Towards a critical ontology of socio-economic transformation processes: Marx’s contribution

2020 ◽  
Vol 44 (5) ◽  
pp. 1031-1053
Author(s):  
Giovanni Bonifati
Keyword(s):  
Social Activity ◽  
Division Of Labour ◽  
Economic Transformation ◽  
General Terms ◽  
Critical Ontology ◽  
Gradual Process ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Transformation Processes ◽  
Qualitative Changes

Abstract The aim of the article is to contribute to a critical ontology of socio-economic transformation processes. Elements for such an ontology, it argues, can be found in the interaction between three foundational aspects of Marx’s thought: the notion of labour as a human social activity; the meaning and implications of the notion of alienation; and the relationship between quantitative and qualitative changes. After analysing these elements, the article discusses possible developments for an ontology of socio-economic transformation processes and concludes that Marx’s fundamental contribution to such an ontology is to show that the emergence of a new system of division of labour as a qualitative transformation requires a change in the relationships between the entities of an already existing system of division of labour that gives it a new functionality and a new direction. Marx teaches us that we need to identify the turning points in change processes and that, in this last respect, emergence is not a gradual process. The article argues that, in more general terms, the notion of emergence as a process of change in the functionality of an existing system of relationships to which a new direction is given can be used as a method to analyse socio-economic transformation processes at different levels of social reality. Thus understood, emergence involves the rejection of any form of reductionism in the social sciences.

Transport: Notes and Comments

1963 ◽  
Vol 24 ◽  
pp. 23-41
Author(s):  
G. F. Ray ◽  
R. E. Crum
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Great Britain ◽  
Freight Transport ◽  
Social Costs ◽  
European Countries ◽  
Current Discussion ◽  
General Terms ◽  
The Social ◽  
Background Material ◽  
The Relationship

Two surveys of the future of British transport were published in March of this year: ‘The reshaping of British Railway’ and ‘The transport needs of Great Britain in the next twenty years’. The second of these sets out, in general terms, the relationship between transport needs and economic growth. This article, therefore, does not attempt to go over this ground again: its purpose is to provide background material to some of the issues raised by the two reports. It discusses, first—since this is the main point of current discussion—the social costs of the closures proposed. Secondly, it looks at the forecasts of the total demand for freight transport. Thirdly, it considers the particular problem the railways have, in that they are competing with transport owned and controlled by the user himself. Fourthly, the article sets out some comparisons of railway finances in various European countries. At the end of the article there is a collection of transport statistics.

Contradictions in the combination of social justice and economic efficiency

2021 ◽  
pp. 58-65
Author(s):  
Inna Maksymenko
Keyword(s):  
Social Justice ◽  
Economic Efficiency ◽  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
Social Institutions ◽  
Uneven Distribution ◽  
Social Standards ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Transformation Processes

The aim of the article – elucidation of the essence of social justice and its manifestations as a phenomenon with characteristic features against the back- ground of innovations in production technologies, which explains the patterns of transformation processes, identifying the relationship between the industrial revolution and social justice, justification of place and importance for economic policy. The methodology of the survey. The following methods were used in the re- search: unity of logical and historical approaches, combination of abstract and concrete (to reveal the relationship between technology and economic development), historical method (to assess the patterns of economic and social processes), expert evaluation (to determine the mechanism of overcoming contradictions between economic efficiency and social justice). The scientific novelty. The results obtained in the research process together describe the impact of the new economic system not only on economic relations and international relations, but also on the social life of citizens, their transforma- tion and the level of preparation for social change. After analyzing the scientific achievements of experts and researchers, we identified the advantages of transformation processes, their disadvantages, which affect social justice. Also, mechanisms have been established to overcome the prob- lems that arise at the time of technology implementation and found a balance between economically-effective results and social justice which must be ensured in all parts of the world. Conclusion. The fourth industrial revolution entails a radical change in the usual patterns of behavior in enterprises. Its aim is robotization and digitiza- tion of all spheres of life, complete transformation of human resources. The combination of intellectual resources together with the latest technologies sig- nificantly affects the quality of living standards and the development of the social sphere. The combination of economic efficiency and equity associated with the contra- dictions that exist in the field of distribution, inefficiency of institutional and organizational mechanism for regulating distribution relations, uneven distribution of resources and property rights and cause uneven distribution of income and strict differentiation and marginalization in the population structure, macroeconomic violations, inefficient system of social security and social insurance. Uneven dis- tribution acts as an objective reality, and therefore it is important to prevent its threatening indicators. To do this, it is necessary to adequately measure the degree of inequality, to control not only the difference in income between rich and poor, but also the size of income to prevent a decrease in minimum income below the minimum social standards. Social standards require constant revision and improve- ment of their calculation methods, taking into account the methodology used in countries with a high level of social development. Key words: social justice, economic efficiency, institutions, social institutions, economic activity, innovations.

scholarly journals Noonomy as the Material Basis for a Prospective Humanitarian Model of Public Order

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 1454
Author(s):  
Sergey Bodrunov
Keyword(s):  
Modern Society ◽  
Economic Transformation ◽  
Industrial Society ◽  
Positive Development ◽  
Public Order ◽  
Classical Political Economy ◽  
Material Basis ◽  
The Social ◽  
New Type ◽  
Transformation Processes

The development of the modern technological revolution and evidence of a deepening civilization crisis make us pose the question about the prospects of the social and economic transformation of the modern society under the influence of certain factors. S. Bodrunov approaches the resolution of this problem from the historical perspective on public development. He relies on methodology of the classical political economy and considers changes in the material basis of production as the main drivers of upcoming changes. Technological shifts lead to changes in the content of human activity and opportunities for the satisfaction of human wants. They also result in a gradual removal of humans from immediate production and cause shifts in the entire social structure. The author shows that the next stage in the development of the modern civilization will be the formation of a new type of public order–the New Industrial Society of the Second Generation (NIS.2), which stipulates gradual creation of prerequisites for transitioning from the economy to the noonomy. The noonomy constitutes a non-economic way of satisfying humans’ reasonable wants. It will serve as the material foundation for forming and ensuring the functionality of the noosociety. The article determines that humanitarian culture as a timeless value exerts crucial influence on the positive development of transformation processes considered under the theory of noonomy.

The ‘Economic’ in Indian Sociology: Genealogies, Disjunctions and Agenda

2021 ◽  
pp. 003802292110146
Author(s):  
Mufsin Puthan Purayil ◽  
Manish Thakur
Keyword(s):  
Developmental State ◽  
Division Of Labour ◽  
Sociological Study ◽  
Disciplinary History ◽  
The Social ◽  
History Of ◽  
Village Studies ◽  
Sociological Studies ◽  
The Relationship

A cursory glance at the century-old history of Indian sociology reveals its relative under-engagement with economic phenomena and processes. Although the ‘economic’ did get studied under the influence of agrarian and village studies, and certain apparently economic themes such as industry and labour did attract scholarly attention from some sociologists, we notice the absence of a sustained and robust academic tradition of sociological studies of the economy in India. There appears to have been an intellectual division of labour, where the study of economic issues was ceded to economists whereas sociologists remained jubilant with their studies of primordial institutions. This study attempts to locate this persistent disjunction between the social and the economic from the perspective of the disciplinary history. Of necessity, this calls for an examination of the relationship between sociology and economics, and the way it unfolded in post-independence India. To this end, this study discusses the role of the developmental state, the prevailing notions of expertise, and the differential treatment accorded to different social sciences’ disciplines. The paper concludes with the outlining of a disciplinary agenda for the sociological study of the ‘economic’.

scholarly journals The social space and misrecognition in 21st century France

2021 ◽  
pp. 003802612110201
Author(s):  
Will Atkinson
Keyword(s):  
Social Reproduction ◽  
Social Space ◽  
Economic Transformation ◽  
Occupational Groups ◽  
Social Survey ◽  
Geometric Data Analysis ◽  
The Social ◽  
Using Data ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Geographical Space

This article seeks to revisit the French social space 30 years after Pierre Bourdieu first mapped it in Distinction. Using data from the International Social Survey Programme, it deploys geometric data analysis to construct a model of the space of class positions that is remarkably similar in its structure to that presented by Bourdieu despite three decades of economic transformation. The relationship with occupational groups and geographical space is also familiar, though gender and, to a greater extent, age are perhaps more prominent than when Bourdieu was writing. The article then goes on to demonstrate the multidimensional nature of symbolic violence, in the form of perception of one’s place, and the manner in which social reproduction is misrecognised. On the latter point, it transpires that while there is recognition of unfair advantage, not only is faith in meritocracy the prevailing view but the dominated are the most likely to deny that having educated parents makes a difference to whether one ‘gets ahead’ or not.

scholarly journals Predictors and Importance of Social Aspects in Ikigai among Older Women

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (16) ◽  
pp. 8718
Author(s):  
Kazuki Seko ◽  
Michiyo Hirano
Keyword(s):  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Physical Function ◽  
Older Women ◽  
Causal Model ◽  
Social Activity ◽  
Social Aspects ◽  
Health It ◽  
The Social ◽  
New Interactions ◽  
The Relationship

Ikigai is a unique Japanese concept that encompasses not only joy and happiness, but also the purpose and meaning of life. The purpose of this study was to explore the factors that contribute to Ikigai, an important concept in the health of older women, and to clarify the relationship between Ikigai and the enhancement of the social aspects of their health. The participants in this longitudinal study, conducted between October 2017 and February 2020, were physically healthy older women aged 65 years and above (N = 132). Physical function and social activity were used as predictors of Ikigai. In addition, willingness for new interactions was used to examine the social aspects of health. A causal model was created from these factors, and path analysis was performed. The results demonstrated that participating in numerous interpersonal activities was predictive of increased Ikigai, but physical function was not. In addition, Ikigai was found to affect the willingness for new interactions. Further, Ikigai could be related to the willingness for new interactions. To enhance the social aspects of older women’s health, it is necessary to focus on Ikigai.

scholarly journals The Social Significance of Mr. Nazeer Khan’s Architecture

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 154
Author(s):  
Spahic Omer
Keyword(s):  
Science And Technology ◽  
Economic Transformation ◽  
Social Significance ◽  
The South ◽  
West Region ◽  
South West ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Subject ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
South West Region

<p>This paper discusses the social significance of Mr. Nazeer Khan’s architecture. The discussion revolves around the relationship between Mr. Nazeer Khan’s architecture and Kerala<a href="file:///D:/J%20I%20A%20(Journal%20of%20Islamic%20Architecture)/00%20NEW%20MANUSCRIPT/Indonesia%20Journal%20Malang%20Nazeer%20Khan%20-%20blind.docx#_ftn1">[1]</a> Muslims’ economic transformation, as well as Kerala state’s inter-faith harmony. The study is not about delivering judgments concerning Mr. Nazeer Khan and his architectural exploits from a sheer perspective of architecture as a synthesis of art, science and technology, for such could significantly narrow at once our purpose and focus, and could divert our attention from some vital thrusts of the subject at hand. Rather, the study is about Mr. Nazeer Khan’s architecture and Kerala’s religious and socio-economic molds, and how they correlate with each other, the latter clearly dictating and shaping the former. It is only against this expansive and complex back-drop that Mr. Nazeer Khan’s architecture could be properly observed and appreciated. A restricted and one-sided approach – regardless of what it might be -- would in all likelihood lead to some incomplete, patchy and even unfair opinions and inferences. The paper is divided into six sections: (1) Introduction: why this study? (2) Who is Mr. Nazeer Khan? (3) Kerala Muslims’ economic transformation; (4) Mr. Nazeer Khan’s architecture and Kerala’s inter-faith harmony; (5) Mr. Nazeer Khan’s architecture: diversity in unity; (6) Conclusion. The content of this study is based, mainly, on the author’s lengthy interviews with Mr. Nazeer Khan and many of his clients, as well as on the author’s field visits to a majority of Mr. Nazeer Khan’s completed and on-going projects. The interviews and field visits took place in 2013 and 2014.</p><div><br /><hr size="1" /><div><p><a href="file:///D:/J%20I%20A%20(Journal%20of%20Islamic%20Architecture)/00%20NEW%20MANUSCRIPT/Indonesia%20Journal%20Malang%20Nazeer%20Khan%20-%20blind.docx#_ftnref1">[1]</a> Kerala is a state in the south-west region of India.</p></div></div>

Strategic Theory as an Intellectual System

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Ayson
Keyword(s):  
Social Context ◽  
Social Activity ◽  
Intellectual System ◽  
Social Settings ◽  
System P ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Relationship

Strategy constitutes an ‘intellectual system’, where actions and expectations are interrelated. Ideas and actions have meaning and effect in a wider context in which other related parts need to be taken into consideration. Following Freedman, the importance of the social settings must be emphasized to illuminate how deterrence works and what it means. Strategy is about human choices, in given situations, rather than about fate and predestination. And for this reason, the strategist has to assess their own options, as well as those of others, and how these influence one another. This analysis suggests that strategy is an inherently social activity that can never be separated from its social context. It shows the importance of understanding social context in the iterative and interactive world of strategy, and also the relationship between ideas and empirical realities.

Occupations and Professions

Sociology ◽  
2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyle Albert ◽  
Kim Weeden
Keyword(s):  
Identity Formation ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Division Of Labor ◽  
Emotional Labor ◽  
Social Activity ◽  
Employment Practices ◽  
Network Analyses ◽  
The Social ◽  
Quantitative Analyses ◽  
The Relationship

Sociologists have long been fascinated with occupations and professions, both as forms of social organization and as the locus for other social processes and dynamics. Social control and cohesion, differentiation and inequality, collective action, power and influence, and identity formation are just a few of the topics considered by sociologists studying occupations and professions. Four strands of literature compose the sociology of occupations and professions, broadly defined. One strand tackles the division of labor, with the goal of understanding how positions in the division of labor are differentiated from one another (e.g., professions from other occupations), and how those differences are maintained. A second examines occupational communities, and, in particular, the relationship between occupational membership and individual behavior. A third strand focuses on the social activity of work itself, including the labor process, employer control of work, alienation and job satisfaction, unionization and its recent discontents, and the rise and fall of skills. Another thread of scholarship considers how occupations become associated with rewards (e.g., pay, prestige, authority, etc.). The field of occupations and professions has diversified methodologically in recent years, opening up new modes of inquiry into some of these topics. Indeed, whereas case studies of particular occupations dominated the field in the latter half of the 20th century, major empirical research in the last decade have included ethnographies, comparative case studies, network analyses, and quantitative analyses of survey data. And, although the pace of theoretical innovation in the “professions” literature may have slowed in recent years, the field remains a vibrant arena for studies of globalization, technological change, corporate reorganization and changes in employment practices, and the emergence of “new” types of work (e.g., service work, emotional labor).

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