Sociology: Discussion 8
Social change is the alterations and modification of mechanisms and systems within the social structure, which are characterized by the changes in behavior rules, social organizations, cultural and traditional symbols and value systems (Vago. 2003). In this essay, the views of C. Wright Mills and Ralph Dahrendorf regarding social change are compared and are explained with the help of examples. Moreover, which of these approaches is better is also discussed.
C. Wright Mills, who is not a neo-Marxist and a conflict theorist, considers that work is power centered. He has argued that the leaders in union are quite uncompromising and they do not consider the workers in labor force as revolutionary and innovative forces. He has criticized white collar workers, who only consider their self interest and do not take the society into account that is responsible for larger change in the society. Further, he said that power elites are emerging in the society and the world of white collars is keeping the power elites on the top in society. There is a power triangle that comprise of military, industry and politics. The types of power exercised by these elites are authority, coercion and manipulation that are bringing social change to a larger extent.
Moreover, in order to explain social change C. Wright Mills have introduced the concept of sociological imagination in order to think about the social issue imaginatively (George Ritzer & Stepnisky Jeffrey. 2013). Sociological imagination is in fact an awareness of relationship between the individual and society (John D Brewer. 2004). It allows an individual to think beyond the personal problems and to consider wider aspects and public issues. For example, divorce is unquestionably a hardship, a personal problem for both husband and wife. But, if sociological imaginations are considered then divorce is not a personal distress for a specific man or a woman, but instead a concern of whole society. Considering this prospective, an increase in the rate if divorce will help in redefining family, the most important and major institution of the society.
According to Ralph Dahrendorf, a renowned conflict theorist and contrary to Wright Mills, he is highly influenced by views of Marxists. According to him social change can occur at any time. Social change occurs in the society due to two major reasons, which are consensus and conflict. The society cannot survive without these two elements. Consensus indicates the societal value integration and conflict is the representative of the conflict of the interest. For example, the men doing job in the organizations are greatly unlikely for conflicting with the women teaching in schools. This is due to the reason that there is no contact among them and even there is no integration among them that serve as basis for the conflict. However, there are chances that conflict paves the way to consensus.
For example, trust building among the Minnesota environmentalists and the Department of Natural Resource, after the environmental conflict, the main purpose of which was to protect the environment. Moreover, Dahrendorf has introduced a conflict theory in which he has mentioned his own views regarding social change. In order to further explain social change, he has described the term authority, groups, conflict and change (George Ritzer & Stepnisky Jeffrey. 2013). He has considered authority as non-static and non- constant because according to him people do not possess authority, instead it inhabit in the position. He regarded tension as a constant factor in the society. A person possessing authority position at one place does not have the same position of authority at the other place. For example, the president of America exercise power and authority in his own country, but he cannot exercise his power in other country such as in Pakistan, India etc. so this concept give rise to subordinates and superior positions. This creates a change in the society.
Furthermore, Dahrendorf has introduced quasi groups the individuals in the society that perform same role, interest groups are those whose interest, structure, personnel and goal are similar. Conflict groups are those that are actually involved in the process of conflict. He explained that, In case of the intense conflict, the changes occur are drastic and these severe changes alters the entire social structure.
Both the conflict theorists believe that society undergoes change; they consider that conflicts of interests arise at all points in the social system. They are also same on the point that the elements in the society do not remain stable instead they are subject to change and they also agree on the point that no matter whatever order is prevailing in the society, change results from the power that is exercised from the top.
I agree more with C. Wright Mills because; he has given a true picture of the society. He has introduced the concept of the power elites that are exercising undue influence on people and society. Instead of any constructive works it is badly affecting the society and is leading to change in the social structure and that change is destruction. Moreover, he has introduced the concept of sociological imagination that enables an individual to think on its own about the society and also to view his/her society from outsider perspective by keeping aside cultural biases and personal experiences and troubles. It brings new and innovative understanding to the daily life that helps in solving the problem that society is facing.
References
Vago, Steven. Social Change. London: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2003.
Ritzer, George, and Stepnisky, Jeffrey. Contemporary Sociological Theory and Its Classical Roots. New York: McGraw Hill Education, 2013
Brewer, John D. “Imagining the Sociological Imagination: The Biographical Context of a Sociological Classic”. British Journal of Sociology 55, no. 1 (2004) : 317-333
