Mills and Gerth’s Theory Vs Znaniecki’s Theory of Society
By: Erudite Seo Geek
Tags: Society, Sociology

Mills And Gerth’s Theory Vs Znaniecki’s Theory Of Society

Sociology is simply the study of human behavior. In general, sociology evaluates the way people live and what they are involved in. Theories have been conceptualized to explain human behavior. Such theories are the Mills and Gerth’s theory of society and Znaniecki’s theory of society. These theories bear some similarities and differences which are the main focus of this article.

To begin with, both of the theories are exhibit elements of analytical sociology. This is due to the manner in which the theories are constructed by the authors. In particular, both Mills and Znaniecki take some primary elements of social relations and they build on them in a systematic way. These elements are part of the larger social systems.

For instance, Mills and Gerth take up the political, economic, military, kinship, and religious orders which are tied to the social roles of individuals to come up with the social structure of a society (Mills and Gerth). On the other hand, Znaniecki takes up social actions and agents to build his social theory. These elements became the basis of their theories.

The other similarity is that both theories do not provide a clear distinction between micro and macro situations of the social life. In particular, Mill and Gerth’s theory is based on an individualistic continuum although the authors do not deny the idea of collectivism.

In regard to Znaniecki’s theory, a lot of emphases is still put on individual relation although churches, local communities, and even nations are mentioned. This isolates the whole idea of a micro-macro continuum.

Additionally, both theories treat social relations as a system. However, their definition of a system is different. According to Znaniecki sociology is a science that is defined by social systems. In particular, the systems are further subdivided into subsystems. These are social relations, social actions, social groups, and social persons.

From these subdivisions, Znaniecki deduces that sociology is concerned with one type of system, the social, which he also calls a cultural system. For Mills and Gerth, a system is defined by the roles played the actors in institutions. Furthermore, mill and Gerth proposes that for a system to work, the social action of an actor is met by the reaction of another.

In this model the social relations are between individuals and thus can be said to be symmetrical. In Znaniecki theory, social relations are unsymmetrical; they can be between groups, individuals, or even between a group and an individual.

One of the key contrasts is that Znaniecki deals primarily with social actions and social agents while Mill and Gerth’s theory is based on roles taken by individuals in institutions. As per the Znaniecki’s theory, individuals in the society such as the family members are the social agents. Thus the forms of interactions with the people in the immediate environment determine the relationship which develops (Znaniecloi).

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