Society

Social change n Technology n Conflict n Rational thought n Social Bonds

Technology & Social Change n Lenski’s n “Sociocultural evolution” occurs when society acquires new technology n Technology = both positive and negative effects

Hunting & Gathering societies n Bow & arrow and stone knife

Horticultural societies n Hoe & digging stick

Pastoral societies n Domesticated animals

Agrarian societies n Plow n Large scale farming n Created u Cities (Walled cities) u Greater specialization u Use of money u Great wall of China u Pyramids of Egypt

Early walled cities – China Top of wall

Early walled cities – China Door to the city

Early walled cities – China Bell to sound trouble

Walled city of Rhodes (Greece)

Walled city of Rhodes Note dry mote between two walls protecting the city.

Industrial societies n Sociology develops

Postindustrial n Computers n Information based

Conflict & social Change n Karl Marx n Production of goods u Social conflict between classes u Major force that changes society

False consciousness n Beliefs that supported the capitalistic economic system n Individual, not society are responsible for problems n Substitute class consciousness

Class consciousness n Workers as a class against capitalists

Alienation n Workers were alienated from: u The act of working u Products of work u Other workers n Worker isolation and misery resulting from powerlessness n Capitalism blamed for alienation

Rational Thought & Social Change n Max Weber n Ideas, beliefs, values change society

Rationalization of Society n Rationality - Calculated most efficient way to do anything n Preindustrial = tradition based n Postindustrial = Rational thought

Social Bonds & social change n Durkheim n Mechanical Solidarity u Based on tradition n Organic Solidarity u Based on specialization & interdependence u Produces anomie (little moral guidance)