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Sociology
Social Institutions
Summary
Economy
- The economy is the social institution responsible for the production and
distribution of goods.
- The two dominant economic systems in the world are capitalism, under
which resources and means of production are privately owned, and socialism, a
system under which those resources are owned by the society as a whole.
- Welfare capitalism and state capitalism are hybrids of capitalism and socialism.
Welfare capitalism features a market-based economy coupled with an extensive
social welfare system. Under state capitalism, the government closely monitors
and regulates the resources and means of production, which are privately owned.
- According to Karl Marx, capitalism brings workers and employers into
conflict. The only way to resolve the conflict is workers’ revolution to replace capitalism
with communism.
- The economy is a quickly changing social institution. Economic trends include
globalization, demand for educated professionals,
self-employment, and diversity in the workplace.
Government
- The government is the institution entrusted with making and enforcing
the rules of the society, as well as with regulating relations with other societies.
- Most of the world’s governments fall into one of four categories:
monarchy, democracy, authoritarianism, or
totalitarianism.
- A monarchy is a political system in which a representative from one
family controls the government and power is passed on through that family from generation to
generation.
- A democracy is a political system in which the citizens periodically
choose officials to run their government.
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Authoritarianism is a political system that does not allow citizens to
participate in government.
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Totalitarianism is a political system under which the government
maintains tight control over nearly all aspects of citizens’ lives.
- The U.S. government is characterized by a limited welfare state and a
two-party political system.
- Conflicts in governments generally take three forms: revolution,
war, and terrorism.
Family
- The institution of family has three important functions: to provide for
the rearing of children, to provide a sense of identity or belonging among its members, and to
transmit culture between generations.
- There are two types of families. A nuclear family comprises a mother,
father, and their children living under one roof. An extended family includes
several generations and branches living nearby.
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Marriage is a foundation of family life. It exists in every society,
with some variations.
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Alternative families such as single-parent households, unmarried
couples, and gay and lesbian couples are on the rise in the United States.
Religion
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Religion is a social institution that answers our larger questions and
explains the seemingly inexplicable.
- The world’s major religions include Christianity, Islam,
Judaism, Hinduism, and Buddhism.
- Religious groups include churches, sects, and
cults.
- In the United States, social class, race, and ethnicity are factors in how religious
a person is.
Education
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Education is the preparation of children for adulthood. It is an
important agent of socialization and encourages social integration.
- The quality of education at public and private schools varies greatly in the United
States.
Medicine
- The institution of medicine is responsible for defining and treating
physical and mental illnesses among members of a society. The goal of a society’s medical
establishment is to promote health, the total well-being of its people.
- The definitions of physical and mental illnesses are different in different cultures.
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Scientific medicine is an approach to healing that focuses on illness.
This method is common in the United States.
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Holistic medicine is an approach to healing that focuses on a patient’s
whole environment.
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