What does macroscociology mean? First of all, it refers to the most global units of human existence - entire societies. Nevertheless, the importance of macro-sociology should not be underestimated in the study of individuals, families and other composite aspects of society, but we must remember that it always implies a wider social system, of which these composite aspects are a part. Macrosociology may also involve the analysis of large groups (for example, cities, churches).
What is a society?
In order to understand the meaning of the word "macrocycology", you need to deal with the main subject of its study - society. The human population is considered a society to the extent that it is politically independent, and its members participate in a wide range of joint actions. For example, this definition will apply to a German population that is considered a society, but German-speaking people in general, scattered across different countries, will not be considered a society.
Macrosociology is a science that deals with broad social trends that can subsequently be applied to smaller parts of society. In comparison: macro-sociology deals with issues such as war, third-country disasters, poverty and environmental deprivation, while micro-sociology analyzes issues such as the role of women, family character and immigration.
Fundamentals of Macrosociology
In modern macrosociology, there are a number of theoretical strategies, but four of them stand out as the main ones:
- An idealistic strategy tries to explain the basic features of social life, referring to the creative ability of the human mind. Idealists believe that human uniqueness lies in the fact that people attach symbolic meaning to their actions. Idealistic macro-sociology is a science that studies the creative potential of entire societies.
- A materialistic strategy tries to explain the basic features of a person’s social life from the point of view of the practical material conditions of their existence. These conditions include things such as the nature of the physical environment, the level of technology, and the organization of the economic system.
- Functionalism, or structural functionalism, is determined by many principles. Functionalism basically claims that societies are complex systems of interconnected and interdependent parts, and each part of society has a significant impact on others. In addition, every part of society exists because it has a specific function to participate in promoting society as a whole. Finally, this strategy assumes that societies strive for a state of equilibrium, or homeostasis, and if disturbances occur in any part of society, then other parts will adapt to restore stability to society as a whole. Functional macro-sociology is a discipline based on the philosophy of utilitarianism.
- Conflict theory, also called the theoretical conflict strategy, rejects the idea that societies strive for some basic consensus of harmony in which social traits work for the common good. This theory is based on the idea that the basic structure of society is determined by individuals and groups that receive scarce resources to satisfy their own needs and needs, thereby creating endless conflicts.
The role of globalization
Globalization could not but affect macro-sociology, which led to the development of two different industries. One of them is based mainly on comparative and historical sociology (CHS), and the other on the political economy of world systems (PEWS). CHS bases its analysis on states and seeks "generalizations about the properties and principles of variation between instances in time and space." PEWS, on the other hand, uses state systems for analysis and seeks "generalizations about the interdependence between system components and the principles of variation between system conditions in time and space." Despite the differences in the two schools, both use historical knowledge to try to solve some of the problems that arise in the field of macrosociology. Recently, it has been argued that globalization poses a threat to the use of CHS, because it often leads to the dissolution of individual societies in the masses.
Founders of Macrosociology
The founders of macrosociology are two prominent scientists:
- Charles Tilly is a political scientist studying nation states.
- Immanuel Wallerstein - developed the theory of world-system analysis, studying the modern global capitalist system. Neo-Marxist.
The paradox of society by Anthony Giddens
Perhaps the most highly developed integrative effort associated with microsociological and macrosociological phenomena is found in the theory of structuring by Anthony Giddens. According to Giddens, the social structure is inherently paradoxical and can be defined at the same time as limiting and promoting human activity, as well as both being internal and external to it. Attempts to relate micro- and macroscopic phenomena are evident in a growing body of empirical research. One way or another, macrosociology is what allows us to understand the most subtle and essential features of any society, overcoming its paradoxical essence.