Conclusion

Theory: A general, abstract explanation Causal relations Causal mechanisms

The Problem of Social Order Coordination Cooperation

Five theoretical approaches to social order Individuals Hierarchies Markets Groups Networks

Each approach has Different causal relations

In particular, different causal factors Different mechanisms

EG Individuals theories emphasizes situational mechanisms

EG Markets theories emphasizes transformational mechanisms

Including different assumptions about actors EG people are prosocial (value rational) (as in Individual theories)

EG people are self-interested (instrumentally rational)

While each individual theory may be slightly different, for each approach one can identify General assumptions/mechanisms Causal factors Questions left unanswered

Solution Causal Factors

Key Issues Mechanisms Remaining Questions

Individuals

Marx

Durkheim

Fleck

Mead

Cohen and Vandello

Shared

meaning How are shared meanings produced?

S: Social and physical environment affects meaning.

B: Shared meaning leads to individuals coordinating their behavior.

T: Coordinated individual behaviors aggregate to produce social order.

Why do people behave in ways counter to their individual interests? How do meaning and interests intersect to affect action? People may share meanings, but does this mean they will act in a prosocial manner?

Under what conditions is coordination cooperative?

Solution Causal Factors

Key Issues Mechanisms Remaining Questions

Hierarchy

Hobbes

Engels

Weber

Willis

Central Authority

How does a central authority emerge?

What makes it effective?

S: Social structure leads to conflicts of interest

B: Conflicts of interest lead to demand for government

T: Demand for government leads to formation of government.

S: Government increases the negative consequences of anti-social behavior and/or tries to instill a sense of its legitimacy

B: These costs and a sense of legitimacy discourage individual deviance and encourage prosocial behavior

T: Cooperative individual behaviors aggregate to produce social order

Why do self-interested individuals agree to government control?

How are the resources necessary to exercise control provided? Are there sufficient resources? Under what conditions are governments successful at instilling a sense of legitimacy?

Under what conditions are costs and legitimacy sufficient to induce self-interested individuals to change their behaviors in accordance with government demands?

Solutions Causal Factors

Key Issues Mechanisms Remaining Questions

Markets

Hayek

Schelling

Smith

Axelrod

Zimmer

Inter - dependence

Can un-regulated individuals produce an orderly society?

S: Interdependence leads to interest in interacting cooperatively

B: This interest leads individuals to behave cooperatively

T: Interactions between individuals lead to macro-level patterns of behavior

Under what conditions do individual action and interaction lead to chaos, coordination, and/or cooperation?

Approach Causal Factors

Key Issues Mechanisms Remaining Questions

Groups

Goffman

Freud

Durkheim

Tocqueville

Hechter

Coleman

Horne

Centola, Willer & Macy

Hechter, Friedman, & Kanazawa

Ties within groups

How do groups influence the behavior of members?

How can groups be influenced by the larger society?

S/B: A group controls its members through values and norms.

T: Individual prosocial behavior aggregates to produce social order at the group level.

S/B: The state punishes anti-social groups or rewards prosocial groups.

T: Group prosocial behavior aggregates to produce social order at the societal level.

What determines if values and norms are prosocial or antisocial?

What is the relation between values, norms, and law?

Approach Causal Factors

Key Issues Mechanisms Remaining Questions

Networks

Gellner

Gluckman

Simmel

Granovetter

Varshney

Group solidarity and structure of network ties

How do groups influence the behavior of members?

How can groups be influenced by the larger society?

S/B: A group controls members through values and norms (see mechanisms for values and norms)

S/B: The state punishes antisocial groups or rewards prosocial groups (see mechanisms for power and authority)

T: Group prosocial behavior aggregates to produce social order

OR

S: Network ties affect individual information, perceptions, values, etc.

B: These internal states affect individual propensity to go along

T: Individual action aggregates to produce order

What determines if these values and norms are prosocial or antisocial?

What is the relation between values, norms and law? What is the optimal mix of horizontal and vertical ties?

Why does all this matter?

Policy implications Each approach has different implications for

public policy

Should we privatize and let the market dictate what happens?

Should we use government power and resources?

Should we harness the power of groups and networks?

Research

Your life