Abstract This paper reviews approaches of economicsociology to explaining the development and functioning of markets.
From the Paper "In the dim distant past before the discipline of economics attempted to redefine itself as a precise mathematical science, credible economists considered the effects of institutions on markets recognized that one size does not fit all in relation to human behavior and accepted the proposition that uncertainty can never be completely factored out of any analysis of human activity, The neoclassical economic perspective prevailing in today's world however goes to extremes to define each economic relationship as narrowly as possible to eliminate uncertainty and assign a ..."
Abstract Using three articles relating to the field of economicsociology, the paper explains the definition of economicsociology and its differences in discipline from the field of economics. The paper uses articles by Nicole Biggart, Charles W. Smith, and Wendy Griswold.
From the Paper "Biggart examines the cultural significance of meetings and ceremonies within the organization, which serve to drive the sales force. Such events are cultural marks that motivate the sales force to sell and convince the buyers to buy. Meetings serve to "reinforce the image of the founders as special people are opportunities for articulating the founders" philosophies? (127). During meetings, status differences within the organization are displayed by rewarding high selling sales people and inviting them to sit on stage with the founders. There are "people who are separated and honored, and the rest are reminded of their inferior status" (140). This recognition of status ignites the sales force and directly impacts the market within the DSO."
Abstract This paper explores the modern sociology theories of George Ritzer, including the three theories that are central to his view: Structural functionalism, critical theory and the McDonaldization phenomenon. The author points out that Ritzer viewed sociology as a multi-disciplinary paradigm.
From the Paper "The modern sociological theories forwarded by George Ritzer involve three that are central to his views of sociology: Structural Functionalism, Critical Theory and McDonaldization. Ritzer's expansion of the views of Weber ..."
Tags:economics, capitalism, individual versus society, social institutions, McDonaldization
Abstract This paper discusses the theory of consumer behavior and the way in which scarcity impinges upon the individual consumer and hence deals with the way in which such an individual makes choices. The theory presents us with an important instance of how other social sciences, such as sociology and social psychology which deal, in part, with the way in which people organize themselves into household and other units, could complement economics.
From the Paper "The objects of the consumer's choice are goods and services. In the most general case we may consider patterns of consumption at each particular moment in time and over time (Bailey, 1994). To keep things simple we will for now confine ourselves to the choice facing an individual at a particular time, ignoring for the moment the problem of allocating consumption over time. We will also simplify the world by assuming that it contains only two goods, X and Y. This abstraction from a world with many goods to one with two is not quite so restrictive as might appear at first sight, for it is always possible to think of X as being one particular good and Y as being a composite bundle of all other goods."
An article review of P. Davies' article, "Is Economic Crime A Man's Game?", which addresses the differences in the type of crimes committed by men and women and the increase in female crime.
Abstract This paper is an article review of P. Davies' article "Is Economic Crime A Man's Game?" from the journal "Feminist Theory". It addresses why women are more likely to commit crimes where money is a motive than they are to commit violent crimes. The discussion section of the paper uses information from sociology/criminology texts to compare and contrast the article's assertions with those of other theorists.
From the Paper "Women have historically been more likely to commit economic crime than violent crime, but the reasons behind this propensity have not been adequately explained. The first issue that arises when researching economic crime in general is the difficulty in finding a complete definition of economic crime. The simplest description breaks crime into two broad categories, crime for gain and crime not for gain (assault and sex offenses). Another variation is to describe crime in terms of the offender, for example crime committed by an individual for personal gain versus institutional crime such as corporate fraud, an approach that focuses more on the class of the offender, rather than addressing gender. "
Abstract This paper discusses the life and works of Karl Marx and Max Weber, highlighting their contributions to sociology. The paper describes the similarities and differences in the philosophy of each man and hypothesizes regarding what they would have thought about Nazi Germany. The paper contends that both the thinkers felt that the key to understanding human nature was that of understanding human actions and these actions were based on social and structural changes. This may explain their feelings on Nazi Germany and the atrocities committed by Hitler, where his actions can only be understood as a part of the social and structural changes of himself as an individual, as well as of himself as he belongs to a society.
From the Paper "Max Weber, born in 1864, is one of the best-known and most popular scholars of 'sociology', as well as of 'economic work'. One of his best contributions to the cause of economics as well as to sociology is his work entitled "Vertstehen" or what is also known as the theory of 'Interpretative Sociology' and his thinking on 'positivism'. Weber's theory of Verstehen is often seen as being very controversial and questionable. His view is that any research that is connected to history or sociology or economics must be approached with a particular idea or concept, or what is called a 'conceptual apparatus'. This apparatus was referred to be Weber as the 'ideal type', meaning that when an individual needs to understand or comprehend a particular sociological phenomenon, the various 'actions' of the different participants of the phenomena, and not stop at merely describing the phenomenon in itself. (Max Weber, 1864-1920) "
Abstract This paper explains that Fred Block in his book "Postindustrial Possibilities: A Critique of Economic Discourse" states that today's society has passed the industrial stage and has moved onto a new nameless stage. The author points out that, according to Block, the postindustrial trends are the increasing importance of services and decreased importance in goods, computer-based automation and a less patriarchal society. The paper relates that, in addition to including traditional economists such as Marx, the social economist Karl Paul Polanyi is referenced often in this book. The author underscores that the book includes ideas of Ruth Cowan, who believes that domestic work is not taken into account in the GNP, which makes the output status somewhat inapt. The paper agrees with Block's conclusion that society desires objects of qualitative over quantitative.
From the Paper "The chapter on labor showed that skill has actually increased since the 1970s even though robots and computers have been replacing human labor. People today become extremely knowledgeable on very little - we are all specialized. The capacity to work is a socially produced - it is not instinctive. The argument that economists do not properly analyze contemporary production is based on theoretical, empirical, and alternative views to the efficiency of labor."
Tags: services, computer-based, domestic, qualitative, social
Abstract The questions answered are: Why did Weber regard bureaucratization as an irreversible trend in modern society? Is there any point in continuing to study the classical theorists in order to understand modern society? To what extent do the demands of academic achievement conflict with the demands of femininity? With reference to at least two theoretical perspectives, outline and discuss why motherhood continues to be problematic for feminists. What methodological issues are raised by feminist and anti-racist research? Discuss with reference to examples. Distinguish between random and non-random sampling techniques in sociological research. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each with reference to examples of research studies. What important factors influence the choice of quantitative and qualitative techniques?
Abstract This essay critically assesses the contribution of cultural sociology to the understanding of religion. It does this by first examining and summarizing how three "classical sociological theorists" (i.e.: Weber, Durkheim and Marx) see the nature of religion as a cultural form. It then looks at various recent theories of religion under globalization. The author then assesses the contribution that these cultural theories give to the understanding of real religious phenomena through examining whether they can help in an understanding of Islamic fundamentalism in general, and the rise of Islamic fundamentalism in Algeria specifically. The paper includes extensive use of quotes from the three theorists.
From the Paper "In fact, according to Giddens, Marx believed that religion is the "opium of the people" (Giddens, 1996, p464). In other words, Marx believed that religion defers happiness and rewards to the afterlife, teaching the acceptance of existing conditions in this life. This means that attention is diverted away from inequalities and injustices in this life by promising a better future in the Afterlife. In addition to this, Budd believes that Marx thought religion not only reflected the suffering of the working class, but offered a "fantasy escape" from that suffering (Budd, 1973). Marx believed that religion had a very powerful ideological element, and that religious beliefs and values often provide justifications of inequalities of wealth and power (Giddens, 1996). He further claims that religion often has ideological implications which serve to justify the interests of the ruling class at the expense of other subordinate classes (Giddens, 1996)."
Abstract This paper discusses the importance of the scientific method to sociological research. The author explains the way it is employed in sociological studies.
From the Paper "When considering the field of sociology, many researchers reject the idea that it may be classified as a science in the same sense that biology and chemistry are. Indeed many believe that because sociology studies phenomena that usually..."
Tags:sociology, science, scientfic method, hypothesis, data
Abstract The writer of this essay examines sociological perspectives for law enforcement. In this article, perspectives on crime and crime prevention are explored. The writer discusses sociology as a tool, that can be used at the planning and policy levels to devise more effective crime prevention strategies.
From the Paper "The first reaction of a working law enforcement officer on hearing the word sociology is likely to be negative. It evokes a mental image of naive professors who have little or no experience of crime, its perpetrators or its victims and who spend their time coming up with theories of root causes of crime that supposedly absolve criminals of all responsibility for their actions. This image, however, has been largely created by Hollywood and has little more ... "
Abstract The paper examines a few key components of Durkheim's path breaking work. Specifically, the paper reviews Durkheim's rules for the sociological method, as well as his functionalist approach to sociology. No less important, some time is devoted to examining why social integration and social solidarity were so important to his functionalist theory.
From the Paper "Emile Durkheim's contributions to sociology are voluminous. The following paper will examine a few key components of Durkheim's path-breaking work. Specifically, the next several pages will review Durkheim's rules for the sociological method, as well as his functionalist approach to sociology; no less importantly, some time will be devoted to examining why social integration and social solidarity were so important to his functionalist theory. From there, the paper will review the relevance of Durkheim's sociology to today's world and conclude with how his sociological method might be modified to address with a pressing social issue taking place presently."
Abstract This paper proposes that the study of sociology is readily applicable to the workplace. Although sociology explores human society, the author contends that social arrangements found in the world also exist within human organizations. This discipline can tell us much about business structures and corporations.
From the Paper "Sociology, as most of us well know, is the study of human society and of the social institutions and arrangements human beings create. What is perhaps less well-known, however, is that sociology also tells us much about the business structures and corporations which define our contemporary world. For example, it seems logical to conclude that the same social arrangements which inform the world outside a large organization are the very same ones found inside a large organization - for the most part. Therefore, business or professional organizations in a patriarchal (or matriarchal) society can be reasonably expected"
Abstract This paper examines the concepts of gender inequality and racial prejudice from James M. Henslin's "Sociology: A Down-to-Earth Approach". The author points out that the dimensions of each of these structural injustices.
From the Paper "In James M Henslin's "Sociology: A Down-to-Earth Approach", many issues and concepts encapsulated within the domain of sociology are explored. Of these, two issues are particularly compelling in light of one another -- gender inequality and racial prejudice. Each of ..."
Abstract The paper discusses both Iranian and United States statistics in relation to each nation. The paper further discusses the social orders of each nation, as well as the forms of political power that exists within the countries. The paper uses sociological theory as a framework for this discussion, drawing conclusions from the research based upon these theoretical perspectives.
From the Paper "Iran was formerly known as Persia until 1935. By 1979 Iran was an Islamic republic with a theocratic system of government. Problems existing in the nation include its continued strained relations with the United States that began when Iranian terrorists held American hostages in the United States Embassy in Iran from 1979-1981. Also, until 1988, Iran was in a consistent war with neighboring Iraq, a war that intensified hostilities with the United States in the Persian Gulf from 1987-1988. Iran is considered a terrorist nation by the United States, and has been subjected to "US economic sanctions and export controls because of its continued involvement" in terrorism ("Iran", 2004). Iran is located in the Middle East between Iraq and Pakistan, and is comprised of 68, 017, 860 people. For every 1,000 people in the nation there are approximately 17 new births, and 6 deaths."
