Cambio social ESEM

Summary

In this video, Paola Vallejo explores the concepts of social change, focusing on two types: structural and conjunctural. Structural change involves significant transformations in society's organization, such as changes in government or economic systems, which can redefine social relations and institutions. Conjunctural change, on the other hand, refers to shifts that do not alter the overall structure but address temporary imbalances, like economic crises or pandemics. Vallejo uses examples like agricultural advancements and technological revolutions to illustrate these changes, emphasizing the ongoing relevance of understanding these dynamics to navigate our ever-evolving world.

Takeaways

• 😀 Social change refers to any alteration in the structure or organization of society.
• 😀 Structural change is a large-scale, collective transformation that modifies the entire social organization or significant components of it.
• 😀 Conjunctural change involves temporary shifts that correct an imbalance in society without altering the core structure.
• 😀 Structural changes can be caused by factors like a change in government regime or economic system (e.g., capitalism to communism).
• 😀 Conjunctural changes often occur due to specific crises, such as economic downturns, natural disasters, or pandemics.
• 😀 Structural changes can alter social relationships and the interaction mechanisms within institutions, leading to broader societal transformations.
• 😀 Conjunctural changes are more frequent than structural changes and are usually the result of economic, social, or environmental factors.
• 😀 Examples of structural change include revolutions or shifts in political/economic systems, like the Industrial Revolution.
• 😀 Conjunctural changes, like economic crises or pandemics, disrupt normal social functioning but don't result in a fundamental restructuring of society.
• 😀 The process of structural change is often gradual but can be sudden and destabilizing when it occurs rapidly, as seen in technological revolutions.

Q & A

What is social change, as described in the script?

Social change refers to any modification in the structure or organization of society, which can occur gradually or suddenly, affecting the way people interact, institutions function, or society as a whole.

What are the two types of social change discussed in the video?

The two types of social change discussed are structural change and conjunctural change.

What is structural change, and how does it affect society?

Structural change refers to a fundamental transformation of society's organization, often modifying social relations and institutional mechanisms. This change can be radical, such as a change in government or economic system, and may sometimes put the society itself at risk.

Can you give an example of structural change mentioned in the video?

An example of structural change provided in the video is the shift from a capitalist economic system to a communist one, which would alter social interactions and institutional structures.

What do structural functionalists believe about social change?

Structural functionalists believe that social change is inherent in social systems, but it should occur gradually and in a stable manner to avoid destabilizing the structure.

What makes structural change risky, according to the video?

Structural change can be risky if it occurs suddenly and without proper planning, as it may lead to instability or even collapse of social institutions and relationships.

What is conjunctural change, and how does it differ from structural change?

Conjunctural change refers to adjustments in equilibrium within a society, often driven by temporary or external factors like economic crises. Unlike structural change, it doesn't significantly alter the overall structure of society.

How are economic crises an example of conjunctural change?

Economic crises are considered conjunctural changes because they disrupt the current balance, leading to issues like poverty, inflation, and unemployment, but they don't fundamentally change the social structure.

What are some other examples of conjunctural change, aside from economic crises?

Other examples of conjunctural change include natural disasters like droughts or plagues, migration events, or health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, all of which disrupt societal equilibrium without altering the overall structure.

Why does the video mention an 'alien planet' in relation to social change?

The video uses the concept of an 'alien planet' as a metaphor to highlight that understanding and adapting to social changes is critical for survival, much like navigating life on a foreign or unfamiliar planet.