Social Progress and Social Problems

Toward a Sociology of Gloom

Dados Bibliográficos

ID2276989
AutoresJoel Best (0000-0002-8943-5427, University of Delaware, autor correspondente)
Ano2001
Volume42
Fascículo1
Páginas1-12
Data de publicação2001-01-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoSociological Quarterly (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0038-0253 • E-ISSN: 1533-8525
EditoraInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1525/tsq.2001.42.1.1
OpenAlexW4234492568
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas21
Referências citadas21

Although significant social progress characterized the twentieth century, sociologists usually avoid acknowledging progress for fear of encouraging complacency about social problems. In four paradoxical ways, progress raises concern about social problems. The paradox of perfectionism is that optimistic beliefs in social perfectability highlight failures to achieve perfection and thereby foster pessimism. The paradox of proportion is that reducing large problems makes smaller problems seem relatively larger. The paradox of proliferation is that social progress encourages recognition of a larger number of problems. Finally, the paradox of paranoia is that progress fosters fears of social collapse. Sociologists need to consider the consequences of downplaying progress

Economics · Epistemology · Gloom · Paranoia · Pessimism · Political science · Positive economics · Social change · Social issues · Social science · Sociology · Housing, Finance, and Neoliberalism · Income, Poverty, and Inequality · Intergenerational and Educational Inequality Studies · Law · Philosophy · Political Economy and Marxism · Psychology · Social Policy and Reform Studies · Social Psychology · Sociology and Norbert Elias