Annual Editions Social Problems 03/04

UNIT 1. Introduction: The Nature of Social Problems and General Critiques of American Society 1. Social Problems: Definitions, Theories, and Analysis, Harold A. Widdison and H. Richard Delaney, McGraw-Hill/Dushkin , 1995 This essay, written specifically for this volume, explores the complexities associated with defining, studying, and attempting to resolve "social" problems. The three major theoretical approaches symbolic interactionism, functionalism, and conflict are summarized. 2. The Fragmentation of Social Life, D. Stanley Eitzen, Vital Speeches of the Day , July 1, 2000 In this essay about America, Stanley Eitzen addresses a crucial problem: the fragmentation of social life. He suggests that America could come apart in the future if this fragmentation continues. Eitzen discusses excessive individualism, heightened personal isolation, increasing inequality, and the deepening racial/ethnic/religious/sexuality divide. 3. How to Re-Moralize America, Francis Fukuyama, The Wilson Quarterly , Summer 1999 Recently, many of the indicators of moral decline have started to show improvement. Francis Fukuyama reports the changes and accepts the challenge of explaining how moral regeneration occurs generally and what caused the moral regeneration in the 1990s. In the process he explores the basic sociological questions: What are the sources of value systems? How do they arise and change? In his search for an answer, he leads the reader through a sociological detective story. UNIT 2. Problems of the Political Economy Part A. The Polity 4. Who Rules America?, G. William Domhoff, from Who Rules America? Power and Politics in the Year 2000 , Mayfield Publishing Company, 1997 G. William Domhoff is the leading proponent of the power elite view of American politics as it applies to political influence in America today. 5. Setting Right a Dangerous World, John Lewis Gaddis, The Chronicle of Higher Education , January 11, 2002 The author argues that since September 11, 2001, America has the job of "setting right a dangerous world," and this requires much more than a strong military. It requires great diplomacy and new policies. Part B. The Economy 6. The End of Globalization?, Michael Shuman, Utne Reader , July/August 2002 Michael Shuman argues that globalization does not mean that corporations must become giants. "Many companies are finding it makes more economic sense to get smaller, not larger," says Shuman, and he explains why. 7. In Corporate America, It's Cleanup Time, Jerry Useem, Fortune , September 16, 2002 Jerry Useem reports on the widespread self-reform occurring in corporate America. Even honest corporations are instituting numerous changes to avoid all appearances of impropriety and to persuade investors that their reports can be trusted. Most businesses are moving out ahead of the government reform regulations curve. 8. The Tort Mess, Michael Freedman, Forbes , May 13, 2002 According to Michael Freedman, " out-of-control lawsuits are shutting down medical practices, killing businesses, and costing the economy $200 billion a year." Part C. Problems of Place 9. A Broken HearFinsterbusch, Kurt is the author of 'Annual Editions Social Problems 03/04', published 2003 under ISBN 9780072838695 and ISBN 0072838698.