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Two main approaches to micro-Two main approaches to micro-structurestructure

Roles: Look at social structure as a set of Roles: Look at social structure as a set of “jobs” with “functional requirements” and “jobs” with “functional requirements” and normative expectations.normative expectations.– Benny’s gang can also be analyzed as a set Benny’s gang can also be analyzed as a set

of normatively governed roles.of normatively governed roles.

Network: Look at social structure as a Network: Look at social structure as a set of connections of different kinds set of connections of different kinds between namable individuals.between namable individuals.– Networks are key to how blood feud’s start Networks are key to how blood feud’s start

and to how blood feuds can stop.and to how blood feuds can stop.

Micro-structure 1) RolesMicro-structure 1) RolesA social structure can be analyzed as a set of A social structure can be analyzed as a set of statuses each of which has a pattern of statuses each of which has a pattern of appropriate behavior (appropriate behavior (rolerole). *115-9.). *115-9.– ““Appropriate”means that some kind of sanctioning Appropriate”means that some kind of sanctioning

control will be exerted for inappropriate behavior .control will be exerted for inappropriate behavior .– Roles are in sets, so that the other roles in a given Roles are in sets, so that the other roles in a given

set often exert pressures to behave appropriately.set often exert pressures to behave appropriately.– The society as a role structure was the basis of a The society as a role structure was the basis of a

functional, normative conception of the social functional, normative conception of the social system.system.

– The roles and statuses exist independently of the The roles and statuses exist independently of the person occupying them, as a “job” in a company person occupying them, as a “job” in a company may exist even if it is vacant.may exist even if it is vacant.

Example: a jury trialExample: a jury trialSomeone called to jury duty may occupy the Someone called to jury duty may occupy the status of “juror” at the same time they occupy status of “juror” at the same time they occupy many other statuses (male, student)many other statuses (male, student)

Role strain occurs when the expectations of Role strain occurs when the expectations of different members of a set are inconsistent.different members of a set are inconsistent.

Role conflict occurs when the statuses Role conflict occurs when the statuses occupied by an individual push him/her in occupied by an individual push him/her in different directions.different directions.

Functionalists analyze social structure as a Functionalists analyze social structure as a normatively integrated set of roles.normatively integrated set of roles.

Informal structures also have role structures. Informal structures also have role structures.

Debated normsDebated normsOften there is considerable debate about Often there is considerable debate about what are the real “norms” that operate.what are the real “norms” that operate.

A jury trial operates under norms of equality A jury trial operates under norms of equality before the law, that is blind to class or race.before the law, that is blind to class or race.

Colin Ferguson and Bernard Goetz both Colin Ferguson and Bernard Goetz both shot a number of people and both used the shot a number of people and both used the defense of fear-and-rage. Ferguson was defense of fear-and-rage. Ferguson was found guilty, and Goetz acquitted. Why?found guilty, and Goetz acquitted. Why?

What were the roles and strains operating What were the roles and strains operating on on DELTA #422DELTA #422

What is “freedom?”What is “freedom?”

Americans all support freedom.Americans all support freedom.– But there are real disagreements about it.But there are real disagreements about it.– The Union and the Confederate armies both The Union and the Confederate armies both

thought they were fighting for freedom.thought they were fighting for freedom.

““In a free society its all right if a few people In a free society its all right if a few people accumulate a lot of wealth and property accumulate a lot of wealth and property while many others live in poverty.” Agree while many others live in poverty.” Agree or Disagree.or Disagree.– How would you answer?How would you answer?– What variables would affect this item?What variables would affect this item?

Examples of role structures and Examples of role structures and normative conflict:normative conflict:

The The Haqqania madrassaHaqqania madrassa ( (How they Grow TerroristsHow they Grow Terrorists) is a normatively ) is a normatively governed role structure.governed role structure.– What are possibly divergent interpretations of the What are possibly divergent interpretations of the

norms that are basic to that structure?norms that are basic to that structure?– What determines what interpretations win?What determines what interpretations win?– Often the main question is not how particular Often the main question is not how particular

people came to occupy those roles, but why people came to occupy those roles, but why those roles came to be as they are.those roles came to be as they are.

– How did those norms come to be the way they How did those norms come to be the way they are?are?

Micro structure 2: NetworksMicro structure 2: NetworksA Network is structure of concrete social A Network is structure of concrete social relationships.relationships.

Think of a network as a set of concrete Think of a network as a set of concrete relationships between named individuals.relationships between named individuals.

While people have different numbers of other While people have different numbers of other persons in their networks, an average network is persons in their networks, an average network is around 1000 persons.around 1000 persons.

Networks may be more open or closedNetworks may be more open or closed

In modern society, most networks are open; the In modern society, most networks are open; the people in one component of your network (e.g. kin) people in one component of your network (e.g. kin) do not know the people in other components do not know the people in other components (classmates, roommates, organization members.(classmates, roommates, organization members.

Example #1 Sociology professorExample #1 Sociology professorThe networkThe network

The ties, of different kinds, are similar to role sets.The ties, of different kinds, are similar to role sets.

Only a tiny fraction of the ties are represented.Only a tiny fraction of the ties are represented.

The overlap of indirect ties via one network member The overlap of indirect ties via one network member and those via another is very small, so that there are and those via another is very small, so that there are indirect ties to c. 1,000,000 (1000 x 1000). indirect ties to c. 1,000,000 (1000 x 1000).

A network of this kind can do many things that the A network of this kind can do many things that the kind of network characteristic of a close-knit kinship kind of network characteristic of a close-knit kinship system or a village cannot do.system or a village cannot do.

2 studies of the power of 2 studies of the power of networksnetworks

#1. Milgram: the small world problem.#1. Milgram: the small world problem.– Ask e.g. Omaha farmers to reach e.g. Boston theology Ask e.g. Omaha farmers to reach e.g. Boston theology

student by a chain of personal contacts.student by a chain of personal contacts.

– Many letters came through, in a matter of days, Many letters came through, in a matter of days, by chains of less than 5 links.by chains of less than 5 links.

– There are only “seven degrees of separation.”There are only “seven degrees of separation.”

The “small world” game works in an open The “small world” game works in an open system.system.– But there were major barriers of gender or race.But there were major barriers of gender or race.– How open are social ties in the U.S.?How open are social ties in the U.S.?

#2. Grannovetter: #2. Grannovetter: Getting a JobGetting a Job

A high fraction of upper level technical A high fraction of upper level technical jobs (especially better ones) were found jobs (especially better ones) were found by networks.by networks.Because:Because:

1.1. Vacancies disappear in a matter of days.Vacancies disappear in a matter of days.2.2. Networks often transmit intelligence Networks often transmit intelligence

more rapidly than organizations or paper.more rapidly than organizations or paper.3.3. A grapevine is an effective search deviceA grapevine is an effective search device4.4. But Networks tend to be biased and But Networks tend to be biased and

unequal.unequal.

Example 2) a terrorist networkExample 2) a terrorist network

The The network of 9/11network of 9/11Note some characteristics:Note some characteristics:

1.1. Only a small number of the total ties of Only a small number of the total ties of the parties are represented.the parties are represented.

2.2. It is open and redundant: eliminating It is open and redundant: eliminating members would not destroy it.members would not destroy it.

3.3. It is closed and segmented: few people It is closed and segmented: few people can incriminate more than a few people.can incriminate more than a few people.

Analysis: Analysis: America’s Secret WeaponAmerica’s Secret Weapon

Steward argues:Steward argues:

It takes a network to beat a network.It takes a network to beat a network.

A football team can’t defeat a soccer team.A football team can’t defeat a soccer team.

The example of Blackhawk down is part The example of Blackhawk down is part net.net.

In a netwar, firepower, taking leaders, In a netwar, firepower, taking leaders, taking territory, or retaliation has almost no taking territory, or retaliation has almost no effect. They can be counterproductive.effect. They can be counterproductive.

Al Qaeda as a SPINAl Qaeda as a SPIN

SegmentedSegmented: a cellular structure such that : a cellular structure such that components can work secretly and components can work secretly and independently.independently.PolycentricPolycentric: no center to kill: no center to killIdeologically integratedIdeologically integrated: high levels of : high levels of trust and social integration. Most direct trust and social integration. Most direct attacks merely increase ideological fervor.attacks merely increase ideological fervor.Networks Networks (We need to understand them.)(We need to understand them.)

Secret weapon?Secret weapon?1.1. Independent, autonomous opposed Independent, autonomous opposed

SPINs (I.e. Elliot Ness strategies)SPINs (I.e. Elliot Ness strategies)2.2. Hackers are a precious national Hackers are a precious national

resource.resource.3.3. We must understand network dynamics We must understand network dynamics

and their relations to home structures.and their relations to home structures.4.4. Only an open society that really Only an open society that really

understands the enemy can win the understands the enemy can win the battle of the narrative (which Steward battle of the narrative (which Steward says we have been loosing.) (How open says we have been loosing.) (How open is the intellectual system in the US?)is the intellectual system in the US?)

In thinking about winning the In thinking about winning the “War of the story”“War of the story”

we may need to make an open society we may need to make an open society and the rule of law more real than it is.and the rule of law more real than it is.

Durkheim’s concept of “organic solidary” Durkheim’s concept of “organic solidary” was tested in the “Dreyfus Affaire”was tested in the “Dreyfus Affaire”

Dreyfus was a Jew falsely accused of Dreyfus was a Jew falsely accused of treason. It was a case of profiling.treason. It was a case of profiling.

Some people argued that supporting the Some people argued that supporting the military courts was patriotic duty.military courts was patriotic duty.

Durkheim argued that Durkheim argued that everyeveryone in the society had to believe the law protects them.