Global political sociology as
interpretation and critique
Waltz Made Simpler
3rd image; group
relations; system
2nd image; group
level; state
1st image; unit
level; individual
Character of
the system
determines
state behavior
Character of
the state
determines its
behavior
Character of
the sovereign
determines
state behavior
What is “political sociology?”
1.
Assumes
a.
b.
c.
d.
People have multiple motivations for action
Meanings, culture, symbols matter
Social structures constrain beliefs and actions
People tend to “naturalize” beliefs & behaviors
a.
b.
c.
d.
States are not identical units & act differently
Sociological (unit & state level) factors matter
Differences in cultures and meanings matter
Power cannot be defined in simple terms
2. What does this mean for int’l politics?
How does this apply to Lord of the Flies?
1.
British class structure
a. Historical origins of the class system
b. Class in politics and economics
c. Class system in war
d. Class system in education
2. Public (aka, private) school system
a. Rankings read off of clothing, caps, accents
b. Public schools as system of socialization &
discipline
c. Public schools as sources of officer corps
d. Public schools and nationalism
3.
Naturalized social structures & relations
a.
Gendering & power relations
i. In public schools & on the island
ii. In the household
b. Violence—direct and implied
i. In language
ii. In images & symbols
iii. “Savage behavior”—not how British boys
should behave
c. Fear & paranoia of difference
i. Of the unknown and the dark
ii. Of the beast
iii. Of each other
4. How do these factor into “politics?”
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
Abuse of those whose class is lower
Assumptions about who serves whom
Threats of punishment for dissent
Disrespect for those who are different
Legalized theft of others’ possessions
Tendencies toward oligarchy
Reliance on violence when all else fails
Destruction of the world to protect
power