Explain an aspect in the following readings that helps you to understand how macro-level structural issues (e.g., for Mills, it is social issues of social structure, and for Marx and Engels’ it’s the system of capitalism) help to explain the behavior of individuals and groups.
Introduction
Macro-level structural issues are large-scale social forces that shape the lives of individuals and groups. These issues can include things like economic inequality, social stratification, and political institutions. While individuals and groups have some degree of agency, their behavior is also influenced by the macro-level structural issues in which they are embedded.
Mills argued that the power elite is able to maintain its dominance by controlling the means of production, the media, and the government. The middle class is able to maintain its position in the social hierarchy by working hard and following the rules. However, the mass society is at the bottom of the social hierarchy and has little power or influence.
Marx and Engels’ Capitalism
Marx and Engels argued that capitalism is a system of economic production that is based on the exploitation of workers by capitalists. Capitalists own the means of production and use them to produce goods and services. Workers sell their labor to capitalists in order to earn a living.
Marx and Engels argued that capitalism is a system that is inherently unequal. Capitalists are able to accumulate wealth and power, while workers are trapped in a cycle of poverty and exploitation.
How Macro-Level Structural Issues Explain Individual and Group Behavior
Macro-level structural issues can explain the behavior of individuals and groups in a number of ways. For example, the power elite may use its influence to shape public policy in a way that benefits its own interests. This can lead to policies that harm the middle class and the mass society, such as cuts to social programs or tax breaks for the wealthy.
The middle class may be motivated to work hard and follow the rules in order to maintain its position in the social hierarchy. However, if the middle class feels that it is being squeezed by the power elite and the mass society, it may become more resentful and angry. This can lead to social unrest and political instability.
The mass society may be marginalized and powerless, but it can still find ways to express its discontent. For example, the mass society may support populist political movements or engage in violent protests.
Examples
Here are a few specific examples of how macro-level structural issues can help to explain the behavior of individuals and groups:
Conclusion
Macro-level structural issues are powerful forces that can shape the behavior of individuals and groups. While individuals and groups have some degree of agency, their choices are constrained by the social structures in which they live. It is important to understand macro-level structural issues in order to understand the behavior of individuals and groups, and to develop policies that promote social justice and equality.