technology is moving at a rapid pace and our form of communication is quickly shifting

Contact between people were more limited but intimate, however now it is quite the opposite

"Unsurprisingly, the rise of digital technology and social media also deeply affects contentious politics as well as the organization of and participation in social movements."

Though there was less physical contact with the outside world due to the uptick in social media and the evolution of electronics, also came the breakthrough in exposure to current world events throughout the globe; there was now a way to protest without having to hold a sign and march or stand at an establishment.

"Social change is defined as significant alteration over time in behavior patterns and culture (W. Moore 1967)."

Relative Deprivation Approach:

• Relative deprivation refers to the perception of a negative discrepancy between expectations and reality. It’s not about absolute poverty, but the feeling that you deserve more than what you have compared to others.
• People may feel deprived not because they are objectively poor, but because they feel worse off compared to a reference group (e.g., blue-collar workers compared to corporate managers).
• Key elements for mobilization:
  • People must feel they have a right to their goals and that they deserve more.
  • They must believe their goals can't be achieved through normal channels, leading to collective action.

Criticism: Not all feelings of deprivation lead to social movements, and the theory doesn't explain why only some cases of dissatisfaction turn into movements.

Resource Mobilization Approach:

• This approach focuses on the resources needed to start and sustain a social movement, such as money, political influence, media access, and personnel.

Success depends on how well a movement recruits followers and marshals resources.

Leadership is crucial, often involving charismatic leaders (e.g., Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.) who can inspire and organize followers.

Additional Key Points:

• Public Opinion: Even unsuccessful movements contribute to shaping public opinion (e.g., birth control advocacy initially seen as radical is now accepted).
• Global Movements: Social movements often transcend national borders, especially in today’s world of global communication and activism, facilitated by the internet.
• Sociological Inquiry: Sociologists analyze why movements emerge, focusing on discontent and the conditions that lead to collective action.

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Charisma and Social Movements:

• Max Weber defined charisma in 1904 as a quality that sets certain individuals apart from others, making them influential leaders.

Charismatic leadership can play a pivotal role in social movements but is fragile, as charisma can fade, leading to the decline of a movement. Recruitment is crucial to a movement’s growth. Karl Marx emphasized the need for leaders to awaken the oppressed (like workers) to their exploitation, encouraging the development of class consciousness. Marx believed leaders needed to help workers overcome false consciousness (a lack of awareness of their true position) to spark a revolution. Similar challenges were faced by the women’s liberation movement of the late 1960s and 1970s, where activists had to convince women of their deprivation and inequality.

Gender and Social Movements:

• Gender and sexual identities are essential to understanding social movements. Traditionally, male leaders and heterosexual norms have dominated society, which has influenced how social movements are perceived and analyzed.

Social movements have historically focused on male-dominated spaces (e.g., legislatures, corporate boardrooms) and neglected female-dominated areas like households and community groups.

• The feminist perspective has challenged this bias by bringing attention to overlooked domains and emphasizing the importance of emotion in social movements.
• Passion and emotion play a critical role in many movements, from labor rights to voting rights, but these elements are often dismissed or only associated with women’s movements due to traditional gender biases.

New Social Movements:

• Since the late 1960s, new social movements have emerged, shifting focus from traditional labor and economic issues to broader concerns like women’s rights, peace, and the environment.
• Unlike earlier movements that were often led by labor unions or people of the same occupation, these new movements don't have the same social-class roots as previous protests.
• Examples include movements like the contemporary women’s movement, which are less rooted in labor and class and more in identity, human rights, and environmental concerns.

This passage discusses the role of women in social movements across various countries, focusing on different approaches to studying these movements, their goals, and their challenges. Below are the key points:

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Macro-Level (National) Approach: South Korea:

• The macro-level approach has been useful in studying the women’s movement in South Korea, which contributed to the overthrow of the authoritarian regime in 1987.
• After the fall of the regime, women formed the Korean Women’s Association United (KWAU), advocating for issues like family rights, education, sexual harassment, and the environment.

The KWAU has played a central role in organizing the annual Women’s Day and has even collaborated with the government, although progress has been inconsistent depending on the administration’s stance on women's issues.

• The movement has also expanded to the international stage, reaching out to the United Nations and other bodies to address issues such as human trafficking and women's equality.

In recent years, the KWAU has organized campaigns for living wages and employment opportunities for women.

Local Approach: India:

• In India, women’s social movements are more locally based, particularly in rural communities where the majority of the population lives in poverty.
• In the 1980s, textile workers’ strikes led to the formation of a new rural movement, the Shoshit, Shetkari, Kashtakari, Kamgar, Mukti Sangharsh (SSKKMS), which sought to provide drought relief for farmers and empower rural residents.

The movement grew out of the need for employment and economic security in villages, highlighting the exploitation of rural laborers.

Bangladesh: Women's Empowerment through Local Initiatives:

• In Bangladesh, women engaged in local development projects like fish farming to improve nutrition and income in rural areas.

These projects not only provided economic benefits but also increased women’s autonomy. Women shared their experiences and strategies nationwide, and even with countries in Africa like Mozambique and Uganda.

• Although these women did not form formal movements, their collective efforts empowered them in significant ways, particularly after migrating to urban areas.
• In cities, Bangladeshi women saw improvements in empowerment indicators, such as making independent financial decisions, managing health care, and exercising control over personal choices, including household spending and social media usage.

This passage emphasizes the diversity of women’s movements globally, shaped by their unique socio-political contexts. It highlights the importance of local vs. national strategies, collaboration with governments, and how movements address issues like economic empowerment and social equality.

The passage defines new social movements as organized collective activities that focus on values, social identities, and improvements in the quality of life. These movements often emphasize the development of collective identities and address multiple complex issues, sometimes crossing national boundaries.

Key Points: Broader Focus:

• New social movements tend to address more than just one issue. They engage with broader concerns, such as social values, identity, and quality of life.

Crossing Boundaries:

• These movements often transcend national borders, involving global participation and addressing issues that resonate across different societies.

Participants:

• Educated, middle-class individuals are prominently involved in many new social movements, including the women’s movement and the lesbian and gay rights movement.

Government Relations:

• Unlike traditional movements, new social movements typically do not view the government as an ally in their efforts.

While they do not aim to overthrow the government, they often criticize, protest, or harass public officials to achieve their goals.

• This passage highlights the distinct characteristics of new social movements, including their focus on identity, values, and quality of life, as well as their critical stance toward governments.

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This passage explains how social media and computer-mediated communication (CMC) have transformed modern social movements, enabling them to grow faster and mobilize without the need for traditional face-to-face interactions. It also discusses the global scope of modern social movements and their relationship with established authority. Below are the key points:

• Social Media's Role in Social Movements:

Platforms like Twitter have become legitimate news sources, providing real-time information about government actions and inactions. Social media empowers a wide range of activists, including feminists, immigration protesters, LGBTQ+ activists, and environmentalists.

• Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC):

CMC refers to interactions through networked devices like computers or smartphones. These interactions can include emails, text messages, and social media, strengthening group solidarity and accelerating the development of social movements. Face-to-face contact is no longer essential for organizing movements, as online platforms allow activists to connect and mobilize quickly.

• Legitimacy of Online Movements:

The legitimacy of movements that primarily operate online is debated, as some question whether these digital forms of activism are as effective or genuine as traditional, on-the-ground movements.

• Global Communication and Public Health:

Modern technology enables extensive data collection, which could be used for purposes like contact tracing during a pandemic, such as COVID-19. However, there is hesitation about government surveillance, as shown by surveys in Singapore, where only 30% of people were willing to use a government app for health tracking.

• Resistance to Established Authority:

Activists, especially in movements like the environmental and anti-nuclear power movements, often reject established authority, preferring to present their own experts instead of relying on government or corporate experts.

• Global Focus of Social Movements:

Many new social movements, such as the environmental movement, have a worldwide focus, recognizing that local action alone is not enough to tackle global issues like climate change, pollution, and exploitation by multinational corporations.

• New Social Movement Theory:

Unlike traditional movements that focus on local resource mobilization, new social movements adopt a global perspective, addressing worldwide social and political activism. This passage highlights how digital technology and global communication are reshaping social movements, making them more agile, interconnected, and capable of addressing complex, international issues. However, questions remain about the legitimacy of online activism and concerns over data privacy.

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This passage explores how social movements have evolved with the rise of social media and online communication, drawing on the work of Manuel Castells and addressing the complexities of online activism and social change theories. Here's a summary of the main points:

• Online Social Movements:

Hashtags like #HandsUpDontShoot, #MeToo, #TimesUp, and #BlackLivesMatter have become powerful rallying points, enabling people to engage with causes from almost anywhere. Social media allows anyone with an internet connection to participate, making it easier for movements to spread globally. However, it is harder for those without access to internet or technology to engage in this form of activism, which may create barriers to broader participation.

• Authority’s Response to Online Activism:

Governments are increasingly monitoring and sometimes restricting access to online platforms used for anti-government movements. Authorities may view these movements either as promoting social change or as encouraging negative behaviors, depending on the content and intent of the activism.

• Controversies in Online Movements:

The double-edged nature of free expression is evident online. While some movements aim to promote positive social change, others may endorse harmful or controversial behaviors, such as self-injury or eating disorders. Websites that promote self-destructive behavior illustrate the darker side of online activism. While these sites might support certain communities, they also highlight the potential for misuse of social platforms.

• Social Movements and Participation:

Digital inequality limits who can participate in online activism. Those from poorer backgrounds or with limited education may be excluded from digital movements. Movements with sophisticated websites or resources may gain more attention than grassroots efforts with limited digital presence, similar to how a polished campaign often overshadows a hand-painted placard.

• Theories of Social Change:

The passage briefly introduces theories of social change that explain how societies evolve over time. These theories include: Evolutionary Theory: Stemming from Charles Darwin's work, this theory views society as progressing through stages toward a more advanced state. Auguste Comte, an evolutionary theorist, believed that societies move from mythology to scientific thinking, following a linear path toward progress.

Discussion Questions: Legitimacy of Social Movements: Have you participated in a social movement that some viewed as controversial? What were the objections, and did you find them valid? Controversy in Social Movements: Can any social movement ever be completely free from controversy? Would you want to live in a society where no dissent is tolerated?

Conclusion: The intersection of online communication and social movements has revolutionized how people organize and mobilize, but it also raises important questions about access, legitimacy, and the role of authority in monitoring or controlling these movements. Theories of social change, such as evolutionary theory, help contextualize these developments by examining broader patterns of societal transformation.

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The text you've provided outlines various sociological perspectives on social change, specifically focusing on evolutionary theory, functionalism, and conflict theory. Here's a brief summary of these viewpoints:

Evolutionary Theory: This theory, influenced by Charles Darwin’s ideas of biological evolution, suggests that societies progress through stages, moving towards higher forms of organization. Auguste Comte and Émile Durkheim are proponents of this view. Modern applications of this theory include studies in human ecology and sociobiology.

Functionalist Perspective (Talcott Parsons): Functionalists, like Parsons, view society as a system in equilibrium, emphasizing stability over change. Parsons proposed four inevitable processes of social change:

Differentiation: Increasing complexity in social roles and institutions. Adaptive Upgrading: Specialization of social institutions. Inclusion: Incorporating previously excluded groups into societal roles. Value Generalization: Developing new values to accommodate a broader range of activities. These processes contribute to societal stability even amidst change.

Conflict Perspective: In contrast, conflict theory, associated with Karl Marx, emphasizes that social change arises from inequality and conflict between groups. Change is necessary to rectify social injustices, and unlike functionalism, it sees change as disruptive but essential for progress.

The final part mentions an example of social change: women in Saudi Arabia being allowed into stadiums for the first time in 2018, illustrating cultural shifts that manifest differently across societies.

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Theoretical Perspectives on Social Change Evolutionary Theory:

Society progresses through stages, analogous to biological evolution. Auguste Comte and Émile Durkheim viewed societal development as moving from simple to more complex forms. Influences modern sociological fields like human ecology and sociobiology. Functionalist Perspective (Talcott Parsons):

Society strives for equilibrium and stability. Changes are seen as temporary disruptions that must be adjusted for stability. Parsons identified four processes of social change: differentiation, adaptive upgrading, inclusion, and value generalization. Emphasizes stability and the adaptation of new forms of integration. Conflict Perspective (Karl Marx):

Social change is driven by conflict between groups, particularly between those with power and those without. Marx viewed societal development as a series of class struggles leading to a classless communist society. Conflict is seen as a necessary force for addressing inequalities and injustices. Ralf Dahrendorf highlighted the compatibility of functionalist and conflict perspectives in understanding societal contradictions. Resistance to Social Change Vested Interests:

Groups or individuals who benefit from the current state of affairs resist changes that would harm their interests. Examples include industries resisting regulation on products like tobacco or tanning salons. Economic and Cultural Factors:

Economic costs of meeting safety and environmental standards can lead to resistance. Cultural factors, including the “not in my backyard” (NIMBY) attitude, reflect resistance to changes that affect local communities but not universally accepted. On a global scale, anti-globalization movements challenge issues like nuclear proliferation and labor rights. Critical Thinking on the Coronavirus Pandemic To apply social change theories to the pandemic:

Evolutionary Theory: The pandemic accelerated certain societal changes, such as increased reliance on remote work and digital communication, moving society toward more technologically advanced and complex forms of interaction. Functionalist Perspective: The pandemic disrupted societal equilibrium but also led to adaptations, like new health practices and economic policies, aiming to restore balance and stability. Conflict Perspective: The pandemic highlighted and exacerbated existing inequalities, such as disparities in healthcare access and economic vulnerability. Social change efforts aimed to address these inequalities, but resistance from entrenched interests may have hindered progress.

This approach helps in understanding how societies evolve and adapt in response to crises and challenges.

---- 11 Theoretical Perspectives on Social Change Evolutionary Theory:

Concept: This theory likens societal development to biological evolution, suggesting a progression from simpler to more complex forms. Influence: The idea that societies evolve over time influences various sociological fields. For example, human ecology examines how communities interact with their environments, while sociobiology explores the biological basis of social behavior. Functionalist Perspective (Talcott Parsons):

Concept: Functionalism views society as a system of interrelated parts that strive for equilibrium. Changes are seen as temporary disruptions to the balance, which must be managed to restore stability. Processes Identified by Parsons: Differentiation: The increasing complexity and specialization of social roles. Adaptive Upgrading: The refinement and specialization of social institutions. Inclusion: The integration of previously excluded groups into social institutions. Value Generalization: The broadening of societal values to accommodate a wider range of activities. Conflict Perspective (Karl Marx):

Concept: Conflict theory argues that social change is driven by conflicts between different classes or groups, particularly between those in power and those who are not. Marx’s View: Marx believed that history is a series of class struggles, leading to eventual revolutionary changes. The final goal is a classless society where resources and power are distributed more equally. Ralf Dahrendorf: Dahrendorf argued that while conflict and stability seem contradictory, they can coexist and even complement each other. For instance, social changes can lead to new forms of stability and integration. Resistance to Social Change Vested Interests:

Concept: Those who benefit from the current state of affairs have a stake in maintaining it and may resist changes that threaten their advantages. Examples: Tobacco companies resisting anti-smoking regulations or tanning salons opposing restrictions on their services. Economic and Cultural Factors:

Economic Costs: Implementing safety and environmental standards can be expensive, leading to resistance from businesses that may cut corners or lobby against regulations. Cultural Factors: The NIMBY (Not In My Backyard) attitude reflects resistance to local changes, even if the changes are necessary for broader societal benefit. On a global scale, anti-globalization movements address issues like labor rights and environmental concerns. Applying Theories to the Coronavirus Pandemic Evolutionary Theory:

Acceleration of Change: The pandemic hastened the shift towards remote work, online education, and digital communication, reflecting an evolutionary trend towards more technologically advanced societal interactions. Functionalist Perspective:

Disruption and Adaptation: The pandemic disrupted existing social and economic equilibria but also led to new adaptations such as telemedicine, remote work policies, and adjustments in public health practices. Conflict Perspective:

Exacerbation of Inequalities: The pandemic highlighted and worsened existing social inequalities, such as disparities in healthcare access and economic vulnerability. Efforts to address these issues faced resistance from various entrenched interests. These perspectives offer valuable insights into how societies navigate change and resistance. If you want to explore any of these points in more detail or have specific questions, just let me know!

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Applying Sociological Imagination to Social Change Sociological Imagination: This concept, introduced by C. Wright Mills, involves understanding the interplay between individual experiences and larger societal forces. To use the sociological imagination to analyze why certain people or groups might be more or less likely to embrace social change, consider these social factors:

Economic Status:

• More Likely to Embrace: Individuals or groups with greater economic resources might be more willing to embrace change because they can afford the risks or costs associated with new ventures. For example, wealthy individuals or companies may invest in new technologies or support social innovations.
• Less Likely to Embrace: Those with fewer resources may resist change due to fear of instability or economic loss. For example, workers in industries facing automation might oppose technological advancements that threaten their jobs.

Education and Knowledge:

• More Likely to Embrace: Higher levels of education often correlate with a greater openness to new ideas and changes. Educated individuals are more likely to understand and adapt to complex changes, such as advancements in technology or shifts in social norms.
• Less Likely to Embrace: Lack of education or misinformation can lead to resistance to change. For instance, people without access to accurate information may resist scientific recommendations or new public health guidelines.

Social and Cultural Norms:

• More Likely to Embrace: Groups that are more progressive or have a history of adapting to change are often more open to new ideas. Cultural norms that value innovation and flexibility can facilitate acceptance of social changes.
• Less Likely to Embrace: Traditional or conservative cultural norms can lead to resistance. For example, societies with strong traditional values might resist changes related to gender roles or family structures.

Political and Social Power:

• More Likely to Embrace: Those in positions of power or with influence may drive and support social change if it aligns with their interests or vision. Leaders, policymakers, and influential organizations often play key roles in shaping and promoting change.
• Less Likely to Embrace: Those who hold power or benefit from the status quo might resist change to maintain their advantages. For example, industries with vested interests in maintaining current regulations might lobby against changes that threaten their profits.

Exposure to Diverse Perspectives:

• More Likely to Embrace: Individuals or groups exposed to diverse perspectives and experiences are often more open to change. Exposure can come through travel, media, or social networks that challenge existing viewpoints.

(Less Likely to Embrace: Insularity and limited exposure to different viewpoints can lead to resistance. For example, communities with little interaction with outside cultures might resist changes brought by globalization.

Global Social Change and Predicting Change

• Global Social Change: Recent events like the collapse of communism, global terrorism, and technological advancements demonstrate the dramatic nature of global social change. Maureen Hallinan and Randall Collins highlighted the need to move beyond linear and equilibrium models of social change.

Anticipating Change: Historical Context: Understanding past patterns and sequences of events can help predict future changes. Collins’s prediction about the Soviet Union’s collapse illustrates how analyzing historical and geopolitical factors can offer insights into potential transformations.

Technological and Scientific Developments: Changes like the rise of AI, advancements in genetic research, and new pandemic diseases highlight the ongoing impact of technological and scientific progress. Observing these developments can provide clues about future societal shifts. Case Study: Social Change in Dubai Dubai's Transformation:

Initial State: In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Dubai was a small pearl-fishing village. Oil Discovery: The discovery of oil in 1966 marked the beginning of significant economic and social changes.

Reinvention: Facing limited oil reserves, Dubai reinvented itself as a free-trade zone and later as a hub for information technology and tourism. This rapid transformation demonstrates how a city can evolve dramatically within a short period through strategic reinvention and investment.

Dubai's story exemplifies how a combination of resource utilization, strategic planning, and adaptation can lead to significant and rapid social change. This case highlights the potential for dramatic transformation when societies leverage their resources and adapt to global trends.

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Problems in Dubai and Anticipating Social Issues

• Anticipating Problems in Dubai: Several of the challenges Dubai faces could have been anticipated based on its rapid development and socio-economic model:

Environmental Impact: Anticipated: Dubai's rapid industrialization and reliance on luxury lifestyles led to high environmental costs. The opening of the coal-fired power plant in 2020 is an example of the environmental consequences of such rapid development. With its heavy consumption of resources and minimal natural renewable resources, environmental degradation was a foreseeable issue.

Economic Dependence:

• Anticipated: Dubai's economy, heavily reliant on oil and tourism, made it vulnerable to global economic fluctuations. The 2008 recession and the COVID-19 pandemic revealed this vulnerability. A diversified economy or investment in other sectors could have mitigated this risk.

Social Inequality:

Anticipated: The reliance on a large population of low-wage migrant workers created significant social issues, including exploitation and poor living conditions. The lack of legal protections for these workers and the disparity between the affluent locals and the immigrant labor force were foreseeable problems given the socio-economic structure.

Political and Social Stability:

• Anticipated: The lack of democratic processes and limited public opposition might contribute to social unrest or dissatisfaction, particularly in times of economic hardship. Historical examples suggest that lack of political freedoms can lead to social and political instability.

Computer Technology and Global Inequality Impact of Computer Technology: The rise of computer technology and the Internet has brought about significant changes, but it also highlights global inequalities:

Digital Divide:

• Global Inequality: There is a clear divide between core nations (North America, Europe, and industrialized regions) and peripheral nations (Asia, Africa, and Latin America) regarding access to information technology. Core nations have more resources and infrastructure to support advanced technology, while peripheral nations often lag behind.

Technological Advancement:

• Industry Transformation: Advances in robotics and digitization have transformed industries globally, but the benefits are not equally distributed. Industrial robots and automation have increased productivity and efficiency, but also raised concerns about job displacement and economic inequality.

Access to Information:

• Information Monopoly: Core nations hold most of the world’s Internet hosts and control much of the digital information flow. Peripheral nations depend on core nations for technology and information, which perpetuates global inequality in access to resources and opportunities.

Technological Innovation and Social Change Technological Advances: Technological innovations have dramatically altered various aspects of society:

Cultural Impact:

• Changes in Culture: Technologies such as the Internet and smartphones have changed how people interact, socialize, and consume information. They have introduced new cultural practices and altered traditional norms.

Socialization and Institutions:

• Impact on Institutions: Technology has transformed social institutions, including education, healthcare, and governance. Online learning, telemedicine, and digital governance are examples of how technology reshapes these institutions.

Social Interactions:

• Changes in Interaction: The way people communicate and build relationships has been revolutionized by digital media. Social media platforms, instant messaging, and video conferencing have reshaped personal and professional interactions.

Understanding these dynamics can help anticipate and address potential issues arising from rapid social and technological changes.