1. The Sociology of Freedom How free are we?

2. EXPLAINING DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PEOPLE/GROUPS BIOLOGICAL: cause of behavior is related to people’s genetic differences SOCIOLOGICAL: cause of behavior is related to people’s sociological differences

3. THE SOCIOLOGICAL ARGUMENT HINGES ON THE DEBATE BETWEEN: FREE-WILL: people choose the majority of their actions & thoughts vs. DETERMINISM: people’s actions & thoughts are shaped by factors and forces largely outside of their control

4. Free Will-Libertarian Position People are always free to think/act other than the way they do Our economic and political circumstances are PRIMARILY shaped by our individual choices (rich people make smart choices and poor people make unwise decisions) Our emotions get in the way of understanding freedom (monkeys video)(monkeys video) Often associated with Republicans - conservatives

5. ACHIEVEMENT IDEOLOGY Every American has an equal chance of “making it” Every American can succeed if they work hard enough

6. Conservatism While actions are both enabled and constrained by factors outside of our control we ALWAYS have the ability to choose The good society exists when people take responsibility for their decisions When people are responsible, the government can be down-sized and organized in a way that benefits everyone and not just less responsible people or decision-makers in power –and the “free market” can operate effectively Communitarian relief should be used sparingly because the more the government helps people, the less individuals take responsibility –and the less society prospers

7. Determinist-Communitarian Position Material conditions shape all aspects of our lives Personal choices only partially shape our socioeconomic circumstances (poor people lack opportunities more than the desire not to be poor…) Sometimes the “constraints” are subtle (free hugs video)(free hugs video) Usually associated with Democrats - liberals

8. Laughter and Others There are thousands of studies about how other people affect our actions One on laughter and others: –42 percent of similarity in humorous movie evaluations when audience members can see one another –29 percent of similarity when audience cannot see one another

9. Liberalism The government should be used to negate any threat to individual or collective liberty and to better society An individual’s freedom is not more important than the freedom of all members of society –the government should infringe on individual rights if an individual is infringing the rights of others Personal advancement is good, as long as it doesn’t impede the advancement of others The good society exists when all people have the opportunity to pursue individual goals The “free market” invariably must be regulated

10. What’s the difference between Republicans and Democrats? One Party Video Huey Long Purple America – RRP web site One Party Video Huey Long Purple America – RRP web site

11. Sociological Perspective The actions of people are both “free” and “determined” by factors and forces outside of their control Sociologists focus on studying the patterns of the factors and forces that structure our life –We often appear to be “liberal” because we understand these patterns - and we focus on them and discuss them and we try to fix them

12. Gambling Sociologists are often liberally-oriented (i.e., they want to use the government to fix problems) because we understand how structure affects people’s lives in ways they do not understand and cannot control For example, gambling –casinos create addicts –we know how to curtail gambling addiction –Should we?

13. What are the essential questions for sociologists who study freedom?

14. How do the following limit or enable your own freedom? (think only of yourself) Educational System Government Family System

15. CONSERVATISM 1. RESISTANCE TO CHANGE 2. REVERENCE FOR TRADITION AND A DISTRUST OF HUMAN REASON 3. REJECTION OF THE USE OF GOVT. TO IMPROVE THE HUMAN CONDITION (AMBIVALENCE REGARDING GOVT. ACTIVITY) 4. FAVORING INDIVIDUAL FREEDOM (FROM GOVERNMENT CONTROL)

16. CONSERVATISM 5. ANTI-EGALITARIAN (DISTRUST OF HUMAN NATURE BECAUSE HUMANS ARE SELFISH AND FEAR-BASED) 6. SUPPORT LOCAL GOVERNMENTS 7. FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY

17. LIBERALISM 1. FAVOR CHANGE 2. POSSESSING FAITH IN HUMAN REASON 3. BEING WILLING TO USE GOVT. TO IMPROVE THE HUMAN CONDITION 4. FAVORING INDIVIDUAL FREEDOM (FROM CORPORATE INTRUSION)

18. LIBERALISM 5. BEING AMBIVALENT REGARDING HUMAN NATURE (PEOPLE ARE BASICALLY GOOD AND PROBLEMS TEND TO BE A RESULT OF BAD CIRCUMSTANCES AND NOT THE “BADNESS” OR SELFISHNESS OF PEOPLE)