Showing papers in "International Sociology in 1988"
TL;DR: The perennial sociological problem of the incommensurability of concepts becomes acute in the context of comparative research as discussed by the authors, which shifts its emphasis from seeking uniformity to seeking uniqueness.
Abstract: The perennial sociological problem of the incommensurability of concepts becomes acute in the context of comparative research. In theoretical discourse second degree sociological concepts and the first degree societal concepts of the members of societies are both subject to this problem to which the unsatisfactory responses have been either radical relativism and theoretical anarchism, or ethnocentrism and dogmatism. Now actual historical tendencies, the globalisation of society and internationalisation of sociology are providing trans-societal and trans-theoretical concepts. At the same time the naturalistic model of comparative study of independent cases becomes less possible. Research shifts its emphasis from seeking uniformity to seeking uniqueness, and by cross-tabulating the focus and direction of comparative research we can develop a six-fold typology of comparisons: (1) encompassing, (2) universalising, (3) generalising, (4) individualising, (5) specifying, (6) particularising. The new opportuniti...
59Â citations
TL;DR: The social sciences are Western products and aspects of the socio-cultural dependency of the Third World as discussed by the authors. They are ethnocentric in terms of research areas and membership of research groups.
Abstract: The social sciences are Western products and aspects of the socio-cultural dependency of the Third World. They are ethnocentric in terms of research areas and membership of research groups. Within ...
48Â citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors trace the new role of time in social theory, beyond the dissatisfaction with theories of change, by identifying four developments: the clarification of historically independent processes, the new critique of positivism, the re-evaluation of ''micro sociology' and the emphasis on self-reference.
Abstract: This paper traces the new role of time in social theory, beyond the dissatisfaction with theories of change. This is done by identifying four developments: the clarification of historically independent processes, the new critique of positivism, the re-evaluation of `micro sociology' and the emphasis on self-reference. These are specified on the basis of the work of Giddens and Luhmann, and related to the concept of time used by these authors. I argue that their predominantly naturalistic sui generis concept of time cannot do justice to the theoretical programmes they are implementing, and propose to focus instead on temporality and its conceptualisation. Temporality is defined on the basis of an invariant core that can be abstracted from the variety of operational culture-specific concepts of time. The paper closes with a discussion of some of the consequences of this shift from (naturalistic) time to social temporality.
39Â citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors argue that due to the paradox of Western secularisation, namely that it has been created by religious fundamentalism - a process discovered by Nietzsche and Weber - religion remains an absent centre of Western anthropological and sociological discourse.
Abstract: Western cultural anthropology, sociological and feminist perspectives on development have been adopting an essentialist standpoint. The question, what do natives really mean?, how do they internally perceive themselves?, has become a major concern in Third World sociological and anthropological studies. On the other hand, social scientists in the Third World, and specifically in Arab countries, have called for the `indigenisation' of the social sciences for the creation of analytical and theoretical concepts which are meant to be applicable to local and `indigenous' cultures. This essay attempts to confront the new Western `essentialism' in the social sciences with the call for `indigenisation' in the East. We wish to suggest that, due to the paradox of Western secularisation, namely, that it has been created by religious fundamentalism - a process discovered by Nietzsche and Weber - religion remains an absent centre of Western anthropological and sociological discourse. Owing to a process of growing cult...
36Â citations
35Â citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a solution is suggested, which is to say that if a group consists of at least one parent-child unit and/or one spousal unit the group is a family, and this approach can solve the problems in clarifying what a family is in a specific case.
Abstract: There have been many attempts to define the concept of family. The approach taken here is that there is no possibility of defining the family. A solution is suggested, which is to say that if a group consists of at least one parent-child unit and/or at least one spousal unit the group is a family. The parent-child unit is defined as one parent and one child related to each other and the spousal unit is defined as two adults cohabiting (maritally or non-maritally). For research or policy use, and also theoretically, this approach can solve the problems in clarifying what a family is in a specific case.
27Â citations
TL;DR: Sociology conceived of and practised as a universalistic science in the positivistic tradition turns people into passive objects suitable for manipulation by centralised bureaucratic apparatuses as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Sociology conceived of and practised as a universalistic science in the positivistic tradition turns people into passive objects suitable for manipulation by centralised bureaucratic apparatuses. F...
23Â citations
TL;DR: This article provided an analysis of the asuwada principle as discussed in Akiwowo's ''Contributions to the Sociology of Knowledge from an African Oral Poetry'' Accepting the concept of asuwa...
Abstract: This paper provides an analysis of the asuwada principle as recently discussed in Akiwowo's `Contributions to the Sociology of Knowledge from an African Oral Poetry'. Accepting the concept of asuwa...
23Â citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors argue that contemporary social science needs to formulate a world sociology, and with regard to this problematic, world system theory occupies an important place in social science.
Abstract: Contemporary social science needs to formulate a world sociology, and with regard to this problematic, world system theory occupies an important place. At an earlier stage world system theory has b...
23Â citations
TL;DR: The authors argue that sociology is influenced by the social and cultural context and cannot but be ethnocentric, as is illustrated by the concept of modernisation, and argue that Western social science can have only limited utility in Africa.
Abstract: Universalism in sociology has been closely associated with construction of theory and assuming certain questions are fundamental. As such it may be a design for imperialism and domination of other societies. But sociology is influenced by the social and cultural context and cannot but be ethnocentric, as is illustrated by the concept of modernisation. Ake and others argue that Western social science can have only limited utility in Africa. Grounded theory on the contrary provides a basis for indigenous research and basing theory building in data from the sociologist's own country is a contribution to the greater comparability of data and systems of knowledge.
15Â citations
TL;DR: In this article, a conceptual model for the indigenisation of social science is provided to enable any organisation to provide support for the development of a social science community, including recruitment, training, content of teaching and training, conceptions of desirable subject matter, conceptual or theoretical models, methods and techniques, media for dissemination and discussion of results, the incentive system of the community, main sources of research support, relations to national society.
Abstract: A conceptual model is provided to enable any organisation to provide for the indigenisation of social science. Of central importance are recruitment of members, training of members, content of teaching and training, conceptions of desirable subject matter, conceptual or theoretical models, methods and techniques, media for dissemination and discussion of results, the incentive system of the community, main sources of research support, relations to national society. Achievement of indigenisation will depend partly on features of the nation-state, but national and international strategies can contribute through suitably structured governing bodies.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors argue that interaction between unequal partners tends to underdevelop the self-possessed resources and capacities of the dominated parties, and that this domination has not only led to socioeconomic underdevelopment of the African, Asian and Latin American countries, but also created among them a psycho-cultural underdevelopment.
Abstract: Our analysis here of the `Other Underdevelopment' is based on the premise that interaction between unequal partners tends to underdevelop the self-possessed resources and capacities of the dominated parties. Contemporary Western domination of the Third World is a classical case in point. This domination has not only led to the socio-economic underdevelopment of the African, Asian and Latin American countries, but it has also created among them a psycho-cultural underdevelopment: the `Other Underdevelopment'. The latter consists of two components: (1) cultural underdevelopment, and (2) psychological underdevelopment. Two examples are sufficient for illustration here. The widespread use of English and French during and after the British and French colonisation in the Third World has replaced or reduced (underdeveloped) the use and the promotion of native languages. The inferiority complex syndrome (self-esteem deterioration) toward the West has become a common feature among various groups of the developing ...
TL;DR: In this paper, the centrality of housework in the feminist movement is discussed, starting with the importance of domestic work in the women's movement in various countries. But, the authors focus on some questions which, starting from the central importance of house-work in women's movements, are not addressed.
Abstract: After a brief mention of the themes prevalent in the feminist movement in various countries, the article focuses on some questions which, starting with the centrality of housework in the feminist d...
TL;DR: In this paper, the influence of common sense on the theories produced by the human sciences is explored, and a typical process by which theories or ideas can easily gain much more credibility than they deserve is identified.
Abstract: This paper in the sociology of knowledge explores the influence of common sense on the theories produced by the human sciences. These theories very often include principles drawn from what can be called commonsensical linguistics, epistemology and logics. Because of their familiarity, these principles go often unnoticed, or are perceived as `going without saying', however. So, a theory can easily be perceived as true while it is false, or as more valid than it deserves to be, if it includes beside its explicit statements implicit unnoticed commonsensical statements, which, although valid in everyday life, are not of universal validity. The theory developed in the paper identifies a typical process by which theories or ideas can easily gain much more credibility than they deserve. It is illustrated by several famous examples drawn from economics, sociology and the philosophy of science.
TL;DR: The broadest and strongest social movement in the present time, the counterpart of the multinational military industrial complex and non-class based, is the so-called "peace movement" as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Sociologists are latecomers to the study of war, peace and international security. A genuine sociological viewpoint on the peace movement means studying it as a social movement, its distribution, structure, values and capacity for effecting social change. The thesis here is that it is the broadest and strongest social movement in the present time, the counterpart of the multinational military-industrial complex and non-class based. The strong representation of some groups of the intelligentsia is in part due to an objective decline in their real living conditions. The peace movement as a whole provides the basis for a wide variety of groups struggling for social development and progress.
TL;DR: The sociological/anthroplogy of illness is a sub-discipline of sociology/anthropology of illness as discussed by the authors. But it is not the field itself, but rather the specificities of the sociology of illness.
Abstract: The designation `sociology of health' or `medical anthropology/sociology' indicates, at best, only the field and not the peculiarities of the field. As a consequence much work in this sub-discipline is of the genre, `Sociology/Anthropology: Case Study Illness (or Health)'. This paper attempts to regroup the contributions made in this field in order to demonstrate the utility of establishing the specificities of the sub-discipline `sociology/anthroplogy of illness'. Such an exercise would also provide us with a consistent framework for formulating health policies as well as for appreciating the reasons why WHO's blueprint of `Health for All' and China's `Barefoot Doctor' programme ran into difficulties. Furthermore, a systematic pursuit of the specificities of sociology/anthropology of illness would also force us to mutate our understanding of at least a few received formulations on the sociology/anthropology of deviance, professions, and even of tradition and modernity.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors identify the major dilemmas in Indian sociology and identify the crucial elements of the pluralist paradigm which is emerging to cope with these dilemma.
Abstract: Sociology ought to be totalistic in its orientation as everything human is native to sociology. Given this, an understanding of the nature of sociological research and practice in specific societies provides a necessary input in the pursuit of sociology. Therefore, India, comprising one-sixth of humanity and well-known for its legendary socio-cultural complexity is a particularly appropriate case to be analysed in this context. Colonialism, nationalism and the modern Indian State successively and conjointly shaped Indian society. Having emerged and being practised in a society moulded by contradictory forces, Indian sociology faces several dilemmas. The paper not only lists the major dilemmas but also identifies the crucial elements of the pluralist paradigm which is emerging to cope with these dilemmas. The paradigm is a welcome addition on two counts: it adequately mirrors the complex social reality of India and forms an invaluable input to the practice of sociology, worldwide.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examine the way in which norms of distributive justice depend on the type of interaction in the family group and on its position in the socio-economic hierarchy.
Abstract: This article examines the way in which norms of distributive justice depend on the type of interaction in the family group and on its position in the socio-economic hierarchy. Based on a family typology constructed around notions of `internal cohesion', `mode of regulation', and `style of integration in the environment', the authors first show that these types of interaction are closely associated with the socio-economic category to which families belong. They then examine the correlation between these types and the principles of distributive justice judged legitimate, the place occupied by procedural justice in the decision, and the modes of comparison between actors.
TL;DR: In this article, four major trends are identified, using case-study material and survey data from a sample of Austrian work organisations: reintegration of data input and text production into professional jobs; incorporation of technical and professional tasks into secretarial work; routinisation of ''back office'' work; enrichment and upgrading of skilled clerical work.
Abstract: This paper seeks to combine an analysis of changes in the organisation of office work with an assessment of their consequences for the affected workers, focussing simultaneously on type of work and gender. Four major trends are identified, using case-study material and survey data from a sample of Austrian work organisations: (i) reintegration of data input and text production into professional jobs; (ii) incorporation of technical and professional tasks into secretarial work; (iii) routinisation of `back office' work; (iv) enrichment and upgrading of skilled clerical work. In correspondence with these trends, opportunities in the automated office are unequally distributed. Many perceived gender differences are due to the position a woman or man holds in the office rather than to their gender. Still, men have more opportunities to use computerisation for advancement than their female colleagues, irrespective of type of work. Disadvantages cumulate in the lower qualified office jobs that are still women's ...
TL;DR: In this paper, rank incongruence is shown to be a source of conflict in the friendship dyad and the empirical analysis yields strong evidence in favour of both the crisscross and rank disequilibrium hypothesis.
Abstract: Over 30 years of continuing empirical research on status inconsistency (SI) do not permit a final conclusion regarding the empirical tenability of this body of theory. This is primarily due to the fact that the empirical research done so far cannot be regarded as a representative or complete counterpart of the whole body of status inconsistency theory. In particular, the relational concepts elaborated by Johan Galtung have not been exposed to empirical tests yet. Based on a representative probability sample of n=1,717 adolescents attending 7th and 9th grades of secondary school, the present paper provides a multi-level analysis regarding aggression and social conflict, as predicted by some of Galtung's individual-level and aggregate-level rank concepts, respectively. First, rank incongruence is shown to be a source of conflict in the friendship dyad. Secondly, the empirical analysis yields strong evidence in favour of both the criss-cross and rank disequilibrium hypothesis. As expected, the lack of criss-...
TL;DR: In this article, a conceptual definition of the actions of administrative staff members is developed out of the basic concept ''social relationship'' in particular the associative relationship, and a proposal is developed for new concepts of organisation and also of ''formalisation'' and ''standardisation''.
Abstract: Central concepts in the field of sociology of organisations - as for instance formalisation, standardisation and organisational structure - are insufficiently and often only arbitrarily defined. This superficiality is striking because many organisational sociologists claim they are working in the tradition of Max Weber. The generally assumed conceptual relationship between an administrative staff under rational legal authority and his types of action is based on an inadequate reading of his work and in this contribution a conceptual definition of the actions of administrative staff members is developed out of the basic concept `social relationship', in particular the associative relationship. From this analysis of both basic concepts and the Weberian account of an administrative staff, a proposal is developed for new concepts of organisation and also of `formalisation' and `standardisation'. This contribution further provides a new basis for identifying the informal and formal aspects of an organisation a...
TL;DR: The historical, social, educational and professional participation ofWomen in India is examined, and an analysis of data between 1950 and 1974 has been made to identify the changes in and possibilities for increasing participation of women doctors in India.
Abstract: In India it is only a century since women were accepted as fully-fledged professionals on parallel lines to male doctors. Since Independence, governmental policies ensuring equal opportunities for women to work and health care for all have provided an impetus to women's involvement in the medical profession. The expansion in the facilities for professional knowledge and training as well as socio-cultural factors have allowed a substantial increase in the participation of women doctors, yet their number seems to be low compared with other women professionals as well as compared to male doctors. The historical, social, educational and professional participation of women is examined, and an analysis of data between 1950 and 1974 has been made to identify the changes in and possibilities for increasing participation of women doctors in India.
TL;DR: In this paper, the symbolic content of leisure from the point of view of a sociological analysis of its social meanings is examined, and it is argued that leisure is not as global as values related to work and family, but is rather found to be a sectorial value referring to some specific sectors of social life, or some specific activities or some particular periods of time.
Abstract: This paper deals with the symbolic content of leisure from the point of view of a sociological analysis of its social meanings We firstly put leisure within the general context of social values, since values relate to the most fundamental grounds from which people tend to legitimate action In that respect, it is argued that leisure is not as global as values related to work and family, for instance, but is rather found to be a sectorial value, referring to some specific sectors of social life, or some specific activities, or some particular periods of time, considered as `important' by way of gratifying attributes (such as `pleasant', etc) During the course of daily life, values tend to be adapted to specific action, context, and actors, in terms of social norms, which is our second level of analysis It is suggested that four main categories of norms can at least be distinguished: norms of action, of involvement, of interaction, and contextual norms Then values and norms are interiorised and integra
TL;DR: Znaniecki's initial interests were mainly philosophical until his collaboration with Thomas and his contribution to The Polish Peasant was predominantly methodological It was an attempt to synthesise as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Znaniecki's initial interests were mainly philosophical until his collaboration with Thomas His contribution to The Polish Peasant was predominantly methodological It was an attempt to synthesise
TL;DR: In this article, a comparative analysis of transition to adulthood in Israel during two distinct historical periods: the 1950s (transitional society) and the 1980s (post-transitional societies) is presented, where the authors investigate the link between macro-social conditions and transition anchored in the life cycle of the individual.
Abstract: Patterns of transition to adulthood are conceptualised in terms of three dimensions encompassing contradictory principles: the social definition of youth (consistent/inconsistent), the structure of social relations (hierarchical/symmetrical), and behavioural orientations (conformity/deviation).We apply this conceptualisation to a comparative analysis of transition to adulthood in Israel during two distinct historical periods: the 1950s (`transitional society') and the 1980s (`post-transitional society'), studying the link between macro-social conditions and transition anchored in the life-cycle of the individual. The research entails a structured content analysis of articles appearing in an Israeli newspaper for youth during the two periods, where the unit of analysis is roles.The findings indicate two different, yet non-polar patterns of transition: `Transitional society' is characterised by the coexistence of contradictory principles related to a strongly ambivalent attitude toward youth. `Post-transiti...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors trace the major stages in the formation of early Christian leadership and argue that the qualities of the prophet were transformed rather than actually eliminated, and that the task of edifying the masses after the conversion of the empire led to radically new techniques in moral instruction.
Abstract: Prophets and priests were distinct orders in early Christianity. In its first stages, the Christian movement depended for the production of its religious ideas upon the work of charismatic, itinerant individuals called prophets. Gradually, as organisation and consolidation of dogma became of vital importance, leadership passed to a hierarchical order of priests and bishops. The transfer of power progressed in an ever more intense strain between the two types of leadership which ended with the elimination of the order of prophets. Comparative work has helped to develop prophets and priests as essential analytical concepts in the field of the sociology of religion.The present paper traces the major stages in the formation of the early Christian leadership and argues that the qualities of the prophet were transformed rather than actually eliminated. The task of edifying the masses after the conversion of the empire led to radically new techniques in moral instruction. The imposition of religious ideas throug...
TL;DR: In this paper, an attempt to develop a many-sided analysis of factors generating crisis development in social fields and stagnation in the economy, of measures which could initiate positive changes in Soviet society and of the main tasks of sociology as a science in conditions of restructuring is presented.
Abstract: This article represents an attempt to develop a many-sided analysis of factors generating crisis development in social fields and stagnation in the economy, of measures which could initiate positive changes in Soviet society and of the main tasks of sociology as a science in conditions of restructuring.The author emphasises that the transition of Soviet society from one qualitative state to another (a state of higher order), and that the optimisation of the functioning of its economic systems is transformed from an ideal into reality only on the basis of an all-round account being taken of the real potential of the human factor through expanding the sphere of operation of the individuality factor. If this does not happen, the process of dysfunctional disturbances in the systems becomes irreversible, and stagnant and negative phenomena become social facts.From the author's point of view, the task of the sociology of restructuring consists in revealing concrete mechanisms for the coordination of system qual...
TL;DR: The best way of achieving this qualification is through graduate studies, which enable the transfer of the most recent scientific knowledge and the exchange of most recent practical experience in a relatively short time to the most suitable recipients who are then able to implement sociological theory immediately in practical life as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: The profession of management involves directing social as well other activities. But the manager as a practical sociologist usually has a purely technical training. In Czechoslovakia nearly 60 per cent of the works directors have this type of qualification. Sociological research on this social group provides evidence in favour of postgraduate studies in the theory of management, planning, sociology and psychology. The best way of achieving this qualification is through graduate studies, which enable the transfer of the most recent scientific knowledge and the exchange of the most recent practical experience in a relatively short time to the most suitable recipients who are then able to implement sociological theory immediately in practical life.