Question 1(b) · 1116 words written
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Q1(b) Focus group technique
Focus group technique is a qualitative method in which a certain group of individuals interact on a certain topic. They exchange their views to understand causal pluralism of ideas.
- It can be employed in various aspects
(1) During recruitment, recruiters conduct group discussions to understand the point of view of the participant. (2) For the analytics of national agends. Eg. Rajya Sabha Big TV picture discussion. (3) The family talks which led to precipitation of ideas in family (David Morgan). (4) Work organisation meetings for project execution. (5) Legislative assembly discussion in Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha.
It is a scientific method which helps in understanding multiple P.O.V and modern techniques like zoom call etc. could help in conducting it.
Q1(c) Historical materialism
Engels defined Karl Marx's Historical materialism as the society progressed from ancient to modern due to economic determinism as technological advancement happened.
On the other hand "Hegelian dialectic" is that every thesis has antithesis and the neutral ideology came out as synthesis.
Marx idea inspired by Hegel notions.
Critique of Hegelian dialectics (1) There is no synthesis: When the subjective consciousness of objective reality will come, there will be revolution only ie Anti-thesis only. (2) Domination of bourgeois: The economic structure guides the social superstructure, so there is place of antithesis in capitalism. (3) Socialism and communalism: Synthesis will happen only in case of capital decomposition.
Thus the "idea of Hegel" helped Marx to establish dialectics of haves and have nots with materialism inspired by Feuerbach.
Q1(d) Objectivity in sociology
According to Robert Bierstedt, objectivity means arriving at the result of scientific method without getting influenced by race, caste, ethnicity etc.
Measures to maintain objectivity (1) Using the triangulation method of Norman Denzin, for cross validation. (2) Using heuristic device of Weber Ideal type for selectivity, comparison etc. (3) Using internal consistency method for reliability and validity. (4) Split-half method: getting views of two groups for cross validity (Eg. patriarchy → Men POV, women POV). (5) Training of researcher regarding reducing biasness, value neutrality. (6) Webers idea of value neutrality.
In Sociology objectivity faces challenge due to subject matter of study "human being". Hence a modified method is needed (Hammersley).
Q1(e) Bureaucracy as an Iron Cage
Bureaucracy is a legal rational authority where the authority is exercised according to rules and regulations.
Potential to become iron cage (1) Dominance of formalisation in work culture. (2) Personality impersonation due to strict compartment of personal and professional life (C.W. Mills). (3) Red tapism in bureaucracy decreases supererogation and empathy in work. (4) Rules and regulations bring efficiency and productivity but kills creativity (Adorno). (5) Managerial revolution (Burnham) where execution of order.
(6) Work-life balance in the modern society (Anthony Giddens, reflexive modernity).
As per Robert Blauner, the creativity and naivety in the work could be maintained via research and informal relation. RK Merton said instead of strict rule, there is need of changing demand as per societal need (Eg. Indian Bureaucracy civil services reforms).
Q3(a) Sociology and Economy
Sociology originated in the close affinity of natural science but due to its overlapping areas with other social science, it is often compared and contrasted with them.
Sociology and economy close together (1) Durkheim studied "Division of labour" in society as the social reality. He contradicted the view of neo economist as productivity is basis of division of labor (DOL).
(2) Impact of economy in the power dynamics (Eg. MN Srinivas concept of the Dominant caste where economy play role). (3) Economic Deterministic Karl Marx defined the social change in terms of access to force of production in capitalist society. (4) The female work culture in economic setup (Eg. Diane Pierce's Glass ceiling and Pink collarization). (5) Study of Agrarian social structure in terms of farmer social movement. (6) Economy is one of the determinant of social mobility.
There is close relationship between two sciences but reinforced further in recent time: (1) Ecological modernisation theory for CSR activities for insulation of conflict. (2) According to Pierre Bourdieu, a true economist is who that consider social capital in economic calculation (Eg. loss of environment capital, suicide etc). (3) Post modernist society is majorly capitalist where decomposition of labour, relations etc changing.
| Difference between two | |
|---|---|
| Economic | Sociology |
| It use scientific methodology | Less scientific |
| Narrow scope | wider scope |
| Universalism | Subjectivity due to matter subject of study |
Thus relation between two are reinforcing more in contemporary world.
Q3(b) Class-in-itself and Class-for-itself
Karl Marx in his seminal work "Das capital" defined class as group of people who have same access to force of production (asset, technology etc). According to him there is only 2 classes:
His concept: I. Class-in-itself: According to him in class-in-itself, the workers are not aware about the objective reality of exploitation. They are guided by their social being and have accepted the domination. The structural consciousness has not reached. so there is distant reality of revolution. II. Class-for-itself: As the capitalism increases, Homogenization, Pauperization and immiseration will increase and workers (have nots) will have the subjective consciousness of objective reality that how haves have exploited them for their benefit.
Due to this haves not will revolt against haves and establish socialism then communalism where there will be collective ownership.
Not supported by empirical reality
- V Lenin study of Britain where worker do not do revolution for better wage and facility but want stability of job due to fear of unemployment.
- Embourgeoisement of middle class instead of pauperisation (Weber).
- Trade union do not revolt in fear of shutdown of factories (Wastgate).
- Decomposition of ownership between shareholders of companies, managers etc (Dahrendorf).
- State welfare policies for labour act as insulation of conflict (Eg. EPFO contribution by Indian govt).
Hence Max Weber said in empirical reality revolution is distant reality.
Q3(c) Collective conscience
Durkheim collective conscience means the individual are mere part of society who adhere to the social reality to society.
Challenged in content of globalisation (1) Anthony Giddens the space of "time and space" squeeze in globalisation. (2) Dependency theory of Wallerstein (In international sphere polarization, Eg. USA V/S USSR). (3) Consumerism giving importance to materialism than humanism. (4) Social cleavages and disintegration in world (Eg. middle east crisis due to religion).
Challenged in content of individualist (1) Religion is dominating in private sphere and decrease in public sphere (secularism). (2) William Goode, in family relation influential kin bargaining. (3) Centricity of economic benefit in social relation.
Close
Hence Collective conscience is squeezy but on the same hand nationalism, constitutional morality is enhancing it.