Course

Foundations of Modern Social Theory

Yale University

This course provides a comprehensive overview of major works of social thought from the modern era to the 1920s. Key aspects include:

  • Social and intellectual contexts
  • Conceptual frameworks and methods
  • Contributions to contemporary social analysis

Writers covered in the course include:

  • Thomas Hobbes
  • John Locke
  • Montesquieu
  • Jean-Jacques Rousseau
  • Adam Smith
  • Karl Marx
  • Max Weber
  • Emile Durkheim

This Yale College course, recorded for Open Yale Courses in Fall 2009, was taught on campus twice a week for 50 minutes.

Course Lectures
  • Introduction
    Iván Szelényi

    The course begins with an introduction from Professor Szelenyi, who presents a broad overview of the major social thinkers covered throughout the course. He discusses their biographies, key works, and contributions to social theory, focusing on the following figures:

    • Hobbes
    • Locke
    • Montesquieu
    • Rousseau
    • Smith
    • J.S. Mill
    • Marx
    • Nietzsche
    • Freud
    • Weber
    • Durkheim

    This foundational module sets the stage for deeper exploration into each thinker's ideas and contributions.

  • This module delves into the life and ideas of Thomas Hobbes, emphasizing the historical context of his work during a tumultuous period in British monarchy. Key themes include:

    • The state of nature and human equality
    • The social contract and the need for a strong sovereign
    • The controversial aspects of Hobbes's theories, including the right of subjects to transfer allegiance

    Hobbes's influence on contemporary economic theories and rational choice theory is also discussed, highlighting his relevance in modern social science.

  • This module focuses on John Locke, contrasting his liberal views with Hobbes's conservative thinking. Key points include:

    • Locke's view of individuals in a state of nature as free and equal
    • The role of government in protecting property and individual rights
    • The separation of powers within government

    The discussion emphasizes Locke's optimistic view of human nature and his impact on modern democratic thought.

  • This module shifts focus to Montesquieu, who critiques both Hobbes and Locke while introducing his own ideas about governance and social structures. Key topics include:

    • The concept of separation of powers, influencing the U.S. Constitution
    • The relationship between environment and social behavior
    • The importance of laws and governance methods over the question of who governs

    Montesquieu's innovative ideas on social organization and the impact of climate on society are also explored.

  • This module covers Jean-Jacques Rousseau's influential ideas on popular sovereignty and the general will. Key aspects include:

    • Rousseau's experiences and friendships within the French Enlightenment
    • The concepts of universal suffrage and consent of the governed
    • The tension between individual will and the collective interest

    Rousseau's significant impact on the French Revolution and modern democratic thought is highlighted, showcasing the complex nature of his ideas.

  • This module continues the exploration of Rousseau's thought, focusing on his views on education and the state of nature. Key themes include:

    • The distinction between amour de soi and amour propre
    • His advocacy for "negative education" to protect students from societal corruption
    • The role of education in developing civic responsibility and moral character

    Rousseau's belief that individuals are inherently good and the impact of society on moral development is discussed.

  • This module explores the concept of utilitarianism as articulated by John Stuart Mill. Key discussions include:

    • The evolution of utilitarian thought from Bentham to Mill
    • The distinction between quantitative and qualitative differences in happiness
    • Mill's views on liberty and its importance in society

    The complexities of Mill's ethical positions and their implications for individual rights and societal norms are also analyzed.

  • Smith: The Invisible Hand
    Iván Szelényi

    This module discusses Adam Smith's ideas about the invisible hand of the market and self-interest. Key elements include:

    • Smith's dual perspectives in moral and economic thought
    • The interplay between sympathy and self-interest
    • Mill's critiques and expansions on Smith's theories

    Smith's influence on modern economics and political thought is explored, highlighting his relevance in contemporary discussions about capitalism.

  • Marx's Theory of Alienation
    Iván Szelényi

    This module examines Karl Marx's theory of alienation, tracing his intellectual development and key influences. Important topics include:

    • The Young Hegelians and Marx's break from their ideas
    • The material conditions leading to alienation in capitalist society
    • Marx's revolutionary ideas and their implications for social change

    Marx's transition from idealism to materialism and its significance for understanding class struggle is also discussed.

  • This module continues the examination of Marx's theories, particularly his concept of historical materialism. Key themes include:

    • The transition from young to mature Marx's ideas
    • Marx's critique of Hegelian thought and civil society
    • His theory of exploitation and its implications for class relations

    The significance of Marx's "Theses on Feuerbach" and their relevance to his overall philosophy are discussed in detail.

  • This module delves further into Marx's historical materialism, focusing on his critique of capitalism and the conditions for social change. Key points include:

    • The role of class struggle in historical transitions
    • Marx's views on truth and the relationship between consciousness and material conditions
    • His assertion that life determines consciousness

    The implications of Marx's theories for understanding societal development and economic structures are explored.

  • Marx's Theory of History
    Iván Szelényi

    This module focuses on Marx's theory of history, particularly his reflections in the Grundrisse. Key discussions include:

    • Marx's revision of his theory of historical change
    • The significance of property relations in shaping historical transitions
    • Marx's multi-linear view of history, contrasting with prior uni-linear theories

    A closer look at Marx's complex understanding of class and property relations provides critical insights into his vision of capitalism and communism.

  • This module addresses Marx's theory of class and exploitation, emphasizing its development across his key works. Important topics include:

    • The distinction between the capitalist mode of production and commodity production
    • Marx's concept of surplus value and its role in exploitation
    • The implications of class dynamics in the capitalist system

    Discussions also cover the limitations of Marx's model in relation to contemporary class structures, including the existence of a middle class.

  • This module introduces Friedrich Nietzsche and his critical theory, bridging the gap to the twentieth century. Key discussions include:

    • The relationship between power, knowledge, and morality
    • Nietzsche's critique of modern morality and its historical context
    • The concept of the genealogy of morals

    Nietzsche's influence on subsequent critical theory and his enduring relevance in contemporary discussions about morality and power are explored.

  • This module examines Sigmund Freud's contributions to critical theory, especially regarding consciousness and civilization. Key topics include:

    • The development of psychoanalysis and its societal implications
    • The concepts of the id, ego, and superego
    • Freud's analysis of civilization's relationship to individual psychology

    Freud's critiques of repression and the balance between individual desires and societal norms are also discussed.

  • This module focuses on Max Weber's analysis of the relationship between Protestantism and the emergence of capitalism. Key discussions include:

    • The influence of Protestant beliefs on economic behavior
    • Weber's critique of capitalism and modernity
    • Comparative analysis of motivations behind capitalist action

    Weber's complex perspective on capitalism contrasts with Marx's views, highlighting the cultural dimensions of economic systems.

  • This module delves into Weber's theory of domination, exploring how authority is established and maintained. Key points include:

    • The distinction between power and legitimacy
    • The three modes of authority: traditional, charismatic, and legal-rational
    • The implications of these modes for understanding social structures

    Weber's insights into the nature of authority provide a critical framework for assessing leadership and governance.

  • This module further explores Weber's concepts of traditional authority, examining its characteristics and dynamics. Key discussions include:

    • The nature of traditional authority and its forms: patrimonialism and patriarchalism
    • The differences between these forms and their implications for social governance
    • The tension between traditional authority and capitalist motivations

    Weber's analysis helps illuminate the challenges traditional authority faces in modern contexts.

  • This module addresses Weber's concept of charismatic authority, its dynamics, and its implications for social change. Key themes include:

    • The revolutionary nature of charismatic authority and its instability
    • The identification of charismatic successors
    • The challenges in maintaining charismatic leadership

    Weber's insights into the nature of charismatic authority offer an understanding of how leaders shape social movements and changes.

  • This module explores Weber's legal-rational authority, emphasizing its characteristics and significance in modern governance. Key points include:

    • The definition and ideal type of bureaucracy
    • The role of rules and institutions in establishing authority
    • Examples of legal-rational authority in historical and contemporary contexts

    Weber's analysis provides a critical lens through which to evaluate the functioning of modern political systems.

  • Weber's Theory of Class
    Iván Szelényi

    This module examines Weber's theory of class, focusing on the shift from status to class determining life chances. Key discussions include:

    • The historical context of class formation in feudal and modern societies
    • The modern capitalist class structure and its implications
    • The interaction between class and status in determining life chances

    Weber's insights into class dynamics provide a nuanced understanding of social stratification in contemporary contexts.

  • This module focuses on Emile Durkheim's contributions to sociology, particularly his exploration of social solidarity. Key themes include:

    • The transition from mechanical to organic solidarity
    • The role of division of labor in shaping societal cohesion
    • Durkheim's methodological collectivism and its implications for understanding society

    Durkheim's pioneering work laid the groundwork for modern sociology, emphasizing the importance of social structures in maintaining order.

  • Durkheim's Theory of Anomie
    Iván Szelényi

    This module delves into Durkheim's theory of anomie, exploring its causes and implications in modern society. Key points include:

    • The relationship between social regulation and anomie
    • The impact of industrialization and urbanization on social cohesion
    • Comparative analysis with Marx's notion of alienation

    Durkheim's insights into the pathological consequences of modernity provide a critical framework for understanding contemporary social issues.

  • Durkheim on Suicide
    Iván Szelényi

    This module explores Durkheim's seminal work on suicide, emphasizing the social factors behind this seemingly individual act. Key discussions include:

    • The use of statistical analysis to identify patterns in suicide rates
    • The influence of social integration and moral regulation on suicide
    • Durkheim's typology of suicide: egoistic, altruistic, anomic, and fatalistic

    Durkheim's analysis continues to be influential in understanding the social dimensions of mental health and suicide.

  • Durkheim and Social Facts
    Iván Szelényi

    This module addresses Durkheim's concept of social facts, emphasizing their role in sociology. Key points include:

    • The definition and nature of social facts
    • Methodological approaches to studying social facts
    • The relationship between social facts and individual behavior

    Durkheim's framework for understanding social phenomena provides foundational insights for the field of sociology, highlighting the importance of collective representations.