Allysha Antunez
Oct 1, 2022
Final Exam
1. The first master process of social change in the modern era discussed in the textbook is the development of capitalism . The second master process is the formation of powerful , connected national states . Explain the importance of these two master processes in the development of modern society . ( week 1 , Ch. 1 )
The first master process is the evolution of humanities governments , transforming into capitalism . Little by little the human government changed the way they thought about money . They evolved the familys own business into industrial capitalism . No longer do the people convert their homes into their workshop , and they no longer have to go out and sell to merchants their product . This conversion to capitalism allowed people to get paid while working in a factory . This changed the game in a very large way , production increased and further moved the industry . This allowed people to earn a living for the hours they worked now , not having to do everything with nothing in return . This first process is similar to the one we have today in America , you work your hours and you get paid for those hours worked , regardless of sales that day .
The second process is similar to the prior, but this focuses on the growth of the government rather than the individual civilians. Due to backlash in past government structures, they had to transition, move from imperialistic image into one of democracy. Like the founding fathers discussed when creating the union of states, we each had to sell a part of our freedom for security. The people had to agree to pay taxes from the state, obey the laws in a given state, and fight its wars, in turn we would ensure that they would never have their basic human rights taken from them. The idea was to improve the livelihood and social aspects of civilians, from one of social hierarchy.
2. On p. 94 of the text, the evolutionary social systems perspective is described. An alternative approach to social theorizing is the conflict perspective. Both of these perspectives have something to say about divisions and categorizations within society such as social class, for example, though they give us different takes on the social significance of these divisions. Explain the differences between these two contrasting views on the significance of social divisions. (week 2, Ch. 3)
The term evolutionary social systems perspective is what the book defines as, social change happening everywhere but at different times. The book goes on saying without adaptation we have societies that fall or collapse due to the inability to change. What some people think are issues are actually just progression. So in my other class we talk about avoidance of accountability and fear of conflict, but without raising awareness and questions how would we evolve and adapt to change while progressing at the same time?
Conflict perspective is what I imagine a Debby Downer sounds like. For the definition is essentially saying we have to fear that people can form groups in the interest of themselves for themselves. This reason does not mean they will always fight (war) for what they want, but they will oppose and try for change that fits their agenda. This does not have to go the extreme but it is a possibility Social movements as resistance and insurgencieslarge and smallrunning against the grain of the status quo. (Massey, 2016 P. 95). The aim is for social change that is not currently openly addressed, examples id think of are protesting for gay marriage, or civil rights acct.
3. Technology can take the form of a device, a technique, or a social organization. For each of these types of technology, give one example and explain how that example has contributed to social change. Note that you will need THREE examples total in order to fully answer this question. (week 3, Ch. 4)
In the book it gives us three examples, the first one being a device, it must exhibit technical knowledge. For those one you can choose a simple screw driver, used to drill screws in. If we are going to social change based on this, the level of usage we have for screws is virtually everything. Without a screwdriver I doubt we would have houses and skyscrapers built structurally sound. Because without a screwdriver we would be unable to use a screw you cannot nail it in, and it will not have the grip that a screws ridges have. Socially this would affect day to day life would it not?
The second one is a technique, but in the book this means it can be skills, routines, or methods used to handle the technology. For this one an example would be how we cook, this is the best one I can think of. We all cook but the way we cook is different. Im taught how my mother cooks, whereas my aunt was taught from a book. I have family recipes but my aunt has google recipes. Socially, we are all taught within our ethnic groups, our foundation of food. For my family I have tamales and beans every Christmas, for another they might have turkey and mashed potatoes.
The last technology is the formation of organizations, this is a dynamic system used to illustrate the level of connectivity. The book spoke of banks and loans taken for housing markets. I think of the LGBTQ+ community, although Im not a part of it, they stand and help provide advancements for people who are discriminated against. They have moved society in such a large way, we would not have as many laws we have now if not for their influence.
4. First, explain how social movements can be said to participate in politics by other means (p. 152). Then, using an example, explain how social movements can influence public opinion and how this can bring about social change (pp. 174-177). (week 4, Ch. 5)
In the book it states the obvious, that social change will alter or influence the way democratic government thinks. Like I stated previously, LGBTQ+ has altered the laws with the most basic being same sex marriage, but also making it illegal to discriminate based on sexual preference in a job setting. But this is not the last of what its saying, while in question 3, I spoke of how we need to accept and adapt to change as just the public looking for action. Citizens might come searching for answers right away. challenge authority and make explicit what they will do to achieve an alternative. Making social change is not for the faint of heart. (Massey, 2016, P. 152). Meaning if you want to make a change people will make it a point for social change, best example from me would be riots.