Durkheim 2/3 Functionalism in sociology The culture of poverty Durkheim’s Suicide

What is due in the 1 st Draft ? Due 2/17 (contract: 2/10) Workbook containing : Workbook containing : 3 greats; 3 work sheets; Exercise #1 and some substantive research 3 greats; 3 work sheets; Exercise #1 and some substantive research A Draft consisting of : A Draft consisting of : Abstract; Introduction; Review of Literature; (Bibliography)Abstract; Introduction; Review of Literature; (Bibliography) Follow the format in the web-page on the paper, and use the style of the sociology journals.Follow the format in the web-page on the paper, and use the style of the sociology journals.

Workbook 1. Three entries applying insights of Marx, Durkheim and Weber to your topic. 1. Three entries applying insights of Marx, Durkheim and Weber to your topic. 2. The three discussion work sheets cover some of the same ground. 2. The three discussion work sheets cover some of the same ground. 3. Your Annual Review of Sociology article may not be your main review article. 3. Your Annual Review of Sociology article may not be your main review article. 4. Your paper must refer to a contemporary article, written since 2000, but this might be different from either your Exercise #1 or your main review article. 4. Your paper must refer to a contemporary article, written since 2000, but this might be different from either your Exercise #1 or your main review article. 5. Your substantive research is connected to the review of the literature. 5. Your substantive research is connected to the review of the literature.

Draft #1 Abstract: 200 – 300 words anticipating the main line of your argument. Abstract: 200 – 300 words anticipating the main line of your argument. Introduction: 1-3 pp. stating the main issue. Introduction: 1-3 pp. stating the main issue. Review of the Literature: a description, discussion, and analysis of a stream of theory. Review of the Literature: a description, discussion, and analysis of a stream of theory. At least one article should be current (post-2000).At least one article should be current (post-2000). Your Annual Review article must be cited, but it does not necessarily play a central role.Your Annual Review article must be cited, but it does not necessarily play a central role. The same goes for the literature cited by your journal of record article.The same goes for the literature cited by your journal of record article. Bibliography: Use standard form to list all works you will be referring to in the paper. Bibliography: Use standard form to list all works you will be referring to in the paper.

Origins: the Chicago school U.S. sociology began ( ) from the discovery that different neighborhoods had different rates of social problems. U.S. sociology began ( ) from the discovery that different neighborhoods had different rates of social problems. For example: rates of homicide, suicide, divorce, illegitimacy, crime, academic failure, alcoholism, juvenile delinquency. For example: rates of homicide, suicide, divorce, illegitimacy, crime, academic failure, alcoholism, juvenile delinquency. They concluded that the differences were rooted in the social structure; even when the people or groups in the neighborhood were replaced by others, the rates remained high (or low.) They concluded that the differences were rooted in the social structure; even when the people or groups in the neighborhood were replaced by others, the rates remained high (or low.) There were 2 main explanations for these rates: There were 2 main explanations for these rates: 1. Class (Marx: poverty) 2. Norms (Durkheim: anomie)

Binocular vision 2 viewpoints allows 3D vision 2 viewpoints allows 3D vision There are functional and conflict theorists working in virtually every subfield on every topic in sociology. There are functional and conflict theorists working in virtually every subfield on every topic in sociology. Durkheim and Marx are the founding theorists of these perspectives. Durkheim and Marx are the founding theorists of these perspectives. For many purposes, Weber is best viewed as a combination of Durkheim and Marx. For many purposes, Weber is best viewed as a combination of Durkheim and Marx. Thus Durkheim and Marx are the 2 main viewpoints to be clarified. Thus Durkheim and Marx are the 2 main viewpoints to be clarified.

The Culture of Poverty The “culture of poverty” and the relation of culture to social structure is a royal road into sociological theory The “culture of poverty” and the relation of culture to social structure is a royal road into sociological theory Poor neighborhoods often have broken families and deviant culture. Poor neighborhoods often have broken families and deviant culture. Is it that brutal conditions are brutalizing?Is it that brutal conditions are brutalizing? Or that the culture produces the poverty?Or that the culture produces the poverty? PovertyCulture of Poverty + +

Durkheim and Marx Durkheim was writing in the generation after Marx and in reaction to him. Durkheim was writing in the generation after Marx and in reaction to him. Many of his ideas are those of conservatives, particularly on the issues of gender roles. Many of his ideas are those of conservatives, particularly on the issues of gender roles. But Durkheim was not an ordinary conservative, any more than Marx was an ordinary liberal. But Durkheim was not an ordinary conservative, any more than Marx was an ordinary liberal.

Both? The two causal influences are not mutually exclusive. The two causal influences are not mutually exclusive. Nevertheless, important implications follow from the question which is most important most of the time. Nevertheless, important implications follow from the question which is most important most of the time. They have been the focus of much theory and research debate. They have been the focus of much theory and research debate. One importance of Durkheim’s theory was to provide a way of conceptualizing the breakdown of families and moral regulation One importance of Durkheim’s theory was to provide a way of conceptualizing the breakdown of families and moral regulation

The Culture of Poverty Today W.J.Wilson is one of the most important conflict theorists today. W.J.Wilson is one of the most important conflict theorists today. The Truly Disadvantaged (1987)The Truly Disadvantaged (1987) When Work Disappears (1996)When Work Disappears (1996) His main argument is that job-flight produces culture of poverty as an adaptation: poverty culture of pov. His main argument is that job-flight produces culture of poverty as an adaptation: poverty culture of pov. But he also argues that the culture is self-maintaining: c. of pov poverty. But he also argues that the culture is self-maintaining: c. of pov poverty.

Simple (simplistic) differences between Marx and Durkheim Marx Marx Who gets what and why? Who gets what and why? Class and class struggle. Class and class struggle. Opposed interests of different groups. Opposed interests of different groups. Measures of social class, such as income Measures of social class, such as income Class class culture Class class culture Durkheim Durkheim What holds society together? What holds society together? Solidarity, norms and integration. Solidarity, norms and integration. Functional needs of the society Functional needs of the society Measures of family and religious ties. Measures of family and religious ties. Culture class Culture class

The liberal and the conservative Durkheims The more liberal or radical Durkheim is evident from :The more liberal or radical Durkheim is evident from : His role in the Dreyfus Affaire His role in the Dreyfus Affaire His analysis of The Division of Labor His analysis of The Division of Labor Especially the “forced division of labor” Especially the “forced division of labor” And his relations to Kant and to Marx in the Prefaces And his relations to Kant and to Marx in the Prefaces We will look as such issues on WednesdayWe will look as such issues on Wednesday The conservative Durkheim is an analyst of the importance of family and religious solidarity and of the effectiveness of a conventional, small town moral system.The conservative Durkheim is an analyst of the importance of family and religious solidarity and of the effectiveness of a conventional, small town moral system.

Durkheim’s most important empirical study: Suicide The prediction and explanation of suicide. The prediction and explanation of suicide. Seeing the forest for the trees: rates are social facts. Seeing the forest for the trees: rates are social facts. Suicide rates are social facts. Suicide rates are social facts. Durkheim argued that social facts must be explained by other social facts. Durkheim argued that social facts must be explained by other social facts.

The concept of egoistic suicide Some groups have consistently higher rates. Some groups have consistently higher rates. Basic idea of egoistic suicide: lack of social integration. Basic idea of egoistic suicide: lack of social integration. Eg. Men, singles, Protestants, peace time. Eg. Men, singles, Protestants, peace time. The concept of egoistic suicide is similar to individualism, and Durkheim’s analysis highlighted the importance of bonds to solidary groups. The concept of egoistic suicide is similar to individualism, and Durkheim’s analysis highlighted the importance of bonds to solidary groups. Similar to the Social Control theories of juvenile delinquency and crime. Similar to the Social Control theories of juvenile delinquency and crime.

The concept of altruistic suicide High rates in the military, Japan, India and preliterate societies. High rates in the military, Japan, India and preliterate societies. Basic idea: excess of social integration. Basic idea: excess of social integration. Sometimes the presence of solidarity and solidary groups, rather than their absence is viewed as the problem. Sometimes the presence of solidarity and solidary groups, rather than their absence is viewed as the problem. Possible extension to other areas. Possible extension to other areas. Bonds to the militaryBonds to the military Al Quaeda as a social bondAl Quaeda as a social bond

Anomie Durkheim’s most important contribution to sociology was the analysis of norms and normative integration. Durkheim’s most important contribution to sociology was the analysis of norms and normative integration. Talcott Parsons made that analysis the basis of “structural-functionalism”. Talcott Parsons made that analysis the basis of “structural-functionalism”. Some groups that were neither too bonded not to individualist had high suicide rates because they had weak norms. Some groups that were neither too bonded not to individualist had high suicide rates because they had weak norms. The weakening of norms is called anomie. The weakening of norms is called anomie. Merton made the analysis of “structural strain” leading to anomie the basis of many theories of crime and delinquency. Merton made the analysis of “structural strain” leading to anomie the basis of many theories of crime and delinquency.

The concept of anomic suicide There are high suicide rates during periods of prosperity, among the educated, among professionals, in urban areas, among those mobile geographically or socially. There are high suicide rates during periods of prosperity, among the educated, among professionals, in urban areas, among those mobile geographically or socially. Durkheim argued that these groups lack normative (moral) regulation. Durkheim argued that these groups lack normative (moral) regulation. The weakening of normative systems is called anomie, and it is one of the fundamental concepts of functional sociology. The weakening of normative systems is called anomie, and it is one of the fundamental concepts of functional sociology.

The concept of fatalistic suicide Fatalistic suicide is defined as suicide resulting from an excess of normative integration. Fatalistic suicide is defined as suicide resulting from an excess of normative integration. Durkheim argued that it is rare in modern societyDurkheim argued that it is rare in modern society But there may well be contemporary examples.But there may well be contemporary examples. Intense moral commitment often leads to group suicides. Intense moral commitment often leads to group suicides. Massada, Thermopolae, Jonestown, Islamic Jihad, Al Quaeda.Massada, Thermopolae, Jonestown, Islamic Jihad, Al Quaeda. E.g. religious conflicts often generate people willing to die for their beliefs.E.g. religious conflicts often generate people willing to die for their beliefs.

Implications of Durkheim’s analysis: Durkheim’s analysis of suicide had several different kinds of implications: Durkheim’s analysis of suicide had several different kinds of implications: 1. Methodological: “social facts” 2. Substantive: social and normative integration. 3. Political-normative: the balance of self and society

Methodological: “social facts” One of the primary implications of his analysis was complementary to the Chicago school’s observation that different neighborhoods had different rates of social problems: One of the primary implications of his analysis was complementary to the Chicago school’s observation that different neighborhoods had different rates of social problems: Durkheim argued that social facts need to be explained by other social facts. Durkheim argued that social facts need to be explained by other social facts. The distinct rates in different social positions or social structures cannot be explained by psychology. The distinct rates in different social positions or social structures cannot be explained by psychology.

Social and Normative integration. Many people prior to Durkheim had stressed the importance of moral values or of family and religious ties. Many people prior to Durkheim had stressed the importance of moral values or of family and religious ties. Durkheim showed how to get at them rigorously and quantitatively; Durkheim showed how to get at them rigorously and quantitatively; their interconnection; their interconnection; and their social structural roots that are as real as a rock. and their social structural roots that are as real as a rock.

The balance of self and society Durkheim believed that solidary groups and social norms are what make humans human. Durkheim believed that solidary groups and social norms are what make humans human. But he believed that both group bonds and normative ideals could be excessive as well as inadequate. But he believed that both group bonds and normative ideals could be excessive as well as inadequate. He welcomed modern society and individual freedom. He welcomed modern society and individual freedom. His central problem was the reconciliation of freedom and diversity with norms His central problem was the reconciliation of freedom and diversity with norms