A relationist model for social change (original) (raw)
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Social Change and Classical Sociological Theories
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In this article we have presented the most important theories about social change from the perspective of comparative analysis (XIX th and XX th century). Thus, in the first part of the article, we have presented the classical perspectives on social change, which belong to some famous sociologists from the XIX th century, who have approached this issue: Auguste Comte, Emile Durkheim, Alexis de Tocqueville, Max Weber, or Karl Marx. The common point of these theories is that they all understand social change as a social progress. This idea is no longer found in the twentieth century, where the theoretical approaches to social change are equally varied. Thus, the second part of the article presents the theories of change from four sources: the 'Chicago School' (William Ogburn and William I. Thomas); the neo-evolutionary theory of Robert Nisbet; the French Sociology perspective (Pierre Bourdieu and Raymond Boudon) and, finally, a more actual perspective, that of Anthony Giddens.
Explaining Social Change: An Analytical Approach
Papers. Revista de Sociologia, 2006
Analytical sociology is a middle-range approach to sociological theorizing which seeks to develop precise and realistic action-based explanations of various social phenomena. At the heart of the analytical approach is the idea that acceptable explanations must detail the mechanisms through which the phenomena to be explained were brought about. In this article I discuss the most important elements of this approach and I try to illustrate the various components involved in an explanation of social change. The analytical approach adopted here seeks to closely integrate mechanism-based theories of action and interaction, and agent-based computational modelling. The article is organized in the following way: first I present the guiding ideas behind the mechanisms approach. Second I discuss various mechanisms of action and interaction to illustrate what it is all about. Third I use a socalled agent-based model for illustrating how one can link individual-level mechanisms to social outcomes. Fourth I show how important it is to empirically calibrate these types of models. And fifth, and finally, I round it all up with some concluding remarks.
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We outline primary features of a theoretical perspective on processes of social change in human systems that deals with broadly defined kinds of process, the nature of variants that are expressed and consolidate as change occurs, and, with specific reference to agency, the ways in which intentional actors are implicated in the changes that befall them. Our aim is to contribute to a general theory of process that is not prejudiced by the possible misrepresentation of outcomes arising in particular contexts (e.g. modernity), or the contexts themselves, as being causal processes. We direct attention to four problems of a methodological and ethical nature that may arise when analysts strive for generality.
The social structure is constantly changing. While striving to study society, it is therefore clear that sociology has to identify, highlight and embrace the fundamental concepts, the conceptual categories that make it possible to become familiar with, understand, interpret and explain events. However, if the analysis of social transformations can reveal a common denominator that appears to be the characteristic interpretative key for each society, does it mean that there is a common underlying structure at the root of every change? After the existence of a common principle (form) or a common denominator for every society and historical-social period has been established, we need to ask if this common denominator contributes towards the organisation of social phenomena (first perspective) or whether it is an interpretive category, an analytical grid that the subject applies in his knowledge of society (second perspective). Does the subject give form to society through specific interpretive categories (Panofsky), or is society generated and modified by a formal social structure (Goldmann)?
Contemporary Sociological Theory: Continuing the Classical Tradition
Teaching Sociology, 1987
This study reexamines the prevalent view of classical social theorist, Auguste Comte and contemporary social theorist, Gerhard Lenski. Both social theorists are important figures in terms of social change and social development. Therefore, within context, the notion of social change theories, its relations and cause of social change are discussed, followed by an outline of the concepts of both theorists. Next, it deals with what the two perspectives share in common and compares the differences between them. The study revealed that the two perspectives are fundamentally different because Comte focused on the development of human thought while Lenski focused on social change and development as a result of technology. In this respect, the determinants of social change and development emerge from within society itself; the deepest and the most important disagreement lies between those who see the mental or spiritual evolution of society as the main driving force of history and those who see the role of technology as its root cause.
Studies in Asian Social Science, 2019
This study re-examines the prevalent view of classical social theorist, Auguste Comte and contemporary social theorist,Gerhard Lenski. Both social theorists are important figures in terms of social change and social development.Therefore, within context, the notion of social change theories, its relations and cause of social change are discussed,followed by an outline of the concepts of both theorists. Next, it deals with what the two perspectives share in commonand compares the differences between them. The study revealed that the two perspectives are fundamentally differentbecause Comte focused on the development of human thought while Lenski focused on social change and developmentas a result of technology. In this respect, the determinants of social change and development emerge from withinsociety itself; the deepest and the most important disagreement lies between those who see the mental or spiritualevolution of society as the main driving force of history and those who see th...