3.+Social+Theory

Basics:

 * This page includes information on social theory. The topics include information about Habermas, Public Sphere, Marxism, and Communism. Social Theory essentially explores the manner that we interact and often views culture through a critical lens. This section contains basic information about several components of Social Theory as well as analogies that further explain the various concpets.**



=The Internet, Social Media and the Public Sphere=

The public sphere is a concept that was developed by Jurgen Habermas, in his book The Structural Transformation of the Public Sphere: An Inquiry into a Category of Bourgeois Society. Essentially, the public sphere is an area where people can come together to discuss and debate societal issues. And through this debate, they have a collective power through which they can influence political action. In Habermas’ ideal public sphere, each member of the public would be allowed an equal opportunity to express his or her opinions as well as each person’s opinions would hold equal weight within the discussion. This ideal form of the public sphere has not ever truly existed, however, it is what democratic societies should strive for.

In more recent years, it has been argued that the mass media has diminished the public sphere and its critical nature. Instead of debating and deciding on a common judgement, mass media has been argued to turn the public into a passive one. However, to combat this, there is now the Internet which although does not create a perfect and ideal public sphere, does give more power back to the public. Through social networks created on the Internet, people now have more individual power to influence opinion and to express their opinion within the public sphere. Although the Internet does not create an ideal public sphere it does provide hope for a more democratic sphere in the future.

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Social Media
Social media such as Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, and YouTube have all allowed for a more developed public sphere. Not only can people express their views, they can also debate and discuss with others. Although social media may not perfectly fit into Habermas’ idea of the ideal public sphere where everyone has equal opportunity and equal weight, it does however provide more power to the public. In general, there has never existed a true and equal public sphere; power is always manipulated. However, through social networks people are increasing their own personal power to communicate their opinions. Since there are now so many ways in which to display one’s opinions on issues, more people are empowered to contribute to the public discussion of issues.

Each social media adds its own capabilities to the public sphere. For example, on Pinterest, people can collect ideas, pictures, websites, etc. about any issue onto a board that expresses to the world their ideas and beliefs. In addition, you can make pins and gather information from around the web to support your opinions and to form a cohesive argument on your Pinterest page.

Facebook also has capabilities that allow for more equal debate and discussion of ideas. On Facebook, many people express their own opinions, especially political opinions, through statuses, pictures, liked pages, membership to different group pages, etc. There is even a section of the About page that allows users to label their political views. In addition, Facebook also allows for others to comment, which allows for a dialogue to begin on issues. Often debates are waged in the comment sections, with each user able to post and respond to posts.

Another social medium that contributes to the public sphere is Twitter. It is a micro-blogging platform that allows for free expression through a creative limit of 140 characters. In addition, users can use hashtags and common phrases to create collectives of tweets about the same subjects. Not unlike Facebook, Twitter allows for others to comment and share the opinions that people tweet. Essentially, users can create a dialogue, or have a virtual discussion about issues, while also being able to attach photos, video, links, etc. to support their opinions.

Yet another social medium that contributes to the public sphere is Tumblr. Tumblr is a medium that allows its users to create blogs and share them with others. However, unlike Twitter, there is no limit to the characters or videos, pictures, etc. that can be included in the blog post. Users use Tumblr to create blogs on all sorts of topics, including politics and a range of political issues. On Tumblr, users can also share and comment on each other’s content, allowing for a conversation or potentially debate to emerge.

A final social media that is potentially the most commonly used forum for expressing personal opinion to the public is YouTube. YouTube is a social media platform through which users can create and share videos, as well as other users can comment on the videos. In addition, users create channels and subscribe to channels where people create videos that they like and would like to be alerted to. Essentially, YouTube allows for a discussion and debate through the creative means of videos and critique.

Social Spaces
The Internet as a medium provides many channels, or spaces, for people to congregate, interact and express their opinion. Blogs, forums, group and meet-up pages, user comments, and other channels allow people to come together in new ways to discuss social issues. These channels free people from many of the prior limitations imposed by traditional media, political and social establishments. Without constraints related to publishing and distribution, and censorship and the control of information, people have enhanced access to the public sphere. This is enhanced by the opportunity for two-way communication and the ability to interact with others regardless of time and place. Such a breadth of possibilities allows for a more equal opportunity to express one’s opinions. Judgement of the weight of others’ opinions is left up to audiences themselves by what they choose to view and interact with; value is no longer determined by media and political authorities or others in charge.

Blogs: Blogs allow individuals or groups to post their own opinions on their own terms for potentially anyone to access. People can publish their own perspectives without traditional media limitations and loopholes. Political blogs usually operate outside formal political and media establishments and boundaries. Blogs, especially those which grow to be popular and prominent, have the potential to influence political leadership and shape voters’ opinions and behaviors.

Forums & Chat Rooms: Forums allow people to converse through messages posted in threads. They provide a space where people can congregate and debate asynchronously, not limited by time or place. Messages are often archived and people can contribute to whatever conversations they choose or even start their own. They can post and reply to others’ posts, even sometimes anonymously. Chat rooms are locations where people can engage in synchronous discussion. The ability to interact with people in real-time chat or instant messaging allows people to discuss any topic they wish with anyone, despite constraints like geographical location. The range of options available through forums and chat rooms make it easier for people to come together in a place and discuss a range of topics they feel are important. While some forums and chat rooms are moderated, anyone still has the ability to post what they would like, although it may or may not be taken down.

Activist Groups: Activists attempt to promote or direct change or stasis, and political activism can take a wide range of forms including writing letters to newspapers or politicians, campaigning, boycotts, rallies, street marches, strikes, sit-ins, and others. With the ability to create their own websites, activist groups all over have been able to spread their word and mission, and organize events more efficiently. Well known groups and even grassroots movements now have a broader reach and a place in the spotlight to contribute to the public sphere. Groups can reach out to a larger audience; they have more access to the public with less financial and distribution limitations. Websites allow activist groups to expand their range of influence, gain more followers, and as a result, potentially have more impact on political action.

Meet-Up Pages: Meet-Up groups allow people to find groups locally or anywhere to meet up with. Networks like this make it easy for anyone to organize groups or find an existing one. It is easier to arrange face-to-face meetings with this, more quickly and at a larger scale. The ability to connect with people first online and then in person adds a new dimension to the public sphere. People can come together not only through one medium, but multiple mediums. They can continue the discussions they have on the web off the web. Meet-Up groups provide the opportunity for people to come together and discuss topics with people they might normally not have been connected with, broadening and diversifying the public sphere.

News Comments: The ability to post comments on online news articles gives audiences a chance to respond to journalists. This creates the opportunity for two-way communication, and audiences are no longer passive receptors. People are now a part of the news in new ways. Whereas at one point, people were only exposed to the opinions selected for them by journalists and media outlets, they now have the ability to contribute their own viewpoints and opinions along with the mainstream news. The comments section on news articles provides a space for people to gather, respond and debate on topics that were previously reserved for only specific people. Average audience members now have access more equal to journalists and other news-decision makers.

Discussion Boards: Like forums and chat rooms, discussion boards allow anyone to create new topics or reply to others in existing ones. With the chance to get involved in debate on any topic with anyone at any time, discussion boards remove many of the limitations imposed by the traditional public sphere.

Political Art & Cartoons: With the ability to post on the Internet, anyone can create art and express themselves to a wide audience without needing to be published. Political cartoons are no longer limited to pages of newspapers or witty magazines. People can draw their own and post them for all to see. Amateur cartoons on the Internet vary in opinions and artistic skills, but value and influence is up to the audience that chooses to view them.

Social Dialogue
by. Alexander Moe = Podcasting, Reddit and Memes =

by. Alexander Moe

>> Also, podcasts seem to be more closely tied to other realms within the internet (i.e., the internet is the main platform for podcasts) such as official web pages, forums, chat rooms, Facebook fan pages, direct twitter accounts, where the conversations carry on in which listeners can provide further information to the conversation on the podcast. In some cases a tweet from a fan containing relatable material is mentioned live on the podcast, or on the next broadcast. >> Therefore podcasts, although they do not foster a complete, visible, public sphere, they do offer “1.5 way communication” (i.e., two-way communication, but not completely), where listeners, guests and hosts can express opinions, anecdotes, experiences and other aspects of their lives. Because of the seemingly low restriction, the conversations are to an extent unfiltered, uncensored, and listeners might get the feeling that it is currently the closest format in which notable members of society can come in as guests in what may appear to be the direct opposite of the clean-cut press conference style of conversation with select members of mainstream media. media type="youtube" key="RThSMFheJOA" height="315" width="560" Joe Rogan Podcast #327 with UFC President Dana White
 * **Podcasting – Example: The Joe Rogan Experience**
 * o Podcasts are essentially radio programs broadcasted on the web. They are both live and stored so viewing can occur at listeners discretion. Some podcasts, including the Joe Rogan Podcast, are also picked up by satellite radio due to their success (i.e., . What [[image:01-joe-rogan-experience.png width="415" height="269" align="right"]]can be seen as unique with podcasts (either on the internet or satellite radio) is that the FCC (i.e., Federal Communications Commission) is taken out of the equation and thus there is often no censorship in the language, expressed opinions etc. Furthermore, most podcasts have sponsors, but the involved companies does not seem to restrict language or opinions in any way, unless perhaps when the podcasters talk about the respective products.

=REDDIT=

=**Obama Goes on Reddit:**= >> Reddit seem to be a word play on “read it” and/or “edit”. And frequent users describe themselves as “redditors”. User demographics are known to be dominated by users with a higher education background, and they all present themselves with anonymous online identities >> official government name) to discuss and take questions from “redditors”. Similar to podcasting, the nature of this session seemed more unfiltered than most press conferences being held in the white house press room, where President Obama grappled with questions from non-journalists that may have come across as less filtered than the president himself, without causing any damage to the conversation.
 * o Reddit is an online community in which people discuss unique things that are observed throughout society as a whole. They share [[image:A1fh5r5CUAELN3R.jpg-large_large_verge_medium_landscape.jpg width="256" height="167" align="right"]]pictures, stories, as well as tips and tricks. Each Reddit page is organized in the following order: reddit.com**/r/philosophy**. The limits are non-existent as in terms of as far the English goes in creating pages. For example, reddit.com**/r/Clemson** already exists and contains any topic related to Clemson, the geographical area, sociopolitical aspects as well as random student life related issues and topics. Also, reddit.com**/r/communications** is also one worth checking out!
 * Due to the natures of this online community President Barack Obama went on to Reddit in person (i.e., the only user with


 * Memes: ** Memes allow for critical expression in a very brief way. Although they do not foster specific and direct commentary, people can respond with other memes, or if they embed or share memes from other media (i.e., facebook, forums, chat rooms) they can discuss them there. Essentially memes can be used as critiques; of ideas, actions, opinions. In nature memes are humorous, with sarcastic, and critical undertones.

=Jürgen Habermas=

Jurgen Habermas---He is the father of the social theory of the Public Sphere

Below is a link to the Spark Notes page for Habermas' book in which he outlines what the public sphere is and its importance. [|Structural Transformation of the Public Sphere]

Click here for a handout that briefly describes Habermas and the basic tenets of the Public Sphere

The History
 * Before the 18th century there was a “representational” culture
 * ====Feudal lord who presented himself as the embodiment of a “higher” power====
 * Feudal authorities (church, princes, nobility) had public power, which was not however part of the public sphere
 * corresponds to the feudal state of development according to Marxist theory
 * The coming of the capitalist stage marked the appearance of the public sphere
 * Having national and territorial states also helped to create the public sphere
 * The public sphere allowed for private individuals to assemble into a public body and critique the public authority

The main tenet of the Public Sphere is to allow for critique and public debate. It allows for people to be deliberative and to control the government to which they give power. However, is it truly a public sphere when it discounts women, minorities, homosexuals, etc?

Is the public sphere as Jurgen Habermas described it just a form of hegemony? --Posted by Megan S.

Public Sphere and the Internet
Although there is debate as to whether or not the Internet represents a new public sphere...here is a project which supports using the internet to create and establish public spheres around the globe. [|E-Liberate]

They believe in online deliberation and in creating knowledge communities to spread the word about policies and other information important to the public. How does this stance compare to that of [|Jodi Dean]? Do you truly think that the Internet allows for a new form of public sphere? --Posted by Megan S.

Labor and Marxism
As a former food industry employee, I was forced to provide free and/or wholly under-compensated labor on a regular basis. It's common knowledge that servers typically make somewhere around $2.50 to $3.00 an hour while working with the justification that tips from customers equals [|the legal minimum wage] or more than the legal minimum wage. All that is well and good (maybe) as long as there are customers in the building and you are serving them. However, servers are mandated by their employers to complete what is called "side-work." This can include anything from rolling silverware, sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, refilling condiments, etc. . . In my experience, I was scheduled to come in an hour before the doors opened for customers to complete side-work. I was also expected to stay after the last customer left to do more side-work. The problem? During these hours, I was only paid $2.15. Well below the legal minimum wage. Free labor? Pretty much. Especially over a six year time period. So, when I heard about [|this lawsuit] I smiled a little. #freelabor #Marxism

-Posted by Sara Crocker

Communism and Marxist Theory

 * He's a COMMUNIST!!! Obama is a COMMUNIST!!!**


 * Communism or Marxist Theory is vastly misunderstood by some groups in the United States. For these particular political factions, calling someone a Communist is meant as an insult of the deepest kind. However, those who so readily sling this insult, seemingly [|can't explicate] what exactly it means to be a "communist." **

Posted by: Sara Crocker & Roth Smith

Subscribing to Marxist ideals is largely negatively perceived in our capitalistic society. But are we really capitalistic purists like we think we are? The below PDF file contains general statements that we surmise Americans will probably agree with for the most part. They reflect Marxist ideals and thought. Examine them. See which ones you agree with. Then, think about them in contrast to the way Marxism is portrayed in American society.

Posted by Sara Crocker & Roth Smith

The following powerpoint used in Sara and Roth's team teach provides visuals related to communism.

** Bourgeois vs. Proletarians **
As I was reading Part 2 of the Bourgeois and the Proletarians, the scene of the Continental army marching to Yorktown for the final battle of the Revolutionary War continued to replay in my head. The Confederate army, formed from militias comprised of men of ordinary citizenry to the American colonies, unionized to fight against the British army in efforts liberate themselves from the British Empire. They were left powerless from extensive //taxation without representation// by Britain, which of course is what began the Revolutionary War. Although the Continental army consisted of low-class subjects governed by the rich Parliament of Britain, there are power in numbers and the result of the war sent Britain "packing" back across the Atlantic. The parallel here, of course, is Britain's inability to keep the colony citizens (i.e. the Proletarians) as subjects under their control because of the excessive taxation and the bourgeoisie produced "its own grave-diggers. Its fall and the victory of the proletariat are equally inevitable."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTz-kUVvQEY

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**Communism Simplified**
This is grossly oversimplified, but at the same time the basic tenant is still there. The basic premise is that you own two cows that produce milk. The connection between how the government handles your property of cows is contrasted between different types of government. If you are seeking to look just at Communism it goes from (1:33 to 1:42). Minor disclaimer: this is rather politically incorrect. Source: @http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIPDJ1Cc_uw&feature=related

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-Posted by Lauren

**Marx and Engel**
The order of the slideshow is as follows: 1) Marx, 2) Engel, 3) The Communist Manifesto, 4) Statue of Marx and Engel, 5) Lenin, 6) Russian Communists. The picture of Lenin was added because Lenin was the most famous person to put Communism into action and let the world see how it would work. He changed many things from Marx and Engel's original view which is which some claim is the reason why it failed. The pictures are meant to be a short kind of timeline of communism.

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- Posted by Michele

Marxism on Pinterest
This was fun pinning stuff to my Pinterest... I might do this for a few more its a good way to kill time but actually be productive! This is a Karl Max board... haven't figure out to put it on here with anything other than a link.

[|Pinterest-Karl Marx]

-Posted by Elizabeth

**Marxists Internet Archive**
@http://www.marxists.org/

I found this website when I was looking for more supporting material for Marxism. The website provides tons of information and articles related to Marxism. You can also find audio books on the website! Other than the massive amount of archives, the website is available in different languages as well. It seems that the website is maintained by volunteers all around the world and the material is available for everyone to use, which I think this represents the "communism" at some level. Note: Most of the material is public domain, unless noted. Please cite the website as the source.

-Posted by Dongni

**S.M.U.R.F.: A metaphor for Communism**
Have you ever noticed that the Smurfs are a metaphor for communism? We all know about Papa Smurf with his huge white beard and red outfit, does he not resemble the communist leader Karl Marx? Smurf= Socialist Men Under Red Father or Soviet Men Under Red Father. This comes in many different forms but I found this rather comical when trying to understand what exactly communist society entailed. This video explains the meaning of communism while comparing it to the children television show, The Smurfs. Pay close attention to 0:54-3:47. [|S.M.U.R.F.]

Here is another link for comparison: [|Smurf Communism]

-Posted by Colleen

Marxist Tenets
I am all about using visuals to help remember things. Here are some of the tenets Marx proposes.

[|Glogster] media type="youtube" key="oqcMy3cOiW4" height="315" width="560"This is a very informative video - Posted by Elizabeth

**College Athletes vs. The NCAA - How the bourgeoisie maintain oppression**
The debate over whether or not collegiate athletes should be paid for their efforts has heated up within the past decade or so. Some are vehemently [|opposed] to the notion of student athletes receiving compensation for their performance. Others note the tremendous profits raised by academic institutions for their athletic achievements as reason to [|divvy up that money] to the athletes that make it. This scenario presents a metaphorical parallel to the relationship between the proletariat and the bourgeoisie as Marx described. The NCAA - the regulatory body of college athletics - has imposed its will in making sure student athletes are not paid to play (well, aside from the full scholarships they receive as incentive to attend college). To that end, the NCAA has made sure to maintain its stance by sanctioning offenders of that rule; most notably Miami and Ohio State this past season. But given the commercialization around college athletics - perhaps a reflection of the anti-Capitalist Marxist rhetoric - are student-athletes really an oppressed group? Is their scholarship not enough? And where do we draw the line in terms of who we pay and how much they get?

To me, this debate only adds fuel to the fire surrounding social theory and capitalist ideologies. We see a LOT of money being made at the expense of a group that doesn't see a dime of it. The video below is from a group of Clemson students that debated this topic in a Sports Communication class. I think it raises some very interesting points. Check it out:

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- Posted by Brandon

**__It Was a Witch Hunt!__ **
When we talk about communism and society we must take into consideration American dissent the 1940's-1950's. Moreover we look to the parallel between the Salem witch Trials ( [] ) and blacklisting during McCarthyism ( [] ). The parallel exists with the blatant hunt, persecution and demand for affiliations to a minority party of people whether on a religious level in the Salem Witch Trials, or during the age of Hollywood Blacklisting. These two eras of persecution instigated deflection and name calling, for the sake of saving freedom. We see this parallel take shape in Arthur Miller's, __The Crucible__ ( http://www.amazon.com/Crucible-Viking-Critical-Library/dp//ref=sr_1_1 s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1328668876&sr=1-1 ). While this ideal concept of communism came to power in various nations, with debated morals, great anti-communist hysteria was instilled in the U.S. democratic state. Note, __The Crucible,__ like other works from Arthur Miller, is meant to be on stage, therefore, must be read as such.

For a overview of the piece:

[]

- Posted by Sarah

**Developments of the Enlightenment**
People began thinking for themselves and challenging the traditional ideas espoused by the Church and state. These are a few of the ideas on reformation and social powers that came from great Enlightenment thinkers. --Megan, Meagan, and Tierney
 * __Idea__ || __Thinker__ || __Impact__ ||
 * Natural rights—life, liberty, property || Locke || Fundamental to U.S. Declaration of Independence ||
 * Right to rebel || Locke || Fundamental to U. S. Declaration of Independence/American Revolution ||
 * Separation of powers || Montesquieu || France, United States, and Latin American nations use separation of powers in new constitutions ||
 * Freedom of thought and expression || Voltaire || Guaranteed in U.S. Bill of Rights and French Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen; European monarchs reduce or eliminate censorship ||
 * Abolishment of torture || Beccaria || Guaranteed in U.S. Bill of Rights; torture outlawed or reduced in nations of Europe and the Americas ||
 * Religious freedom || Voltaire || Guaranteed in U.S. Bill of Rights and French Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen; European monarchs reduce persecution ||
 * Women’s equality || Wolstonecraft || Women’s rights groups form in Europe and North America ||
 * Social contract || Hobbes || The use of a periodic, consistent vote ||
 * Legitimate power comes from the people || Rousseau || Fundamental to U.S. Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution & American Revolution ||