Human nature

Theory of human individual and social character. There is a ‘natural’ human character as there is a natural shape to a particular plant or a natural form to a particular animal. This human nature is prior to the particularities of any time or place. Also see: dialectic, dialectical materialism Source: David Miller et al., eds, The

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Internal colonialism (20TH CENTURY)

Theory of the distribution of power and advantage within states. Within apparently unified states there is a form of colonialism practised by the center against the periphery, as for example by London and the south-east of England against Scotland and Wales. Economic resources and power are concentrated at the center, to the advantage of which the periphery is subordinated. Culture,

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Law of the small number (20TH CENTURY)

Theory of the German social scientist Max Weber (1864-1920) regarding the influence of small groups in key positions. ‘The ruling minority can quickly reach understanding among its members; it is thus able at any time quickly to initiate that rationally organized action which is necessary to preserve its position of power.’ A concise statement of practical elitism. Source:

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Mass society (20TH CENTURY)

Theory of modern society. Old hierarchies have been replaced by a society in which everyone is an isolated individual. But because social order is unavoidable, it is created by herding people into organizations and movements led despotically from above. Source: David Miller et al., eds, The Blackwell Encyclopaedia of Political Thought (Oxford, 1987) Concept

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New age (20TH CENTURY)

Semi-ethical, semi-religious theory of cultural renewal. So called ‘new-age theory’ is not a coherent doctrine, but a mixture of cultural, ecological, pantheistic and communalist beliefs which from the 1980s, particularly in North American and Western Europe, were presented as an alternative to ‘consumerist’ values. Also see: communalism Source: Monica Sjooo, New Age and Armageddon (London,

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Piecemeal social engineering (20TH CENTURY)

Theory of proper method of social reform employed by Austrian philosopher Karl Popper (1902-1994). Rather than engage in grand schemes, government should deal with problems as they emerge, and respond to social or economic deficiencies in an ad hoc manner. Piecemeal social engineering was a concept favored by those attracted to the idea of an end of

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Racism

Theory of the biologically determined basis of human social character. The term ‘racism’ is used critically of those employing such theory, rather than as a term of self description. Humans are divided into biologically distinct groups whose characteristics are passed on by inheritance. Differences in ability, taste, aptitude and culture are thus explained by

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Relative deprivation (20TH CENTURY)

A theory of the causes of social and political discontent. People are roused to political action as a result not of absolute changes in their material conditions but of changes relative to the circumstances of those with whom they compare themselves. Source: W G Runciman, Relative Deprivation and Social Justice (London, 1966) Theory In

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Social Darwinism (19TH CENTURY)

Attempted application of theory of the survival of the fittest to public policy. The provision of social services allowed the ‘unfit’ to survive, and reproduce children who inherited their social characteristics. Such services, therefore, however well-meaning, damaged society. Also see: eugenics Source: David Miller et al., eds, The Blackwell Encyclopaedia of Political Thought (Oxford, 1987) Social Darwinism refers

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Social Theories

Theory n A model or framework (made up of a body of principles) to explain phenomena. The word ‘theory’ derives from the Greek word ‘theorein’, which means ‘to look at’. Choose social theories from the menu on the right. Definitions Social theory by definition is used to make distinctions and generalizations among different types of societies, and to analyze modernity as

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Sociobiology (1975)

Developed and popularized by American zoologist Edward O. Wilson (1929- ) in his text Sociobiology: The New Synthesis (1975), this is the study of animal and human social behavior in the light of evolutionary biology. Sociobiology encompasses the idea that evolution by natural selection applies to behavior as it applies to physiology and morphology,

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Spontaneous order (20TH CENTURY)

Theory of Austrian social scientist Friedrich A. Hayek (1899-1992). Social order is not deliberately created but arises out of the natural selection of those institutions and values and practices which are effective, so that a traditional framework develops over time within which individuals may operate securely. Source: F A Hayek, Law, Legislation and Liberty (London, 1982)

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Structural functionalism (20TH CENTURY)

A more systematic exposition of functionalism, particularly employed in comparative politics. Societies and political systems may be compared, whatever their formal or institutional differences, in terms of the various functions which contribute to the operation of their overall structures. Source: Geoffrey Roberts and Alistair Edwards, A New Dictionary of Political Analysis (London, 1991) Theory In

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Survival of the fittest (19TH CENTURY)

Theory of social progress of English social scientist HERBERT SPENCER (1820-1903), wrongly attributed to Charles Darwin (1809-82). If government is kept to its minimum functions of the defence of persons and property, the enforcement of contracts, and the defence of the frontiers, individuals will flourish according to their ability or fitness to adapt to changing

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Exclusion theory (20TH CENTURY)

Also referred to as social closure theory. Groups maximize their own benefits by excluding non-members. At the same time they establish their identity as much by excluding non-members as by defining the characteristics of membership. Identity thus depends on the identification of ‘outsiders’ or ‘enemies’. Source: Frank Parkin, Marxism and Class Theory: A Bourgeois Critique

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anarcho-syndicalism

Anarcho-syndicalism[1] is a political philosophy and anarchist school of thought that views revolutionary industrial unionism or syndicalism as a method for workers in capitalist society to gain control of an economy and thus control influence in broader society. The end goal of syndicalism is to abolish the wage system, regarding it as wage slavery. Anarcho-syndicalist theory therefore generally focuses on the labour movement.[2] The basic principles of anarcho-syndicalism

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collectivism

Theory of social and political organization. The major problems facing individuals are ones which they share in common with others. The solutions, correspondingly, are most effective when pursued in common or collectively. The provision of welfare and the cultivation of the economy, in particular, are best conducted through collective rather than individual action. The

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conflict theory

Conflict theories are perspectives in sociology and social psychology that emphasize a materialist interpretation of history, dialectical method of analysis, a critical stance toward existing social arrangements, and political program of revolution or, at least, reform. Conflict theories draw attention to power differentials, such as class conflict, and generally contrast historically dominant ideologies. It is therefore a macro-level analysis of society. Karl Marx is regarded as the

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systems theory

Systems theory is the interdisciplinary study of systems. A system is a cohesive group of interrelated and interdependent parts which can be natural or human-made. Every system is bounded by space and time, influenced by its environment, defined by its structure and purpose, and expressed through its functioning. A system may be more than the sum of its parts if it

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