Agency Within sociology, self-
determination or free will.
Alienation As identified by Karl
Marx, the condition of workers who
feel estranged from themselves
or society due to a lack of power,
control, fulfillment, and satisfaction.
Marx attributed this to capitalist
society, where the means of
production are privately owned.
The concept has been developed
since the post-war era by various
thinkers, including Robert Blauner.
Anomie A state of confusion or
“normlessness” resulting from rapid
social change. When the social
norms and values governing daily
conduct change suddenly, people
are liable to feel disorientated and
purposeless until a social order is
re-established. See also deviant.
Bourgeoisie In Marxist theory
(see Marxism), the social class
of people that owns the industrial
means of production.
Bureaucracy Defined by Max
Weber as a system of organization
that is characterized by a hierarchy
of rule-bound officials who keep
detailed records of every action.
Capital Financial assets (such as
machinery) or the value of financial
assets (cash) used to produce an
income. One of the key ingredients
of economic activity, along with
land, labor, and enterprise.
Capitalism An economic system
based on the private ownership
of property and the means of
production, in which firms
compete to sell goods at a profit
and workers labor for a wage.Capitalists The social class of
people that owns the means of
production in industrial societies.Chicago School Not to be
confused with a free-market
economic way of thinking, this
sociological school of thought
developed in the 1920s and 30s.
Although its interests were
eclectic, it is often identified with
the origin of urban sociology.Class conflict The tension that
can arise between different social
classes as a result of competing
socioeconomic interests.Colonialism A phenomenon
whereby one country exerts control
over another, often exploiting it
economically. The term commonly
refers to the conquest, settlement,
and exploitation of parts of the
world by European powers.Communism An economic
system based on collective
ownership of property and the
means of production.Construct, social A concept or
perception created in society.Consumer An individual who
buys goods or services for personal
use or consumption.Consumerism The state of an
advanced capitalist society in
which the buying and selling ofvarious goods and services define
the era. The term also refers to a
perception that individuals desire
goods to construct self-identity.Conspicuous consumption A
concept originated by Thorstein
Veblen that describes members of
a wealthy leisure class using luxury
goods to display their status. See
also material culture.Culture The languages, customs,
knowledge, beliefs, values, and
norms that combine to make up
the way of life of any society. May
also refer to the arts (such as music,
theatre, literature, and so on).Delinquency Minor crime
committed by a young person;
the term can also describe behavior
judged “unacceptable,” according
to a society’s norms.Determinism The belief that a
person’s behavior is determined by
some form of external force
(such as God, genetics, or the
environment) so that genuinely
free choice is not possible. See also
economic determinism.Deviant A behavior or type of
person deemed “rule-breaking” in
terms of the norms of a particular
society or social group.Discourse In general use,
communication in speech or
writing; in sociological use, a
framework or system of ideas that
provides a perspective on life and
governs the way in which it can
be discussed. Discourse impartsGLOSSARY
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