Understanding Human Behavior and the Social Environment - Assignment Example

Name: Course: Tutor: Date: Max Weber Question 1 How does Weber distinguish between power and authority? Discuss Weber's 3 forms of authority. For each be sure to note: definition, where is power vested, and the level of economic development. Max Weber distinguishes power and authority on the basis that power is one’s ability to enforce their will on other people despite of any form of resistance or the contrasting wishes of other people. Therefore, according to Weber, power is relational since it requires one party to submit while the other party dominates. In this case, it is assumed that one party will consent to or cooperate with the domination of the other party. However, this may not be the case in all relationships since the act of commanding does not always lead to obedience. Weber argues that power can be exercised in three main ways namely; direct physical means like punishment or giving rewards and influencing opinion. Exercising power effectively may require a combination of punishing or rewarding by employing rhetoric, argument or debate. On the other hand, Weber distinguishes power and authority on the basis that authority is a quality that enhances power rather being a form of power. Therefore according to Weber, authority is power acknowledged as valid by those who are subjected to it (Lemert 112-115). Weber further argues that there are three forms of authority namely; rational-legal, charismatic and traditional authority. Rational-legal authority revolves around the right of people elevated to authority to exercise power or influence based on the set standard rules. In this case authority is exerted by impersonal orders established legally and are extended to people by virtue of the held office. Moreover, this form of authority is depicted in the constitution or other written legal documents. Persons endowed with this form of authority are selected on the basis of their qualification and not their status. As a result, their appointments are geared towards promoting efficiency and collective organizational success. Principles of rational-legal authority are commonly found in political and capitalist systems (Lemert 112-115). According to Weber, traditional authority is a form of authority whereby the legitimacy of the figures of authority is based on customs. The figures of authority in this case could be a family head, priest or a clan leader. A good example of traditional authority is the English monarchy system, in this case the kings and queens must belong to a particular family so that they can obtain their positions. The power to control or influence is handed down from one generation to another and in some instances power is exercised in a dictatorial manner. Weber notes that traditional authority promotes and preserves inequality (Lemert 115). Lastly, according to Weber charismatic authority exists when power or influence is based on the personal attributes of an individual such as ethical and heroic mannerisms. Weber argues that charisma is a creative force that surges through established rules and traditional authority. Charismatic authority exists when the control of others is based on an individual's personal characteristics, such as extraordinary ethical, heroic, or religious virtuosity. Charismatic leaders exert power and influence mainly because people feel a strong emotional bond towards them. Charismatic authority can be revolutionary in nature thus challenging traditional authority. In most cases, Charismatic authority epitomizes the need for change in the existing social order (Lemert 112). Question 2 Provide an overview of Weber's portrayal of the dimensions of social inequality. Also, Weber observed that each of the dimensions stood out (was most important) at a different time in the evolution of human society. Present his analysis. In reference to Weber’s sentiments on social inequality there are three dimensions of social inequality namely; class, power and status. Weber defines class, as the economic position of a person in the society. He points out that class is not the most supreme factor of social inequality by arguing that managers of companies control the companies even though they do not own the company. Weber describes status as an individual’s popularity, prestige or social honor. He observes that political power is not solely rooted in the capital value of a person but it is rooted in the status of an individual. For instance, saints or poets may have great influence in the society even though they have little economic values attached to them. According to Weber status is the ability of a person to impose their will on other despite of the surging resistance of others. For example a person of high ranking within the government or a congress man or woman may have little economic value or status yet they have great power to influence the actions or decisions of other people (Lemert 115- 120). In his observation on social inequalities Weber noted that that the three dimensions of social inequalities took place at different points in the evolution of human society. For example, in the hunting and gathering societies, hunters and gatherers produced what is necessary for their daily survival. Some could produce more than others however the survival of the society depended on sharing therefore other groups could not appear to be better than others. Conversely, in the agrarian society the use and advancement of technology increased social inequalities since a small elite group controlled most of the produced surplus. As a result, the Agrarian nobility exercised godlike power and control over the masses. In the industrialized societies things changed, lessening social inequality. Compelled by the need to grow individual talent, meritocracy was established causing the erosion of the power of traditional elites. The specialized worked carried out in the industrial societies demanded schooling for all thus reducing illiteracy. The increase on a literate population influenced decision making these in turn diminished social inequalities (Lemert 115- 120). Question 3 3. Discuss one of the Weber readings that you find intriguing. How is it relevant to the present day? Defend your position. Max Weber’s article on “Class, status, party” is an intriguing reading since it touches on the core issues within the society. In his article “Class, status, party” Weber discusses the essential aspects of class and how status groups, political parties and classes are comprised in the structure of the society. Details provided by Weber in this article depict how class contributes to the realization of certain forms of power and the human desire for power. In this article, Weber argues that the pursuit of power is often caused by a desire to attain social honor. He notes that power may not necessarily bring about social honor, Weber illustrates this by using the analogy of the American boss. Nevertheless, Weber acknowledges that people considered by the society as honorable in most cases attain social power. Putting into account that money plays a significant role in the distribution of power, in this article Weber discusses the class and the way in which economic inequalities within the society shapes class (Lemert 115-120). Moreover in this article, Weber illustrates that property is one of the key factors that define the class situation. Modern economic concepts of “supply and demand” revolve around Weber’s outlook on the significance of property as far as attaining class is concerned. For instance, currently the demand for property is limitless whereas the supply is limited. Owing to the fact that property is one of the most profitable products, Weber uses the analogy of “the market situation” to shed light on the value of property. Weber describes market situation as the class relationship between “renters” and the people who have no property. He notes that people who own property are often part of the upper class and thus they have control over life situations whereas those with no property often form the middle or lower class and thus they have little control over life situations. Weber’s article is relevant to the present day society since it illustrates how economic value determines social power and class status. His sentiments in this article present obvious truths about social power and class status in the contemporary society (Lemert 115-120). Karl Max Provide an overview of Marx's theory of class revolution. Be sure to include his description of the bourgeoisie and the proletariat, their differing relationship to the means of production, why class revolution was inevitable, and the distinction between false and class consciousness. Question 1 Karl Marx put forward a postulation that a violent up rise and takeover by the workers will suppress the capitalism lifestyle dealing an economic loss to capitalist class superstructure. The aftermath will be a society that less recognizes the social class divides, that is, it will be biased towards communism vis-à-vis the capitalism way of life. This society will value equity of wealth distribution and justice access to all. In this case, the workers class is the proletariat. The bourgeoisie are the pro-capitalist class seeking to amass and protect their economic wealth through law. According to Marx, the nexus between the factors of forces and means of production led to the realization of the distinction existing in the society, that is, the class consciousness to economic relations. The class consciousness to economic relations was rather driven by forces of environmental factors than human philosophy. Thus the workers would consciously respond to changes of these environmental factors (Lemert 37-42). Marx viewed these as the dynamic nature in the society. When the oppressed class is consciously awakened from the mysteries of the ruling or the power class structure and their fetishism is presented as the underlying bases of this social theory. However, the misrepresentation of the concept along the social lines of the oppressed class led to what is known as the False Consciousness .Within the Societal set up the quest to achieve equality in wealth distribution and justice has been deemed in a utopia since it has proved uneasy task to have it realized. While, theoretically it is possible to realize what Marx envisioned but a practical classless society holds into constant several assumptions (Lemert 37-42). Question 2 Steven Spitzer argues that deviant labels are applied to those who interfere with the operation of capitalism. What is his argument? Is there a class distinction to the labeling process? If so, how? Offer an example. Are our attitudes regarding the legality of drugs explained in part by the underpinnings of the capitalist ethos? Explain your answer. First, Steven Spitzer views a capitalist wields personal control of individual economic wealth especially with the fear that the poor or others are preying on it (Macionis 171). This poor are the ones that are labeled as deviant. However, the rich (capitalist) are less labeled as deviant (Macionis 171). Take for instance a landlord who charges exorbitant rent rates peasant tenants. While, it may occur as business as usual to evict a peasant who is unable to meet deadlines for the periodical rent pays. To the landlord (and to some extent the larger public) the peasant poses as a rebel or threat to his/her wellbeing (Macionis 171). Another perspective on the Steven Spitzer argument is that those who do not labour are bound to be labeled as deviant (Macionis, p.171). That is, capitalist lifestyle is sustained on productive labour (Macionis, p.171). It is not uncommon that the society may label the job seekers as deviant (Macionis 171). This extends even to those who have lost job opportunities on reasonably genuine grounds (Macionis 171). Within the capitalist world there are chains of command (authority) that are to be observed accordingly (respected). However, those that do not observe these chains of command are labeled as deviant. For instance, lack of regard to law enforcement agencies especially for minors (that is, children) can be labeled as deviant members of the society (Macionis 171). Individuals who oppose the capitalist established structures are deemed to be labeled as deviant. This is exemplified by those who are hardliners against such actions as war, environment degradation or negating labour rules (Macionis 171). The capitalist world would brand positively those who make achievements within the capitalist ranks (Macionis 171). For instance, being recognized as a celebrity icon due to the fortune one has (Macionis 171). Due to lack of opportunities, those who retreat into use of drugs such as marijuana to elude their problems are labeled as deviant by the capitalist (Macionis 165- 171). Yet, habits such as alcohol and caffeine taking may be retained as part of class recognition (Macionis 171). Caffeine and marijuana have effects as drugs but on legal grounds are perceived differently. Arguably, this may be the case because the capitalist want to control those who do not fit in their systems (Macionis 171). Question 3 Provide an overview of one of the assigned Marx readings. Do you agree/disagree with Marx's reasoning? Be sure to justify your answer. In the Karl Marx’s readings of ‘Estranged Labour’ as depicted by Lemert, Charles book ‘Social Theory: The multicultural and Classic readings’, Karl Marx argues that the poor worker is basically a puppet manipulated by the rich to gain more economic empowerment. His real value in the society is to execute the wishes and directions of those who control the means of production for the individual good of the rich (Lemert 30). He asserts that this divide in the society is the brainchild of capitalism where the rich exercise dictatorship over the poor through economic deprivation while the poor get poorer and are deprived of the ability to take control of their economic well being and their individual actions (Lemert 30).. The fruits of their hard work are enjoyed by the few individuals at the top who control and dictate over the available resources. The poor worker is seen as an instrument to manipulated by the rich to gain more economic wealth and power and is therefore deprived of his social being status (Lemert 30). Karl Marx argument holds water especially in the developing world where the gap between the rich and the poor continues to wider despite major economic gains. The governing elite are seen to exercise control over the massive economic resources available while the poor are left to struggle with a meager income. In addition, the policy making and implementation process is overwhelmingly driven in favor of the few individuals with the economic power while the poor are the instruments to achieve this end. However, it is worth noting that each society is unique. Not all capitalist societies have taken this road. This is especially visible in most of the developed countries in Europe where major steps have been taken to restore value and dignity to the worker. The worker is no longer seen as a means for the powerful elite to gain greater economic control but as a valued social being that needs to enjoy the fruits of his hard work. The worker is now seen as an equal and important player in the society. This approach has contributed to great harmony in society as well as bridging the gap between those with greater economic resources and those without (Lemert 30). Question 1 Structural functionalists view society as a structure which is made up of interrelated elements. These elements include norms, traditions, institutions and customs. It is these elements which when interlinked together bind up to form and describe a particular society. They are the ones that project out the unique features of each society. These elements are viewed to function like organs which contribute individually to the functioning of the whole. This approach has been borrowed from the biological sciences where an organism is seen to comprise of different organs which perform different functions but make up the whole. Social structure refers to the systematic arrangement of the interrelated elements that bind up to form the society while social function describes the individual roles these elements play in order to contribute to the functioning of the whole. Social dysfunctions refer to a disturbance or irregularity in the functioning of the social elements that form the society which may end up causing some instability in the normal functioning of the society. When these disturbances are anticipated they are referred to as manifest dysfunctions. A good example is environmental pollution caused by a drastic increase in the emission of industrial waste. However, when these dysfunctions are not anticipated or expected they are referred to as latent dysfunctions. An example for this is a sudden disruption in power supply caused by damage of overhead power lines due to strong winds. Another practical example was the disruption of air travel in parts of Europe which was caused by emission of volcanic ash from the Iceland volcano between April and May 2010. Question 2 Social conflict theorists see society as having two groups of individuals that is those with material wealth and those that are poor. The former use their wealth in order to exert control on the later. This is accomplished through use of force and economic slavery. It is the unwillingness of the rich and powerful in society to address issues relating to the poor such as unemployment, better salaries and so on that leads to social unrests. The rich are viewed to foster an ideology of individualism that focuses on their interests rather than those of the society as a whole. The theorists clearly assert that there are poor people in the society because the rich individuals intend to maintain the status quo so that they can continually exert their influence on the weak and vulnerable. According to the social conflict theorists, this particular imbalance in the recipe for social disorder. One area the theorists seek to understand is why poor people still exist in a society that boosts of a high amount of resources (Zastrow & Kirst-Ashman 508). Conflict analysis operates at both micro and macro levels. However, it is more distinct at the macro level than at the micro level. The conflict analysis at the micro level mainly focuses on the individuals themselves while macro level conflict analysis looks at the bigger picture that is how different aspects affect the society as a whole. It deals with the analysis of the problems that generally affect the society such as poverty, political instability, war and many others. A good example for this is the competition for the limited resources where the rich exert their control on the poor due to the fact that they hold the major share of these resources. Works cited Lemert, Charles .Social Theory: The multicultural and Classic Readings. 4th Ed. New York: Westview Press. 2009, pp. Macionis, John. Society: The Basics. 8th Ed. New York: Prentice-Hall. 2006, pp 165-171.  Zastrow, Charles & Kirst-Ashman. Understanding Human Behavior and the Social Environment. New York: Cengage learning. 2007, p 508. Read More