Sociological Theories & Indian Society
This textbook covers classical sociological theorists (Auguste Comte, Émile Durkheim, Karl Marx, Max Weber), Indian sociology (M.N. Srinivas, G.S. Ghurye), Sanskritization, the caste system, the Jajmani system, and social stratification.
Classical Sociological Thinkers
Auguste Comte (1798–1857), the founding father of sociology, posited that human intellectual development progresses through three sequential stages:
Comte's Law of Three Stages
Supernatural Powers
Abstract Forces
Scientific Laws
Definition of Social Facts
"Social facts are ways of acting, thinking, and feeling, external to the individual, and endowed with a power of coercion by reason of which they control him."
| Suicide Type | Underlying Social Mechanism (Integration / Regulation) |
|---|---|
| Egoistic Suicide | Extremely low social integration; individual feels isolated. |
| Altruistic Suicide | Extremely high social integration; individual sacrifices self for group. |
| Anomic Suicide | Sudden breakdown in social regulation/rules (economic crashes). |
Karl Marx (1818–1883) asserted: "The history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class struggles."
Substructure (Base): Forces of production + Relations of production (Economic foundation).
Superstructure: Law, politics, religion, ideology (Determined by the Base).
Max Weber (1864–1920) categorized social action into 4 types: 1. Instrumental-Rational (Zweckrational), 2. Value-Rational (Wertrational), 3. Affective, and 4. Traditional.
Indian Society and Structural Concepts
Definition of Sanskritization
"Sanskritization is a process by which a low Hindu caste or tribe or other group changes its customs, ritual, ideology, and way of life in the direction of a high and frequently 'twice-born' (Dvija) caste."