SOC 1305 Lecture 16: Nov 20th- Social Movements and Social Change
Document Summary
Social movements and social change: 6 traits of modern states: > linked to but not the same as the means of coercion (usually military and police) > identifiable governing structure (representative democracy, monarchy, dictatorship. > operates on rule of law (constitution, laws, codes, precedent) > protects citizens against threats in exchange for taxes and loyalty (social contract approach: variations in state scope. > size and reach varies by society and over time. Almost all aspects of daily life under control of the state. All economic and cultural entities owned and operated by the government. > in contrast, us until the civil war: Post office and small, poorly trained and equipped military. > common sense 2: big man theory of history. > sociological evidence: common people and opportunities and smart strategies: fast social change: movements. > most social change occurs slowly, over centuries. > but sometimes it happens within a lifetime due to deliberate human action.
