Social Theory and Ideologies

[wire_mother]

lately, i've been having a discussion with someone online about social theory, millenialism, and a variety of other topics. recently, he equated (perhaps sloppily) democracy with bureaucracy, and my response was something that i wanted to put here for comment:

Comments

[erotocism]

I really love to see stuff like this posted on LJ. I get so damn bored of seeing memes and such, it makes me sick. I definately understand and agree with what you've mentioned here, it makes me curious to see and hear what else you have in your brain. :D

[thewronghands]

I really love to see stuff like this posted on LJ. I get so damn bored of seeing memes and such, it makes me sick.Hear, hear. While I admittedly fall prey to the occasional meme, it's (I hope) drowned in comparison to actual content. Hurrah for informed scholarly intellectual posts

[wire_mother]

"human nature, while social, is also profoundly self-interested, and that this plays a major role in influencing social interactions"

this option. that is one of those things that probably would have been caught in a re-write. also, this is an excellent formulation of the idea. would you mind if i appropriate it should i ever re-write this article?

northern European ideas of Justice include some fairly radical concepts that we take for granted. the idea, for instance, that social punishments exist for more reason than to enforce the rights of the powerful or to maintain social order - the idea that social punishment can serve to rectify social imbalance. so, yes, weregild is one example, but the basic theory behind many northern European legal systems is fairly unique in general. it seems as though much of that theory is being slowly lost in a trend toward a philosophy more resembling Chinese Legalism, but it is still held by many to be nearly axiomatic

[thewronghands]

Certainly, permission to appropriate my phrasing. I'm flattered. [grin]

I agree that incredibly reductionist ideologies often fail to correctly guide one's encounters with a complex world. You dust me in economics, though -- that's one of my personal weaknesses, and something I've been working on. (Breadwinner with loose grasp on money bad. Fiscally responsible breadwinner good.)

[medea1001]

This is fascinating. ...I know that's a rather inane comment, but I'm not as well versed as you in socioeconomic history/theory. If you saw my book rec request, please think about suggesting something on this topic for me, I'd like to know more.
Actually, you're one of the folks I am eagerly awaiting said recs from; guessing... will it be religious history? swordfighting? werewolves? something like this post?

[wire_mother]

yeah, i've actually been thinking that one over. there are so many directions i could take such a recommendation. we shall see. expect something there within the next couple of days.

[iago_iwo]

Nice. I agree with your analysis.

Have you had the chance to read The Death of Common Sense by Philip K. Howard? He was able to take a long, critical look at bureaucracy, and how it relates to law and responsibility.

[wire_mother]

no, i haven't yet read that one. to be honest, i hadn't heard of it til you mentioned it here, but i will now find a copy to read.

thank you.