answers to this first basic theoretical question of feminism.

Answers hinge on the fact that women are indeed present in most social situations; nonetheless,
where they are not present, it is not because they lack ability or interest but because there have
been deliberate efforts to exclude them. The feminist theory holds that although women are
actively present in most social situations, the publics – both men and women- have been blind to
their presence.

Moreover, women’s role in most social situations, though essential, has been different from, less
privileged than, and subordinate to the roles of men. This invisibility is in fact, one of the
indicators of this inequality.
The feminist theory holds that although women are actively present in most social
situations, the publics___________?

Both men and women- have been blind to their presence

12.2.2 Second Basic Question for Feminists

The second basic theoretical question of feminism is, “Why is all this as it is?” In answering this
question, feminist theory has produced the concept of gender.

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Box 12.1. Distinctions Between Biologically and Socially
Feminist theorists have made it possible for people to see the distinctions between
(i) Biologically determined attributes associated with male and female; and
(ii) Socially learned behaviours associated with masculinity and femininity.
They have distinguished these socially learned behaviours of masculinity and femininity by
calling these behaviours gender-based behaviour.

Although there are varieties of debates as regards what gender really mean; on the whole, a
starting point of agreement among all these debates is an understanding of gender as a social
construction, something not emanating from nature but created by people as part of the processes
of group life.

Biologically determines __________?

Attributes associated with male and female

12.2.3 Third Basic Question for Feminists

The third feminist basic theoretical question is “How can we change and improve the social
world so as to make it a more just place for all people?” Feminism indeed shares the
commitment of critical social theory that seeks for social transformation in society for the
interest of justice. The commitment here lies on how feminist believe their work will help to
improve the daily lives of the people they study.

On the whole, there is a fourth feminist question which feminist theorists have recently raised:
“And what about the differences among women?” The answers to this question have led to the
general conclusion that the invisibility, inequality and role differences in relation to men which
generally characterized women’s lives are profoundly affected by a woman’s social location –
that is, by her class, race, age, affectional preference, marital status, religion, ethnicity, and
global location.

94
The third feminist basic theoretical question is?

“How can we change and improve the social world so as to make it a more just place for
all people?”

Summary of Study Session 12

In Study Session 12, you have learnt that:
1. In broad terms, feminist theory differs from most sociological theories in that it possessed
an interdisciplinary character involving works of an international community of scholars
and other activists
2. Feminist theory can be defined as a generalized, wide-ranging system of ideas about
social life and human experience developed from a woman-centred point of view
3. Ritzer (2008) had shown that in one sense or the other, there has always been a feminist
perspective
4. In recent times, feminist Sociology has begun to create a general sociological theory
focused on the problems of structure and agency, the micro and macro linkage, the nature
of power, inequality, and social change

Self-Assessment Questions (SAQs) for Study Session 12

Now that you have completed this study session, you can assess how well you have achieved its
Learning outcomes by answering the following questions. Write your answers in your study
Diary and discuss them with your Tutor at the next! Support meeting. You can check your
answers with the Notes on the Self-Assessment questions at the end of this Module.

SAQ 12.1 (Tests Learning Outcomes 12.1)

Feminism’s basic theoretical questions have indeed produced a revolutionary turn in our
understanding of the world. Meaning that what _______?

95
SAQ 12.2 (Tests Learning Outcomes 12.2)
Feminism indeed shares the commitment of critical social theory that seeks for social
transformation in society for the interest of justice. The commitment is?

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Study Session 13 Feminists and Mainstream Sociology

Introduction
It is worthy note that the contributions, roles and experiences of women were not a major part of
sociological theory and social research for the most part of the history of Sociology. This means
that traditional sociological theories included little that was relevant to the issue of gender
inequality.

This Study Session will focus on Feminists and Mainstream Sociology. You will learn about the
women sociologists who had made significant contributions to Sociology and how they were
marginalized by the men who dominated the discipline.

Learning Outcomes for Study Session 13

When you have study this session, you should be able to:
13.1 Explain the Harriet Martineau (1802-1876) Contributions (SAQ 13.1)
13.2 Explain the Jessie Shirley Bernard (1903-1996) Contributions (SAQ 13.2)
13.3 Explain the Patricia Hill Collins Contributions (SAQ 13.3)

13.1 Harriet Martineau (1802-1876) Contributions

Harriet Martineau was an English social theorist, often regarded as the first female sociologist.
She wrote about 35 books and a multitude of essays from a feminine perspective. She also
translated various works of Auguste Comte. She held the view that ‘when one studies a society,
one must focus on all its aspects, including key political, religious, and social institutions".
She believed a thorough sociological analysis was necessary to understand woman's status.
While she was commonly described as having a masculine intellect, Martineau introduced
feminist sociological perspectives in her writing on otherwise overlooked issues such as
marriage, children, domestic and religious life, and race relations.

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Figure 13.1 Harriet Martineau (1802-1876)
Source: www.i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01845/katemiddleton_1845748c.jpg

Harriet Martineau was __________ theorist, often regarded as the?

English social theorist and the first female sociologist

13.2 Jessie Shirley Bernard (1903-1996) Contributions

Jessie Bernard was a sociologist and a distinguished feminist scholar. She was a persistent
forerunner of feminist thought in American Sociology and her life's work is characterized as
extraordinarily productive spanning several intellectual and political eras.

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Figure 13.2 Jessie Shirley Bernard (1903-1996)
Source: www.ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/516i7nAGYYL._AA160_.jpg
Bernard studied and wrote about women's lives since the late 1930s and her contributions to
Sociology and feminist theory regarding women, sex, marriage, and the interaction with the
family and community are well acknowledged. Jessie Bernard viewed works as a movement
towards contemporary feminism or what she also referred to as the feminist enlightenment.
Since the mid-1940s, Jessie's focus was to increase understanding of the effects of sexism on
women's experience of marriage, parenting, education and economic life. This ultimately formed
the largest part of her contributions to Sociology and feminist theory.
Bernard viewed works as a movement towards contemporary feminism; what does she
referred it as?

The feminist enlightenment

13.3 Patricia Hill Collins Contributions
Patricia Collins is currently a Distinguished University Professor of Sociology at the University
of Maryland.

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Figure 13.3 Patricia Hill Collins
Source: www.gse.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/patricia_hill_collins.jpg
She work is primarily concerned with issues involving feminism and gender within the African-
American community. In her work ‘Black Feminist Thought: Knowledge, Consciousness and
the Politics of Empowerment’ published in 1990, she analyzed a wide range of issues including
fiction, poetry, music and oral history. Collin's work concluded with three central claims; that

Box 13.1. Collin's Work Concluded with Three Central Claims

• Oppressions of race, class, gender, sexuality and nation are intersecting, mutually
constructing systems of power. Collins utilizes the term ‘intersectionality’, to refer to
multiple forms of oppression.
• Because Black women have unique histories at the intersections of systems of power, they
have created world views out of a need for self-definition and to work on behalf of social
justice.
• Black women's specific experiences with intersecting systems of oppression provide a
window into these same processes for other individuals and social groups.

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Summary of Study Session 13
In Study Session 13, you have learnt that:
1. In broad terms, feminist theory differs from most sociological theories in that it possessed
an interdisciplinary character involving works of an international community of scholars
and other activists
2. Feminist theory can be defined as a generalized, wide-ranging system of ideas about
social life and human experience developed from a woman-centred point of view
3. Ritzer (2008) had shown that in one sense or the other, there has always been a feminist
perspective
4. In recent times, feminist Sociology has begun to create a general sociological theory
focused on the problems of structure and agency, the micro and macro linkage, the nature
of power, inequality, and social change

Self-Assessment Questions (SAQs) for Study Session 13

Now that you have completed this study session, you can assess how well you have achieved its
Learning outcomes by answering the following questions. Write your answers in your study
Diary and discuss them with your Tutor at the next! Support meeting. You can check your
answers with the Notes on the Self-Assessment questions at the end of this Module.

SAQ 13.1 (Tests Learning Outcomes 13.1)

Martineau introduced feminist sociological perspectives in her writing______? Fill the gap.

SAQ 13.2 (Tests Learning Outcomes 13.2)

Since mid-1940s, Jessie's focus was to increase understanding of the effects of sexism. How?

SAQ 13.3 (Tests Learning Outcomes 13.3)

In Patricia Collins work ‘Black Feminist Thought: Knowledge, Consciousness and the Politics
of Empowerment’ published in 1990, she analyzed a wide range of issues including_____?

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Study Session 14 Varieties of Feminist Theory

Introduction
Feminists believe that women are oppressed simple due to their sexuality and due the dominant
ideology of patriarchy. Arguments of feminists dwell on the fact that ridding society of
patriarchy will result in liberation for women, men, minorities, and gays.
This Study Session will focus on Varieties of Feminist Theory. You will learn the Feminism
Ideology, Radical Feminism, Liberal Feminism, Socialist Feminism, Cultural Feminism, and
Ecofeminism.

Learning Outcomes for Study Session 14

When you have study this session, you should be able to:
14.1 Explain the Feminism Ideology (SAQ 14.1)
14.2 Discuss the Radical Feminism Theory (SAQ 14.2)
14.3 Describe the Liberal Feminism Theory (SAQ 14.3)
14.4 Discuss the Socialist Feminism Theory (14.4)
14.5 Explain the Cultural Feminism Theory (SAQ 14.5)
14.6 Understand the Ecofeminism Theory (SAQ 14.6)

14.1 Feminism Ideology

As stated earlier, feminism is the organized movement which promotes equality for men and
women in political, economic and social spheres. Feminists believe that women are oppressed
simple due to their sexuality and due to the dominant ideology of patriarchy. Arguments of
feminists dwell on the fact that ridding society of patriarchy will result in liberation for women,
men, minorities, and gays.

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Figure 14.1 Equality for Men and Women in Political, Economic and Social Spheres
Source: www.upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e8/Ati_woman.jpg

Patriarchy is the system which oppresses women through its social, economic and political
institutions. Throughout history men have had greater power in both the public and private
spheres. To maintain this power, men often create boundaries and obstacles for women, thus
making it hard for women to access and hold power. There is an unequal access to power.
Patriarchy also includes the oppression of minorities and homosexuals.
Feminism ideology has taken many different forms. In recent times, there are as many
definitions of feminism as there are feminists. Each definition of feminism depends on a number
of factors including one's beliefs, history and culture. The following are some of the varieties of
feminist theory.
What is the effect of Patriarchy System to Women?

Patriarchy is the system which oppresses women through its social, economic and
political institutions.

14.2 Radical Feminism

Radical feminism promotes the basis for many of the ideas of feminism. Feminists here usually
disagree with the ideals of the liberal feminists, because radical feminists believe that society
must be changed at its core in order to dissolve patriarchy, not just through acts of legislation.

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Unfortunately, this type of feminism also attracts a lot of negative media attention creating
criticism of feminism.
Radical feminists believe that the domination of women is the oldest and worst kind of
oppression in the world. They believe this because it spans across the world oppressing women
of different races, ethnicities, classes and cultures. Radical feminists want to free both men and
women from the rigid gender roles that society has imposed upon them.

Figure 14.2: Oppressed Women (Raped Victims)

Source: www.upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/db/DRC_raped_women.jpg

Radical feminist believe that it is the sex-gender system that has created oppression; thus, radical
feminist's mission is to overthrow this system by any possible means. Sometimes radical
feminists believe that they must rage a war against men-patriarchy, and the gender system which
confines them to rigid social roles. They completely reject these roles, all aspects of patriarchy,
and in some cases, they reject men as well.
Radical feminists emphasize their difference from men. They usually form groups that exclude
males completely. This type of feminist highlights the importance of individual feelings,
experiences and relationships. Radical feminists have divided into two groups with very different
views. These include radical-libertarian feminism and radical-cultural feminism.

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Figure 14.2: Radical-Libertarian Feminism and Radical-Cultural Feminism
Source: Distance Learning Centre, University of Ibadan

14.3 Liberal Feminism

Liberal feminism was most popular in the 1950's and 1960's during the period of civil rights
movements. The main view of liberal feminists is that all people are created equal by God and
deserve equal rights. These feminists believe that oppression exists because of the way in which
men and women are socialized, which supports patriarchy and keeps men in power positions.

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Figure 14.3: Liberalism (Natural Rights Liberal Thinkers use to Justify Revolution)
Source:
www.upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/eb/Women's_March_on_Versailles01.jpg

Liberal feminists believe that women have the same mental capacity as their male counterparts
and should be given the same opportunities in political, economic and social spheres. Women
should have the right to choose, not have their life chosen for them because of their sex.
Essentially, women must be like men.
Liberal feminists create and support acts of legislation that remove the barriers for women.
These acts of legislation demand equal opportunities and rights for women, including equal
access to jobs and equal pay. Liberal feminists believe that removing these barriers directly
challenges the ideologies of patriarchy, as well as liberates women.
Liberal feminists are responsible for many important acts of legislation that have greatly
increased the status of women, including reforms in welfare, education and health.
Unfortunately, liberal feminism has been known to only concentrate on the legislation aspect in
the fight against patriarchy. It has been criticized for not breaking down the deeper ideologies of
society and patriarchy. Also, it has been criticized for ignoring race and class issues.
Liberal feminists believe that women have the same mental capacity as their male
counterparts and should be ________?

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Given the same opportunities in political, economic and social spheres

14.4 Socialist Feminism

Socialist feminists believe that there is a direct link between class structure and the oppression
of women. They believe that society rewards working men because they produce tangible,
tradable goods. On the other hand, women's work in the domestic sphere is not valued by the
capitalist society because women do not produce a tangible, tradable good. This gives men
power and control over women.

Figure 14.4: Social Women

Source: www.regalrealness.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/group-of-african-american-
women.jpg
Socialist feminists reject the idea that biology predetermines ones gender. Social roles are not
inherent and women's status must change in both the public and private spheres. Socialist
feminists also challenge ideologies of capitalism and patriarchy. Much like the views of radical
feminists, socialist feminists believe that although women are divided by class, race, ethnicity
and religion, they all experience the same oppression simply for being a woman.
Socialist feminist believe that the way to end this oppression is to put an end to class and gender.
Women must work side by side men in the political sphere. In order to get anything
accomplished, women must work with men, as opposed to ostracizing them. There must be a
coalition between the two and they must see each other as equals in all spheres of life. In contrast
to ideals of liberal feminism, which tend to focus on the individual woman, the socialist feminist
theory focuses on the broader context of social relations in the community and includes aspects

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of race, ethnicity and other differences.
“Socialist feminists believe that there is a direct link between class structure and the
oppression of women” True or False?

TRUE

14.5 Cultural Feminism

Cultural feminists believe that there are fundamental, biological differences between men and
women, and that women should celebrate these differences. Women are inherently more kind
and gentle. Cultural feminists believe that because of these differences, if women ruled the world
there would be no more war and it would be a better place. Essentially, a woman's way is the
right and better way for everyone.
Theorists attempt to categorize that Western society values male thought and the ideas of
independence, hierarchy, competition and domination. While the female values ideas such as
interdependence, cooperation, relationships, community, sharing, joy, trust and peace.
Unfortunately, says the cultural feminist, these ideas are not valued in contemporary western
societies. Cultural feminists are usually non-political, instead focusing on individual change and
influencing or transforming society through this individual change. They usually advocate for a
separate female counter-culture as a way to change society but not completely disconnect from
the men.
Cultural feminists are usually non-political, instead its ______?

Focusing on individual change and influencing or transforming society through this

individual change

14.6 Ecofeminism
Eco-feminists believe that patriarchy and male domination is harmful to women, as well as the
physical environment and ecosystem. They argue that there is a link between a male's desire to
dominate unruly women and the environment. Eco-feminists show that men believe that they
must tame and conquer both in order to have complete power.
Hence, ecofeminists argue that it is this desire that destroys both women and the Earth.

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Ecofeminists believe that women have a central role in preserving nature because woman
understand and are one with nature. There is a deep connection that men cannot understand
between the Earth and women, hence the terms Mother Nature or Mother Earth. Ecofeminist
believe women need to use their superior insight to reveal how humans can live in harmony with
each other and with nature.
Ecofeminist believe women need to use their superior insight to reveal how
________?

Humans can live in harmony with each other and with nature

Summary of Study Session 14

In Study Session 14, you have learnt that:
1. Feminists believe that women are oppressed simple due to their sexuality and due the
dominant ideology of patriarchy
2. Patriarchy is the system which oppresses women through its social, economic and
political institutions
3. Radical feminists believe that the domination of women is the oldest and worst kind of
oppression in the world
4. Liberal feminism was most popular in the 1950's and 1960's during the period of civil
rights movements.
5. Socialist feminists believe that there is a direct link between class structure and the
oppression of women
6. Cultural feminists believe that there are fundamental, biological differences between men
and women, and that women should celebrate these differences
7. Eco-feminists believe that patriarchy and male domination is harmful to women, as well
as the physical environment and ecosystem

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Self-Assessment Questions (SAQs) for Study Session 14
Now that you have completed this study session, you can assess how well you have achieved its
Learning outcomes by answering the following questions. Write your answers in your study
Diary and discuss them with your Tutor at the next! Support meeting. You can check your
answers with the Notes on the Self-Assessment questions at the end of this Module.

SAQ 14.1 (Tests Learning Outcomes 14.1)

1. Define feminists?
2. What is patriarchy?

SAQ 14.2 (Tests Learning Outcomes 14.2)

1. Explian radical feminists
2. Radical feminists have divided into two groups with very different views, what are the
groups?

SAQ 14.3 (Tests Learning Outcomes 14.3)

1. ________ believe that women have the same mental capacity as their male counterparts and
should be given the same opportunities in political, economic and social spheres.
2. Briefly explain the main view of liberal feminists

SAQ 14.4 (Tests Learning Outcomes 14.4)

1. Discuss socialist feminists

2. Socialist feminist believe that the way to end this oppression is to put an end to_____

and_______

SAQ 14.5 (Tests Learning Outcomes 14.5)

1. In cultural feminist, ______ attempt to categorize that Western society values male thought
and the ideas of independence, hierarchy, competition and domination. While the female values
ideas such as interdependence, cooperation, relationships, community, sharing, joy, trust and
peace.

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2. Cultural feminists believe that there are_____ and ______ between men and women, and that
women should celebrate these differences.

SAQ 14.6 (Tests Learning Outcomes 14.6)

According to the study, kindly define Eco-feminists?

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Study Session 15 Postmodern Social Theory

Introduction
In recent years, most scholars believed that society is now postmodern. The fundamental nexus
of their thinking lies on the fact that not only that these latest developments in art, architecture,
Sociology and literature for instance, come after the modern, but that there are problems with the
modern that the postmodernists are pointing out and endeavouring to tackle.

All the classical and modern sociological theories discussed in the preceding lectures are indeed
very important and will continue to be important and relevant. Nevertheless, postmodern social
theory is having an increasingly significant impact on sociological theory.

This Study Session examines developments on postmodern social theory, its theoretical
perspectives and theorists, its theoretical perspectives and theorists. You will learn the concept
of Metanarratives and why is the concept of Hermeneutic circle relevant in postmodern social
theory?

Learning Outcomes for Study Session 15

When you have studied this session, you should be able to:
1.1 Explain the Concept of Metanarratives (SAQ 15.1)
1.2 Discuss the Concept of Hermeneutic Circle Relevant (SAQ15.2)

15.1 Concept of Metanarratives

Whilst many sociologists, and some sociological theories continue to undermine postmodern
social theory; however, the fact remains that postmodern social theory can no longer be ignored.
It would be vital for us to show the difference between sociological theories and social theories.
Pointedly, sociological theories tend to reflect developments that have occurred largely within
the discipline of Sociology and that are of interest mainly by sociologists. On the other hand,

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social theories tend to be multidisciplinary. The difference between sociological and social
theory is not really clear-cut.

Figure 15.1: Concept of Metanarratives

Source:
www.metanarrative.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/pomdsm.jpg%3Fw%3D392%26h%3D318

Box 15.1. The Difference Between Sociological Theories and Social Theories
Sociological theories tend to reflect developments that have occurred largely within the
discipline of Sociology and that are of interest mainly by sociologists. On the other hand, social
theories tend to be multidisciplinary
Look again at the concept of metanarratives, differentiate between sociological theories
and social theories

Sociological theories tend to reflect developments that have occurred largely within the
discipline of Sociology and that are of interest mainly by sociologists. On the other hand,
social theories tend to be multidisciplinary

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15.2 The Concept of Hermeneutic Circle Relevant in Postmodern Social
Theory
It is important to note that there is great diversity among postmodern thinkers; hence, it is pretty
difficult to offer generalizations on which the majority of them would agree. Smart (1993) had
differentiated three postmodernist thinking or positions.

15.2.1 The Postmodern Thinking

According to him, the first, extreme position holds that there has been a radical rupture in
society; thus, modern society has been replaced by a postmodern society. Proponents of this
point of view include scholars like Jean Baudrillard (Armitage, 2005); Genosko, etc.
The second position of postmodern thinking is that although a change has taken place,
postmodernism has grown out and is continuing with modernism. Adherents of this position
include Marxian thinkers like Fredric Jameson, Ernesto Laclau and other postmodern feminists
such as Nancy Fraser.
Finally, there is the position adopted by Smart himself, who, rather than viewing modernism and
postmodernism as epochs, this position advocates that both modernism and postmodernism
should be viewed as being engaged in a long-running and on-going set of relationships, with
postmodernism continually pointing out the limitation of postmodernism.
Though useful, Smart’s typology had been severally criticized by most postmodernists as they
argued that this typology has simplified and greatly diversified their ideas and distorting their
ideas in the process.

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Figure15.2: Postmodern Thinking
Source: www.grist.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/the-thinker-statue-flickr-satyakam-khadikar-
480.jpg

According to the study, the second position of postmodern thinking states that……..

Although a change has taken place, postmodernism has grown out and is continuing with
modernism

15.2.2 Some Influential Postmodern Thinkers

Some Influential Postmodern Thinkers are as follow;
Martin Heidegger (1889-1976)
Martin Heidegger is well known for rejecting the philosophical basis of the concepts of
subjectivity and objectivity. He asserted that similar grounding oppositions in logic ultimately
refer to one another. In place of these concepts in our understanding of social reality; Heidegger
advocated an active process of elucidation of which he called the Hermeneutic Circle. This
process according to him stressed the historicity and cultural construction of concepts while
simultaneously promoting the necessity of a temporal and an essential understanding of them.

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Figure 15.3: Martin Heidegger
Source: www.pictures2.todocoleccion.net/tc/2009/10/05/15226750.jpg

In this vein, he asserted that it was the task of contemporary sociological theorists to recover the
original question of ‘Being-in-the-World’. He further showed that this can be done be we asking
what constitutes the grounding conditions in ourselves and in the World. Heidegger shares an
affinity with the late Romantic philosopher, Friedrich Nietzsche, a prominent proponent of Post-
structuralism and Postmodernist thought.

Heidegger’s influence on postmodernist thinkers dwells mostly in his critique of the subject-
object or sense-knowledge division implicit in Rationalism, Empiricism and Methodological
Naturalism. Another influence is his repudiation of the idea that facts exist outside or separately
from the process of thinking and speaking these facts.

Heidegger’s influence on postmodernist thinkers; how?

He dwells mostly in his critique of the subject-object or sense-knowledge division

implicit in Rationalism, Empiricism and Methodological Naturalism

Jacques Derrida (1930-2004)

Derrida re-examined the fundamentals of writing and its consequences on philosophy in general
and sociological theory in particular. He sought to undermine the language of the 'presence' as a

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point of departure from Heidegger's notion of Deconstruction. Derrida utilized, like Heidegger,
references that articulated the notion of implicit circularity between premises and conclusions,
origins and manifestations.

Figure 15.4: Jacques Derrida

Source: www.humanities.uci.edu/remembering_jd/derrida.jpg

Michel Foucault (1926-1984)

Foucault introduced concepts to sociological theory; concepts such as ‘discursive regime’.
Likewise, he also re-invoked concepts of older philosophers and other social theorists. Such
concepts include concepts like ‘episteme’ and ‘genealogy’. He used these concepts to explain the
relationship that involves phenomena like meaning, power, and social behaviour within social
orders.

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Figure 15.5: Michel Foucault
Source: www.critical-theory.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/young-foucault.jpg
In direct opposition to what have been typified as Modernist perspectives on epistemology,
Foucault argued that rational judgment, social practice and what he called 'bio-power' are not
only inseparable but co-determinant.
While Foucault himself was deeply involved in a number of progressive political causes and
maintained close personal ties with members of the far-Left, he was also controversial with
Leftist thinkers of his day, including those associated with various strains of Marxism for his
rejection of what he deemed to be Enlightenment concepts of freedom, liberation, self-
determination and human nature.
Instead, Foucault focused on the ways in which such constructs had fostered cultural hegemony,
violence and exclusion. Foucault was known for his controversial beliefs, such as ‘language is
oppression’, meaning that language functions in such a way as to render nonsensical, false or
silent tendencies that might otherwise threaten or undermine the distributions of power backing a
society's conventions - even when such distributions purport to celebrate liberation and
expression or value minority groups and perspectives. His writings have had a major influence
on the larger body of postmodern academic literature.

While Foucault was deeply involved in a number of progressive political causes and
maintained close personal ties with members of the far-Left, he was also controversial
with?
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Leftist thinkers of his day, including those associated with various strains of Marxism for
his rejection of what he deemed to be Enlightenment concepts of freedom, liberation,
self-determination and human nature

Jean-Francois Lyotard (1924-1998)

Lyotard identified a crisis in the ‘discourses of the Human Sciences’ which is traceable to the
advent of the ‘computerized’ or ‘telematic’ era. To academia, this crisis affects both the
motivations and justification procedures for making research claims. He claim that values that
have validated the basic efforts of academic research since the late 18th century might no longer
be valid, especially in Social Science & Humanities research.
As formal conjecture about real-world issues becomes inextricably linked to automated
calculation, information storage and retrieval, such knowledge becomes increasingly
‘exteriorised’ from its knowers in the form of information. Knowledge is then materialized and
made into a commodity exchanged between producers and consumers; it ceases to be either an
idealistic end-in-itself or a tool capable of bringing about liberty or social benefit; it is stripped of
its humanistic and spiritual associations, its connection with education, teaching and human
development, being simply rendered as ‘data’ - omnipresent, material, unending and without any
contexts or pre-requisites.

Figure 15.6: Jean-Francois Lyotard

Source: www.stumblingthroughtheology.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/lyotard.jpg

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Furthermore, the 'diversity' of claims made by various disciplines assume the status of lacking
any unifying principle or intuition; as objects of study become more and more specialized due to
the emphasis on specificity, precision and uniformity of reference that competitive, database-
oriented research implies. The value-premises upholding academic research have been
maintained by what Lyotard considers to be quasi-mythological beliefs about human purpose,
human reason and human progress.
He considered this too large a background for understanding human relations, he called these
large-backgrounds, ‘Metanarratives’. Lyotard showed that these Metanarratives still remain in
Western society but are now being undermined by rapid Informatization and the
commercialization of the University and its functions.
The shift of authority from the presence and intuition of knowers - from the good-faith of Reason
to seek diverse knowledge integrated for human benefit or truth fidelity - to the automated
database and the market had, in Lyotard's view, the power to unravel the very idea of
'justification' or 'legitimation' and, with it, the rationale for research altogether - especially in
disciplines pertaining to human life, society and meaning.
We are now controlled not by binding extra-linguistic value paradigms defining notions of
collective identity and ultimate purpose, but rather by our automatic responses to different
species of ‘language games’. In his vision of a solution to this situation, Lyotard opposes the
assumptions of university, consensus, and generality that he identified within the thought of
Humanistic, Neo-Kantian philosophers like Jurgen Habermas and he then proposed a
continuation of experimentation and diversity to be assessed pragmatically in the context of
language games rather than via appeal to a resurrected series of transcendentals and metaphysical
unities.
The value-premises upholding academic research have been maintained by what Lyotard
considers to be?

Quasi-mythological beliefs about human purpose, human reason and human progress

Richard Rorty (1931-2007)

Rorty argues that contemporary sociological theory and analytic philosophy mistakenly imitates
scientific methods. In addition, he denounces the traditional epistemological perspectives of

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Representationalism and Correspondence theory that rely upon the independence of knowers and
observers from phenomena and the passivity of natural phenomena in relation to consciousness.

Figure 15.7: Richard Rorty

Source: www.sites.uci.edu/ucisca/files/2010/08/Rorty-photo.jpg
As a proponent of anti-foundationalism and anti-essentialism within a Pragmatic framework, he
resonate postmodern strains of Conventionalism and Philosophical Relativism, but opposed
much of postmodern thinking with his commitment to Social Liberalism.

Jean Baudrillard (1929-2007)

Baudrillard introduced the notion that reality or the principle of the ‘Real’ is short-circuited by
the interchangeability of signs in an era where communicative and semantic acts are dominated
by electronic media and digital technologies. Baudrillard proposed that, in such a state, where
subjects are detached from the outcomes of events (political, literary, artistic, personal, or
otherwise), events no longer hold any particular sway on the subject nor have any identifiable
context; they therefore have the effect of producing widespread indifference, detachment, and
passivity in industrialized populations.
Thus, he claimed that a constant stream of appearances and references without any direct
consequences to viewers or readers could eventually render the division between appearance and
object indiscernible, resulting, ironically, in the ‘disappearance’ of mankind in what is, in effect,
a virtual or holographic state, composed only of appearances.

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Figure 15.8: Jean Baudrillard
Source: www.artsandopinion.com/2003_v2_n5/volume_images/baudrillard-self.jpg

Baudrillard proposed that, in such a state, where subjects are detached from the outcomes
of events, what happen to events?

Events no longer hold any particular sway on the subject nor have any identifiable
context; they therefore have the effect of producing widespread indifference, detachment,
and passivity in industrialized populations

Fredric Jameson (born 1934)

Jameson set forth one of the first expansive theoretical treatments of postmodernism by showing
it as a historical period, intellectual trend and social phenomenon. Extensive in his methodology,
Jameson has continued a sustained examination of the role that periodization continues to play as
a grounding assumption of critical methodologies in Humanities disciplines.

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Figure 15.9: Fredric Jameson
Source: www.versobooks.com/system/images/1032/original/Fredric-Jameson.jpg

He has contributed extensive effort to explicating the importance of concepts of Utopianism and
Utopia as driving forces in the cultural and intellectual movements of Modernity, and outlining
the political and existential uncertainties that may result from the decline or suspension of this
trend in the theorized state of Postmodernity.

Douglas Kellner (born 1943)

In the work ‘Analysis of the Journey’, Kellner insisted that the ‘assumptions and procedures of
modern theory’ must be forgotten. He believed that what sits at the base of the definition of
postmodernism are terms like advancement, innovation, and adaptation. Extensively, Kellner
analyzed the terms of this theory in real life experiences and examples.
Kellner used science and technology studies as a major part of his analysis; he urged that the
theory is incomplete without it. The believed that it is inappropriate to only focus on just
postmodernism alone; instead, postmodernism must be interpreted through cultural studies where
science and technology studies play a huge role.

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Figure 15.10: Douglas Kellne
Source: www.pages.gseis.ucla.edu/faculty/kellner/DK_photos/doug2_cropped_sml.jpg
Kellner recognized that many theorists of postmodernism are trapped by their own cogitations.
He finds strength in theorists like Baudrillard and his idea of Marxism. However, Kellner
acknowledges Marxism's end and lack of importance to his theory.
In sum, criticisms of postmodernism are intellectually diverse; including the assertions that
postmodernism is meaningless and promotes obcurantism. For example, Noam Chomsky has
argued that postmodernism is meaningless because it adds nothing to analytical or empirical
knowledge.
He asks why postmodernist intellectuals do not respond like people in other fields when asked,
‘what are the principles of their theories, on what evidence are they based, what do they explain
that was not already obvious, and so on?’...If answers cannot be given to these questions, then
Chomsky cautioned that postmodernism should not be given serious attention.
Kellner recognized that many theorists of postmodernism are trapped by their own
cogitations. What does he find as his strength?
He finds strength in theorists like Baudrillard and his idea of Marxism

Summary of Study Session 15

In Study Session 15, you have learnt that:
1. In the lecture, it was shown that society is now postmodern.
2. The lecture examined developments of postmodern social theory, its theoretical
perspectives and theorists.
3. In recent years, most scholars believed that society is now postmodern.

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Self-Assessment Questions (SAQs) for Study Session 15
Now that you have completed this study session, you can assess how well you have achieved its
Learning Outcomes by answering these questions. Write your answers in your Study Diary and
discuss them with your Tutor at the next Study Support Meeting. You can check your answers
with the Notes on the Self-Assessment Questions at the end of this Module.

SAQ 15.1 (Tests Learning Outcome 15.1)

After you have studied this study session, explain briefly the concept of metanarratives

SAQ 15.2 (Tests Learning Outcome 15.2)

1. According to Smart (1993) in Postmodern thinking, differentiate three postmodernist thinking
or positions.
2. Mention any three Influential Postmodern thinkers

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Study Session 16: The Idea of Posthumanism

Introduction
At the base of much of Sociology, especially micro-Sociology, lies the idea of humanism. With
recent developments in the discipline of Sociology, the idea of Posthumanism had emerged to
constitute a profound challenge to Sociology.
This Study Session will focus on the idea of Posthumanism and how this can be harness to
benefit sociological theory. You will learn the relevance of the idea of Posthumanism to
sociological theory.

Learning Outcomes for Study Session 16

When you have studied this session, you should be able to:
16.1 Explain Posthumanism (SAQ 16.1)
16.2 Discuss Social Stratification and Posthumanism (SAQ 16.2)
16.3 Discuss Technology and Posthumanism (SAQ 16.3)

16.1 Posthumanism
In broad terms, Posthumanism has to do with the attitude on how to deal with the limitations of
the human form. It is a vision of how to move beyond human limitations by the radical use of
technological and other means. It is worthy to note that the present human form is believed to
have room for change and improvement. This applies to both social systems and cultures, and
even organs of the human body.
For instance, there is no reason why our average life-span should be around fifty to seventy years
and not 300 or more years. The idea of Posthumanism entrenched the fact that there is no
compelling reason to accept things as they are. This can be applied to hearing, physical strength,

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speed, intelligence, and many other aspects of human existence. In essence, this very human
desire to improve is the main element of the idea of Posthumanism.

Figure 16.1: Posthumanism (Critical Analysis)

Source: www.media.bloomsbury.com/rep/bj/9781780936062.jpg
Box 16.1. The idea of Posthumanism entrenched the fact that there is no compelling reason
to accept things as they are
This can be applied to:
• Hearing,
• Physical strength,
• Speed,
• Intelligence and many other aspects of human existence.

After you have studied Posthumanism, The idea of Posthumanism entrenched the fact
that there is no compelling reason to accept things as they are. This can be applied to
______, ______, ______, ______, and _______
The idea of Posthumanism can be applied to hearing, physical strength, speed,
intelligence, and many other aspects of human existence.

16.2 Social Stratification and Posthumanism

The idea of Posthumanism recognizes the diversities inherent in human societies. This includes
the diversity of goals and means of reaching them. This form of diversity is largely responsible
for our complex social and economic systems. In Posthumanism this diversity is very important,

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hence the notion ‘moving in clades’ is another vital string in the understanding of the idea of
Posthumanism.
A clade here represents a biological family of species having a common ancestor. Birds, as a
group, are a good example. Birds all share a common origin and all modern birds descended
from this single beginning. All their diversity springs from evolutionary changes from this
common origin. Clades, in this way, mean the unity of origin and the diversity of descent. The
notion emphasizes that while we come from common origins we will move on differing paths,
toward differing goals.
This notion of moving in clades also implies that this diversity does not rule out cooperation
among the different life forms. Our current societies are proof that many different individuals,
with differing languages, cultures, ideologies, religions, temperaments, and backgrounds, can get
along and cooperate. This is the basis of trade. Another is Earth's total ecosystem. According to
current biological theories, all life originated from one common ancestor. Even with the so called
‘struggle to survive’ there is still much cooperation, mostly in a non-conscious way, among the
various life forms.

Figure 16.2: Social Stratification

Source:
www.upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/83/Amish_vs_modern_transportation.jpg

Look again at the Social Stratification and Posthumanism, the idea of Posthumanism
recognizes the diversities inherent in human societies which includes _____, and
______

The diversity of goals and means of reaching them.

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16.3 Technology and Posthumanism
Another vital element of Posthumanism is techno-transcendence. This simply means using
technology to overcome human limitations, to transcend. To Posthumanism, the problem of
increasing intelligence in humans for example can be tackled from different angles. One is to use
chemicals to stimulate already existing processes in the brain.
Some drugs have already shown a positive effect on memory e.g., vasopressin. Thus, these and
other drugs can be experimented and improved upon. Thus, chemicals can be used to boost
memory, an important component of intelligence. Another solution is to implant new brain
tissue. Innovations like these might make rewiring the brain a possibility.
Already, many experimental findings point out that the structure and plasticity of the brain might
be related to the functioning of the mind. The third possibility is to wire the brain directly into
computers. This involves putting the mind into a machine, the machine being a computer
designed for this purpose.

Figure 16.3: Technology and Posthumanism

Source: www.drstevebest.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/face.jpg%3Fw%3D640

To Posthumanism, the problem of increasing intelligence in humans for example can be

tackled from different angles. Write one different angle you know
Possibility of wire the brain directly into computers. This involves putting the mind into a
machine, the machine being a computer designed for this purpose.

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Summary of Study Session 16
In Study Session 16, you have learnt that:
1. The concept of Posthumanism was discussed as an attitude that deals with the limitations
of the human form.
2. It was shown to be a vision of how to move beyond human limitations by the radical use
of technological and other means.
3. The lecture stressed that it is worthy to note that the present human form have room for
change and improvement.
4. This applies to both social systems and cultures, and even organs of the human body.

Self-Assessment Questions (SAQs) for Study Session 16

Now that you have completed this study session, you can assess how well you have achieved its
Learning Outcomes by answering these questions. Write your answers in your Study Diary and
discuss them with your Tutor at the next Study Support Meeting. You can check your answers
with the Notes on the Self-Assessment Questions at the end of this Module.

SAQ 16.1 (Tests Learning Outcome 16.1)

Briefly explain the term Posthumanism

SAQ 16.2 (Tests Learning Outcome 16.2)

A clade in this Study Session represents a biological family of species having a common
ancestor. Give one example and explain

SAQ 16.3 (Tests Learning Outcome 16.3)

Techno-transcendence is another vital element of Posthumanism, briefly discuss

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Study Session 17 Actor-Network Theory

Introduction
The actor-network theory (ANT) is a recent theory, although most scholars believed it is more of
a method than theory, has its roots in structuralism and poststructuralism. Structuralism involves
a focus on structures, though these are not really the same structures of concern to structural
functionalists. The primary concern to structuralists is linguistic structures.

This Study Session will discuss what the actor-network theory is all about. You will also learn
the relevance of the actor-network theory.

Learning Outcomes for Study Session 17

When you have studied this session, you should be able to:
17.1 Discuss Actor–Network Theory (SAQ 17.1)

17.1 Actor–Network Theory

This is often abbreviated as ANT. This is an approach to social theory and research that treats
objects as part of social networks. Although it is best known for its controversial insistence on
the capacity of nonhumans to act and participate in systems and networks, ANT is also
associated with forceful critiques of conventional and critical sociological theory and the
discipline of Sociology in general.
ANT was developed by scholars like Michel Callon and Bruno Latour, John Law and other
scholars. The theory is most often regarded as a ‘material-semiotic’ method. This means that it
maps relations that are simultaneously material, that is relationships between things; and
semiotic relations, that is relationships between concepts.

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Figure 17.1: Michel Callon and Bruno Latour
Source: Distance Learning Centre, University of Ibadan
ANT assumes that many relations are both material and semiotic. Although it is called a
‘theory’, ANT does not usually explain ‘why’ or ‘how’ a network occurs or takes the form that it
does. Rather, ANT is a way of thoroughly exploring the relational ties within a network. The
most central concept in ANT is the actor-network. The term ‘network’ is believed to be
somewhat problematic in that according to Latour have a lot of unwanted connotations.
Box 17.1. Latour Unwanted Connotations.
Firstly, it implies that what is described takes the shape of a network, which is not necessarily
the case.
Secondly, it implies ‘transportation without deformation’, which, in ANT, is not possible since
any actor-network involves a vast number of translations.
Latour, however still contends that network is a fitting term to use, because "it has no a priori
order relation; it is not tied to the axiological myth of a top and of a bottom of society; it makes
absolutely no assumption whether a specific locus is macro- or micro- and does not modify the
tools to study the element 'a' or the element 'b'".
Actor–network theory tries to explain how material–semiotic networks come together to act as a
whole; the clusters of actors involved in creating meaning are both material and semiotic. As a
part of this it may look at explicit strategies for relating different elements together into a

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network so that they form an apparently coherent whole. These networks are potentially
transient, existing in a constant making and re-making.

Figure 17.2: Symmetry System

Source: Distance Learning Centre, University of Ibadan
This means that relations need to be repeatedly “performed” or the network will dissolve. They
also assume that networks of relations are not intrinsically coherent, and may indeed contain
conflicts. Thus, social relations, in other words, are only ever in process, and must be performed
continuously. ANT is often associated with the equal treatment of human and non-human actors.
ANT assumes that all entities in a network can and should be described in the same terms. This
is called the principle of generalized symmetry. The rationale for this is that differences between
them are generated in the network of relations, and should not be presupposed.
The distinction between intermediaries and mediators is key to ANT. Intermediaries are entities
which make no difference, to some interesting state of affairs which we are studying; and so can
be ignored. They transport the force of some other entity more or less without transformation and
so are fairly uninteresting. Mediators are entities which multiply difference and so should be the
object of study. Their outputs cannot be predicted by their inputs. From an ANT point of view
sociological theory has tended to treat too much of the world as intermediaries.
ANT has been criticized as amoral. Again, ANT had been criticized for moving beyond
deterministic models that trace organizational phenomena back to powerful individuals, social
structures, hegemonic discourses or technological effects.

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Instead, ANT prefers to seek out complex patterns of causality rooted in connections between
actors." They argue that ANT's ontological realism makes it, "less well equipped for pursuing a
critical account of organizations that is, one which recognises the unfolding nature of reality,
considers the limits of knowledge and seeks to challenge structures of domination." This implies
that ANT does not account for pre-existing structures, such as power, but rather sees these
structures as emerging from the actions of actors within the network and their ability to align in
pursuit of their interests.
Some critics have argued that research based on ANT perspectives remains entirely descriptive
and fails to provide explanations for social processes. ANT - like comparable social scientific
methods - requires judgement calls from the researcher as to which actors are important within a
network and which are not. Critics argue that the importance of particular actors cannot be
determined in the absence of “out-of-network” criteria. Similarly, others argue that actor-
networks risk degenerating into endless chains of association.

Figure 17.1: Actor–Network Theory

Source:
www.lh4.googleusercontent.com/SDqDD185ADY/TYSxx7D4A5I/AAAAAAAAAAQ/uLIxBG
wAbjc/s1600/ssyjese_ANT-mindmap.jpg

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Now that you have studied Actor–Network Theory, in your own perspective describe
Actor–Network Theory

Actor-Network Theory ANT is an approach to social theory and research that treats
objects as part of social networks. Although it is best known for its controversial
insistence on the capacity of nonhumans to act and participate in systems and networks.

Summary of Study Session 17

In Study Session 17, you have learnt that:
1. The actor-network theory (ANT) was discussed in this lecture.
2. It was shown that this theory is rooted in structuralism and poststructuralism.
Structuralism here involves a focus on structures, though these are not really the same
structures of concern to structural functionalists.
3. The primary concern to structuralists is linguistic structures.
4. Intermediaries are entities which make no difference, to some interesting state of affairs
which we are studying; and so can be ignored.
5. They transport the force of some other entity more or less without transformation and so
are fairly uninteresting.
6. Mediators are entities which multiply difference and so should be the object of study.
7. Their outputs cannot be predicted by their inputs. From an ANT point of view
sociological theory has tended to treat too much of the world as intermediaries.

Self-Assessment Questions (SAQs) for Study Session 17

Now that you have completed this study session, you can assess how well you have achieved its
Learning outcomes by answering the following questions. Write your answers in your study
Diary and discuss them with your Tutor at the next! Support meeting. You can check your
answers with the Notes on the Self-Assessment questions at the end of this Module.

SAQ 17.1 (Tests Learning Outcome 17.1)

According to this study, describe mediators’ concept and their output

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Study Session 18 Practice Theory

Introduction
Practice theory is considered as one of the variety of ‘cultural theories’. The concept of practice
is generally conceived here as a routinized way of acting, especially how we manage our bodies,
handle objects, treat subjects, describe things, and understand the world.
Discussing and clarifying the abstract nature of practice and practice theory by focusing on its
relationship to a number of important concepts such as the body, the mind, things, knowledge,
language/discourse, structure/process, and agent/individual.
This Study Session will focus on Practice Theory. You will also learn the Concept of Practice,
and Important Concepts in Practice Theory

Learning Outcomes for Study Session 18

When you have studied this session, you should be able to:
18.1 Explain the Concept of Practice (SAQ 18.1)
18.2 Discuss Concept of Practice Theory Important (SAQ 18.2)

18.1 The Concept of Practice

The concept of practice emphasizes the impact of ‘taken-for-granted, pre-theoretical assumptions
on human conduct’. Practice theory is said to be derived from bits and pieces of the work of a
variety of theorists and also from a variety of theories. It constitutes a loose network of works
and ideas, even though there is no grand practice theory yet.

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Figure 18.1: The Performance of the Body
Source: Distance Learning Centre, University of Ibadan
A practice can be said to mean the regular, skillful performance of human bodies. Practices are
the result of training the body in a particular way. But there are enough distinctive theoretical
ideas that cohere in interesting fashion around the idea of practice.

In other words, practice theory is a theory of how social beings, with their diverse motives and
their diverse intentions, make and transform the world they live. It is dialectic between structure
and human action working in a dynamic form. Practice theory therefore seeks to explain the
relationships that are obtained in human action. This approach seeks to resolve the dissonance
between traditional structuralist approaches and approaches which attempted to explain social
phenomena in terms of individual actions.
Practice theory is strongly associated with the French theorist and sociologist Pierre Bourdieu.
His concept of habitus represents an important formulation of the principles of practice theory.
Bourdieu developed the notion of ‘habitus’ to capture ‘the permanent internalisation of the social
order in the human body’. His work, 'Outline of a Theory of Practice', which is based on his
work in Algeria during the Algerian War of Independence is an example of Bourdieu's
formulation of practice theory applied to empirical data gathered through ethnography.

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If you check the concept of practice, you will see the concept of practice emphasizes.
Kindly describe the impact

The concept of practice emphasizes the impact of ‘taken-for-granted, pre-theoretical

assumptions on human conduct’

18.2 Concepts in Practice Theory Important

Reckwitz had attempted to clarify the abstract nature of practice and practice theory by focusing
on its relationship to a number of these important concepts:

Body

Agent/Indi The mind

vidual

Some Important
Concepts Focusing by
Practice and Practice
Theory Knowledge
Language-
discourse

Structure- Things
process

Figure 18.2: Important Concepts Focusing by Practice and Practice Theory

Source: Distance Learning Centre, University of Ibadan

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The mind: Practice involves not only routinized bodily performances but also the mind, that is, it
involves mental activities. To engage in practice entails the use of the body in various ways and
also engagement in mental activities. Playing tennis for example requires both routinized bodily
and mental activities, as well as the interaction of the two.

To other theorists, the human body is affected and even controlled by other phenomena such as
norms, rational choices, and values. But for practice theory, the body is of central and direct
importance, as it is at the realm of the social. According to Reckwitz (2002), practices are in fact,
‘routinized bodily performances. Accordingly, this conception of practice applies to obvious
things like using a racket to play tennis; it also involves performances like talking, reading, and
writing.

Knowledge: This is also required for practice to take place. This knowledge specifically involves
understanding how things are linked with each other within a practice. The knowledge here in
most cases is employed routinely without thinking through all of the issues involved.

Things: Things are integral to practice and they are as important as bodily and mental activities.
Practices always involve the use of things in particular ways. The use of things usually involves
both bodily movements and mental activities. Generally, practice cannot occur in the absence of
objects. It is the interaction of the body; mind and things (objects) that most practice exist.

Structure-Process: The concept of social structure is imbedded in the routine nature of practice.
Thus, structure, as well as process, does not exist ‘out there’ in large-scale social phenomena, but
this exists in the routine nature of action.

Language-Discourse: Language or discourse in practice theory does not only involve signs, but
it involves other key concerns of the theory. Language includes forms of understanding, know-
how and motivation that are linked with each other.

Agent/Individual: In practice theory, the focus is on practice and not on agents. The theory
recognize that agents exist, but these agents are known as merely ‘body-minds’ who carry out

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social practices. Thus, the agent is not autonomous, as argued in rational choice theory, or the
agent a judgmental dope, as in structural functionalism; instead, the agent is one who
understands the world, one who uses know-how and motivational knowledge according to the
particular practice.

After you have studied the important concepts in practice theory, briefly explain the
structure-process

Structure process is the concept of social structure imbedded in the routine nature of
practice. Thus, structure, as well as process, does not exist ‘out there’ in large-scale social
phenomena, but this exists in the routine nature of action.

Summary of Study Session 18

In Study Session 18, you have learnt that:
1. Practice theory was look at in this lecture as one of the variety of ‘cultural theories’.
2. The concept of practice was defined as a routinized way of acting, especially how we
manage our bodies, handle objects, treat subjects, describe things, and understand the
world
3. The concept of practice emphasizes the impact of ‘taken-for-granted, pre-theoretical
assumptions on human conduct’
4. A practice can be said to mean the regular, skillful performance of human bodies.
Practices are the result of training the body in a particular way
5. The mind: Practice involves not only routinized bodily performances but also the mind,
that is, it involves mental activities.
6. Knowledge: This is also required for practice to take place. This knowledge specifically
involves understanding how things are linked with each other within a practice.
7. Things: Things are integral to practice and they are as important as bodily and mental
activities.
8. Structure-process: The concept of social structure is imbedded in the routine nature of
practice.

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9. Language-discourse: Language or discourse in practice theory does not only involve
signs, but it involves other key concerns of the theory.
10. Agent/Individual: In practice theory, the focus is on practice and not on agents.

Self-Assessment Questions (SAQs) for Study Session 18

Now that you have completed this study session, you can assess how well you have achieved its
Learning Outcomes by answering these questions. Write your answers in your Study Diary and
discuss them with your Tutor at the next Study Support Meeting. You can check your answers
with the Notes on the Self-Assessment Questions at the end of this Module.

SAQ 18.1 (tests Learning Outcome 18.1)

__________is said to be derived from bits and pieces of the work of a variety of theorists and
also from a variety of theories. It constitutes a loose network of works and ideas, even though
there is no grand practice theory yet.

SAQ 18.2 (tests Learning Outcome 18.2)

There are seven important concepts focusing by practice and practice theory, mention and
explain three

Notes on SAQs for Study Session 1

SAQ 1.1
Georg Simmel’s Sociology shows that the difference of the social interaction in small-scale
communities with that which occur in cities and towns.
SAQ 1.2
According to Kenneth Allan, sociological theory and social theory focuses on commentary and
critique of modern society rather than explanation of what is happening in modern society
SAQ 1.3
The first question has to do with what the sociologists wants to study (for instance crime,
poverty, unemployment, and so on); and the second question has to do with how the facts of this
study will be.

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Notes on SAQs for Study Session 2

SAQ 2.1
Kingsley Davies argued that they may clearly resort to fraud or force

SAQ 2.2
It is the problem of how to treat the non-rational unit acts at the base of a sociological model

Notes on SAQs for Study Session 3

SAQ 3.1
Symbolic Interactionism Theory: This is a sociological theory that places emphasis on micro-
scale social interaction to provide subjective meaning in human behavior and the social process.
The theoretical approach analyses society as a product of the everyday interactions of
individuals. It views society as nothing more than the shared reality that people construct as they
interact with one another.
Structural Functionalism Theory: This theory is also well known as Functionalism. This
theory sees society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote solidarity and
stability. The theory provides a macro-level orientation of society, focusing on the social
structures that shape society as a whole.
SAQ 3.2
Feminism is the theory that focuses on how gender inequality shapes social life. This theoretical
approach shows how sexuality both reflects patterns of social inequality and helps to perpetuate
them. Feminism, from a social conflict perspective, focuses on gender inequality and links
sexuality to the domination of women by men.

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Notes on SAQs for Study Session 4
SAQ 4.1
1 The city or town-dweller
2 The mobile, nomadic societies

SAQ 4.2
Enlightenment is generally described as a period when modernity sprung up, with the emergence
of the world economy and exchange among diverse societies, bringing sweeping changes and
new challenges for society

SAQ 4.3
During the Enlightenment period, European societies were still largely rural, with minimal
involvement of the government in the everyday life of the citizens

Notes on SAQs for Study Session 5

SAQ 5.1
• The rise of factory-based industrial economy,
• The explosive growth of cities, and
• The spread of new ideas about democracy and political rights

SAQ 5.2
In order to become part of the anonymous crowd of the city's labour force

SAQ 5.3
Overpopulation and homelessness
Migrant workers faced crime and pollution in cities
Migrant workers evolved a new social world with its own set of problems

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SAQ 5.4
Question the validity of this traditional view about the power structure in society

Notes on SAQs for Study Session 6

SAQ 6.1
• Of types of social order,
• Of types of social units, and
• Of the material conditions of human life

SAQ 6.2
Fetishism stage was regarded as the primary stage of the theological stage of thinking. In this
stage, it is commonly believed that inanimate objects have living spirit; thus, people worship and
venerate these objects like trees, rivers, mountains, stones, and so on

SAQ 6.3
The Metaphysical stage

SAQ 6.4
Mathematics; Astronomy; Physics; Chemistry; Biology; Psychology; Sociology

Notes on SAQs for Study Session 7

SAQ 7.1
That human relation would become "thingified." Comte stated an instance during the eleventh
century where a Pope, Pope Hildebrand, had for a brief moment extended his spiritual power
over all temporal power, so the High Priest of Humanity, armed with a scientific knowledge;
would as the Pope of humanity institute a reign of harmony, justice, rectitude, and equity

SAQ 7.2
By their relative positions in regard to the means of production, that is, by their differential
access to scarce resources and scarce power

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SAQ 7.3
Humans are inherently egoistic, but norms, beliefs and values (collective consciousness) form
the moral basis of society, which also brings about social integration in society

SAQ 7.4
The death of a leader effectively ends the power of that authority. On the other hand, it is only
through a rationalized and bureaucratic form that this authority be passed on.

Notes on SAQs for Study Session 8

SAQ 8.1
Agency is defined as the capacity of individuals to act independently and to make their own free
choices; whilst structure refers to the recurrent patterned arrangements which influence or limit
the choices and opportunities available to individuals in society.

SAQ 8.2
Structure influences human behaviour, and humans are capable of changing the social structures
they inhabit

SAQ 8.3
He proposed that individuals are best conceptualized as participants in social practices (social
structures); and that these participants have the capability to either reproduce or change these
social practices

SAQ 8.4
A field here represents an evolving set of roles and relationships in a social domain, where
various forms of ‘capital’ such as prestige or financial resources are at stake

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Notes on SAQs for Study Session 9
SAQ 9.1
There have been the spread and mixture of philosophy, religion, language, the arts, and other
aspects of culture

SAQ 9.2
Anthony Giddens in his work, “The Consequences of Modernity”; defined globalization as the
intensification of worldwide social relations which link distant localities in such a way that local
happenings are shaped by events occurring many miles away and vice versa

SAQ 9.3
Cultural Globalization entails the intensification and stretching of economic interrelations around
the globe. It involves issues as the emergence of a new global economic order, the
internationalization of trade and finance, the changing power of transnational corporations, and
the enhancement of the role of international economic institutions like the IMF and World Bank.

SAQ 9.4
The precariousness of life in self and other

Notes on SAQs for Study Session 10

SAQ 10.1
The reflective study of the discipline of Sociology by sociologists

SAQ 10.2
This variety of metatheorizing according to Ritzer involves the study of sociological theory in
order to produce a better, more profound understanding of extant theory. Under this category,
theorists are concerned with the study of other theorists and their theories, and other community
of theorists, as well as the larger intellectual and social contexts of theories and theorists.

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SAQ 10.3
Still following the micro-macro typology, it can be said that at each end of the micro-macro
continuum, and virtually everywhere in between, one can differentiate between objective and
subjective components

Notes on SAQs for Study Session 11

SAQ 11.1
Feminist theory can be defined as a generalized, wide-ranging system of ideas about social life
and human experience developed from a woman-centred point of view

SAQ 11.2
This period is said to occur between 1960-1990. It is a period where women worked to translate
their basic political rights into economic and social equality and to re-conceptualize relations
between men and women with the concept and notion of ‘gender’.

SAQ 11.3
Living and acting within a complex field of power that they are determined by and that in their
agency they both reproduced and contest

Notes on SAQs for Study Session 12

SAQ 12.1
Meaning that what we have often taken as universal and absolute knowledge of the world is in
fact, knowledge derived from the experiences of a powerful section of society, which portrays
men as ‘masters’

SAQ 12.2
The commitment here lies on how feminist believe their work will help to improve the daily lives
of the people they study

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Notes on SAQs for Study Session 13
SAQ 13.1
Martineau introduced feminist sociological perspectives in her writing on otherwise overlooked
issues such as marriage, children, domestic and religious life, and race relations

SAQ 13.2
Since the mid-1940s, Jessie's focus was to increase understanding of the effects of sexism on
women's experience of marriage, parenting, education and economic life

SAQ 13.3
Fiction, Poetry, Music and Oral History

Notes on SAQs for Study Session 14

SAQ 14.1
1. Feminists believe that women are oppressed simple due to their sexuality and due the
dominant ideology of patriarchy
2. Patriarchy is the system which oppresses women through its social, economic and political
institutions.

SAQ 14.2
1. Radical feminists believe that society must be changed at its core in order to dissolve
patriarchy, not just through acts of legislation.
2. The groups include radical-libertarian feminism and radical-cultural feminism
SAQ 14.3
1. Liberal feminists
2. The main view of liberal feminists is that all people are created equal by God and deserve
equal rights.
SAQ 14.4
1. Socialist feminists reject the idea that biology predetermines ones gender. Social roles are not
inherent and women's status must change in both the public and private spheres. Socialist
feminists also challenge ideologies of capitalism and patriarchy.

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2. class and gender.
SAQ 14.5
1. Theorists
2. fundamental and biological differences
SAQ 14.6
Eco-feminists believe that patriarchy and male domination is harmful to women, as well as the
physical environment and ecosystem.

Notes on SAQs for Study Session 15

SAQ 15.1
Whilst many sociologists, and some sociological theories continue to undermine postmodern
social theory; however, the fact remains that postmodern social theory can no longer be ignored.

SAQ 15.2
1. According to Smart (1993), the first, extreme position holds that there has been a radical
rupture in society; thus, modern society has been replaced by a postmodern society. Proponents
of this point of view include scholars like Jean Baudrillard (Armitage, 2005); Genosko, etc.
The second position of postmodern thinking is that although a change has taken place,
postmodernism has grown out and is continuing with modernism. Adherents of this position
include Marxian thinkers like Fredric Jameson, Ernesto Laclau and other postmodern feminists
such as Nancy Fraser.
Finally, there is the position adopted by Smart himself, who, rather than viewing modernism and
postmodernism as epochs, this position advocates that both modernism and postmodernism
should be viewed as being engaged in a long-running and on-going set of relationships, with
postmodernism continually pointing out the limitation of postmodernism. Though useful,
Smart’s typology had been severally criticized by most postmodernists as they argued that this
typology has simplified and greatly diversified their ideas and distorting their ideas in the
process.
2. Douglas Kellner (born 1943), Jean Baudrillard (1929-2007), Richard Rorty (1931-2007)

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Notes on SAQs for Study Session 16
SAQ 16.1
Posthumanism has to do with the attitude on how to deal with the limitations of the human form.
It is a vision of how to move beyond human limitations by the radical use of technological and
other means.

SAQ 16.2
Birds, as a group, are a good example. Birds all share a common origin and all modern birds
descended from this single beginning. All their diversity springs from evolutionary changes from
this common origin.

SAQ 16.3
This simply means using technology to overcome human limitations, to transcend.
To Posthumanism, the problem of increasing intelligence in humans for example can be tackled
from different angles. One is to use chemicals to stimulate already existing processes in the
brain. Some drugs have already shown a positive effect on memory e.g., vasopressin.

Notes on SAQs for Study Session 17

SAQ 17.1
Mediators are entities which multiply difference and so should be the object of study. Their
outputs cannot be predicted by their inputs.

Notes on SAQs for Study Session 18

SAQ 18.1
Practice theory
SAQ 18.2
i. The mind: Practice involves not only routinized bodily performances but also the mind,
that is, it involves mental activities. To engage in practice entails the use of the body in
various ways and also engagement in mental activities. Playing tennis for example
requires both routinized bodily and mental activities, as well as the interaction of the two.

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ii. Knowledge: This is also required for practice to take place. This knowledge specifically
involves understanding how things are linked with each other within a practice. The
knowledge here in most cases is employed routinely without thinking through all of the
issues involved.

iii. Things: Things are integral to practice and they are as important as bodily and mental
activities. Practices always involve the use of things in particular ways. The use of things
usually involves both bodily movements and mental activities. Generally, practice cannot
occur in the absence of objects. It is the interaction of the body; mind and things (objects)
that most practice exist.

151
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