
Contents
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2.1. Social Structures 2.1. Social Structures
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2.2. Social Positions, Institutions, Rules, and Organizations 2.2. Social Positions, Institutions, Rules, and Organizations
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2.3. Ideology or Ideas as Essence? 2.3. Ideology or Ideas as Essence?
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2.4. Base, Superstructure, and Social Classes 2.4. Base, Superstructure, and Social Classes
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2.5. Individual Motivation 2.5. Individual Motivation
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2.6. Concluding Remarks on Structure and Individual Motivation 2.6. Concluding Remarks on Structure and Individual Motivation
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Two Social Structure and Individual Motivation
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Published:September 2015
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Abstract
Chapter 2 outlines some basic and more general concepts and issues that are necessary before dealing with the more specific social formation of capitalism. A social structure is defined as a set of social relations between interacting individuals in a society. Social positions are designated social roles within social structures. Institutions are systems of established and prevalent social rules that structure social interactions. An organization is a special type of institution involving membership, principles of sovereignty, and a structure delineating responsibilities. It is then argued that systems such as capitalism cannot be understood purely in terms of the ideas people use to describe the system or are prevalent within it. Marx's base/superstructure metaphor is found wanting, partly because elements consigned to the “base” require legal terms to define them, while Marx allocated law to the “superstructure.” A brief, evolutionary-grounded account of human motivation is outlined, stressing that people have moral as well as selfish motives, as well as dispositions to obey authority.
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