Sociology 2259 Lecture Notes - Frankfurt School, False Consciousness, Conflict Theories

• School: Western University
• Department: Sociology
• Course: Sociology 2259
• Professor: Pamela Cushing

Document Summary

Who will we intervene on behalf of: deviance, poverty, greed, disadvantage, injustice are systematic and structural, try to expose the systems and structures that do the exploitation. Rules: rules are made by the powerful whether they are legal or customary. We are equally not allowed to steal, live under a bridge or sleep on a park bench. This theory argues the opposite: people who break the rules do so out of need or protest against a system that oppresses them (example homeless person sleeps on street instead of shelter. Does not feel safe there, not welcome due to mental illness or substance abuse) Deviance is not about sick people, or under control, it is about people who are attempting to make the best out of unequal opportunities. Emphasis of this theory is on formal social control (law, justice system, different forms of punishment) Conception of social order: social order is maintained through management of conflict between various groups.