Sociological theories

docx

School

Oxford University *

*We aren’t endorsed by this school

Course

DGN2314

Subject

Sociology

Date

Nov 24, 2024

Type

docx

Pages

Uploaded by HighnessGoldfinch3318

SOCIOLOGICAL THEORIES

Table of Contents Introduction: ................................................................................................................................................ 2 I. Southern Theory: Agency and Structure in a Global Context ................................................................... 2 A. Agency and Identity Negotiation: ....................................................................................................... 2 B. Structural Constraints and Power Dynamics: ...................................................................................... 2 II. Postmodern/Poststructural Theory: Deconstructing Identity and Discourse ............................................ 3 A. Agency as Performative Acts: ............................................................................................................. 3 B. Discourse and Power Relations: .......................................................................................................... 4 III. Synthesis: Agency, Structure, and Identity Development ...................................................................... 4 Conclusion: ................................................................................................................................................. 5 References ................................................................................................................................................... 6

Introduction: The intricate relationship between free will and social institutions as they interact to form an individual's identity and experiences may be better understood via the lens of sociological theory. This article examines how two sociological theories as Southern theory and Postmodern/Poststructural theory that can shed light on the processes involved in constructing an individual's sense of self. These can help people learn more about the impact of social forces on individuals and the ways in which people actively interact with and change social reality if investigating the interplay between agency and structure. I. Southern Theory: Agency and Structure in a Global Context Raewyn Connell, a sociologist, presented Southern theory as an alternative to the predominance of Western social theories, emphasizing instead the experiences and problems of people living in the Global South. In the context of globalization and colonial legacies, this theory highlights the interdependence between agency and structure. A. Agency and Identity Negotiation: Individuals are given credit for their ability to shape their identities within the parameters imposed by society, according to Southern philosophy. It recognises that people have the ability to challenge authoritative accounts and create their own identities (Lundström, 2009). People from marginalised groups in the Global South, for example, frequently use their agency to confront oppressive systems, which may then lead to the development of new identities based on tenacity and fortitude. Identity is multifaceted and fluid, and this is something that Southern philosophy acknowledges as well. It draws attention to the complex interplay of gender, race, class, and ethnicity, and how these factors shape human lives. Identity is moulded by several social categories and power dynamics, which is why the concept of intersectionality is so important. For instance, a woman of colour in the working class in the Global South has unique obstacles due to the interplay of her gender, race, and socioeconomic status (Peace, 2009). Individuals' ability to negotiate their many identities and participate in collective actions to combat systemic oppression are important tenets of Southern philosophy.

Your preview ends here

Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version

Access to all documents
Unlimited textbook solutions
24/7 expert homework help

B. Structural Constraints and Power Dynamics: At the same time, Southern theory highlights the importance of the institutions and power dynamics that mould individuals' identities and the experiences they have. Colonialism, capitalism, and neoliberal policies are only a few examples of global frameworks that perpetuate unbalanced power dynamics that shape people's freedoms and limitations. Identity development is profoundly impacted by the ways in which these systems reinforce disadvantage, poverty, and inequality. Another important part of Southern theory is its push for epistemic decolonization and critique of Western-centric knowledge production. It stresses the significance of appreciating and acknowledging different ways of knowing and seeing the world. Southern theorists advocate for the incorporation of underrepresented communities and indigenous ways of knowing into the development of social theories and policy. The significance of opposing Western-centric knowledge production is emphasised, and the importance of recognising the intersection of identities is emphasized (Slewion & Moxley, 2016). Southern theory adds depth to our knowledge of the interplay between individual agency and societal structure as they play out in the formation of identities and the lived experiences of people in the Global South by considering these factors. II. Postmodern/Poststructural Theory: Deconstructing Identity and Discourse Postmodern/poststructural theories, popularised by thinkers like Michel Foucault and Judith Butler, dismantle rigid ideas about who we are and question the validity of the concept of essentialism. Theories like this highlight the significance of language, discourse, and social constructions in the formation of identities. A. Agency as Performative Acts: According to postmodern/poststructuralist philosophy, people exercise their freedom of choice by the actions they do in certain social settings. Discursive practices including language, gestures, and symbols are used by individuals in their ongoing process of identity building. Individuals engage in these performance actions to negotiate their identities and question normative categories, ultimately leading to the acknowledgment of a wide range of identities that are both stable and malleable.

B. Discourse and Power Relations: According to postmodern/poststructural theory, discourse plays a crucial role in establishing and maintaining hierarchies of power within societies. How identities are formed and policed is influenced by dominant discourses that in turn are established in social institutions and cultural norms. However, postmodern and poststructural theory also recognises the agency that may disrupt and question dominant discourses, allowing for new identities and points of view to emerge. According to postmodern and poststructural philosophy, who we are is always a performance. Judith Butler, a leading thinker in this area, contends, for instance, that gender is not a fixed identity but rather a socially constructed role that individuals play over and over again (Richardson, 1991). Daily actions, whether complying to or challenging gender norms, serve to reinforce and repeat these performances. This performativity is not limited to gender but includes other dimensions of identification as well, including ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and sexual orientation. Postmodern and poststructural theory, by emphasising the performative element of identity, emphasises the power people have to create and challenge their own identities. III. Synthesis: Agency, Structure, and Identity Development Combining the findings of Southern theory with those of Postmodern and Poststructural theory offers a complex view of how people construct their identities and learn from their experiences. Both theories recognise the two-way street that is the interaction between free will and the social and political systems in which we live. Southern philosophy places an emphasis on the role of the individual in combating repressive institutions and developing new identities. It acknowledges that free will is always qualified by the limits of social, political, and economic systems. The acceptance of identity's malleability and hybridity paves the way for more expansive and adaptable conceptualizations (Rosa, 2014). To this approach, postmodern and poststructural theory contribute by highlighting the role of performance in identity negotiation within discursive frameworks. It emphasises the power of individual choice to alter the status quo by questioning and reframing dominant discourses, which may then give rise to the development of a wide range of identities. Conclusion: In conclusion, sociological theories are helpful because they provide light on the relationship between free will and social institutions. As Postmodern and Poststructural theory deconstructs

fixed identities and acknowledges the power of discursive practises, Southern theory provides light on the experiences of the Global South and emphasises agency under structural limits. By bringing together different views, we get a fuller picture of how people interact with and are moulded by social institutions, which in turn shapes their identities and the experiences they have in life. References Lundström, C. (2009). Book Review: Raewyn Connell Southern Theory. The Global Dynamics of Knowledge in Social Science Cambridge: Polity Press, 2007, 271 pp. Acta Sociologica , 52 (1), 85–87. https://doi.org/10.1177/0001699308100635 Peace, R. (2009). Southern theory: The global dynamics of knowledge in social science - by R. Connell. New Zealand Geographer , 65 (1), 84–85. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745- 7939.2009.1150_2.x Richardson, L. (1991). Postmodern Social Theory: Representational Practices. Sociological Theory , 9 (2), 173. https://doi.org/10.2307/202078 Rosa, M. C. (2014). Theories of the South: Limits and perspectives of an emergent movement in social sciences. Current Sociology , 62 (6), 851–867. https://doi.org/10.1177/0011392114522171 Slewion, S. T., & Moxley, D. P. (2016). Southern theory: The global dynamics of knowledge in social science, by R. Connell. Journal of Community Practice , 24 (2), 222–224. https://doi.org/10.1080/10705422.2016.1165589

Your preview ends here

Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version

Access to all documents
Unlimited textbook solutions
24/7 expert homework help

Related Documents

IASSW-Clinical-Definition-June-24_2023.pdf

GEN103 Information Literacy 2.docx

1217864840-Billy Brown Case (Autosaved).docx

Essay On Sexuality.pdf

prison system.edited.docx

Rita_Hobbs_u10a1_Social Welfare Problem Policy and Social Change.docx

The Impact of Social Context on Hybrid Multicultural Identity 2.docx

wxA2Y-VF2Mu_QqIfgZzxVdzU.docx

Osprey_APAp.docx

OAE 013 EARLY CHILDHOOD SPECIAL EDUCATION WRITTEN QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS LATEST UPDATE.pdf

6630377.edited.docx

(635034).docx

Recommended textbooks for you

Social Psychology (10th Edition)

Sociology

ISBN:9780134641287

Author:Elliot Aronson, Timothy D. Wilson, Robin M. Akert, Samuel R. Sommers

Publisher:Pearson College Div

Introduction to Sociology (Eleventh Edition)

Sociology

ISBN:9780393639407

Author:Deborah Carr, Anthony Giddens, Mitchell Duneier, Richard P. Appelbaum

Publisher:W. W. Norton & Company

The Basics of Social Research (MindTap Course Lis...

Sociology

ISBN:9781305503076

Author:Earl R. Babbie

Publisher:Cengage Learning

Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Scien...

Sociology

ISBN:9780134477596

Author:Saferstein, Richard

Publisher:PEARSON

Sociology: A Down-to-Earth Approach (13th Edition)

Sociology

ISBN:9780134205571

Author:James M. Henslin

Publisher:PEARSON

Society: The Basics (14th Edition)

Sociology

ISBN:9780134206325

Author:John J. Macionis

Publisher:PEARSON

SEE MORE TEXTBOOKS

Recommended textbooks for you

Social Psychology (10th Edition)
Sociology
ISBN:9780134641287
Author:Elliot Aronson, Timothy D. Wilson, Robin M. Akert, Samuel R. Sommers
Publisher:Pearson College Div
Introduction to Sociology (Eleventh Edition)
Sociology
ISBN:9780393639407
Author:Deborah Carr, Anthony Giddens, Mitchell Duneier, Richard P. Appelbaum
Publisher:W. W. Norton & Company
The Basics of Social Research (MindTap Course Lis...
Sociology
ISBN:9781305503076
Author:Earl R. Babbie
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Scien...
Sociology
ISBN:9780134477596
Author:Saferstein, Richard
Publisher:PEARSON
Sociology: A Down-to-Earth Approach (13th Edition)
Sociology
ISBN:9780134205571
Author:James M. Henslin
Publisher:PEARSON
Society: The Basics (14th Edition)
Sociology
ISBN:9780134206325
Author:John J. Macionis
Publisher:PEARSON