Suchergebnisse

The modern liberal is still inclined to inquire into the moral and ethical stature of nations in the manner of the eighteenth-century social critic who presupposed the rationalism of individuals and the progress of society. Such questions do not have much meaning in the relativized world of contemporary man. America's standing among the nations of the world is an endlessly varied equation determined by time, accident, and circumstance, but, in the long run, most affected by her standing as the foremost national power with the most highly developed scientific-technical plant in the world. Nationalism is the primary source of the internal and external problems of contemporary societies and is fraught with great risks when scientific-technical competition occurs in its framework. America tends always to act to preserve the international status quo, a tendency which is not only futile in the long run, but which also tends to prevent the development of a world community and the reconstruction of local society which could turn scientific-technical developments to positive account.

The modern liberal is still inclined to inquire into the moral & ethical stature of nations in the manner of the 18thcent soc critic who presupposed the rationalism of individuals & the progress of society. Such questions do not have much meaning in the relativized world of contemporary man. America's standing among the nations of the world is an endlessly varied equation determined b,y time, accident, & eireunnstance, but, in the long run, most affected by her standing as the foremost nat'l power with the most highly developed sci'fic-technical plant in the world. Nat'lism is the primary source of the internal & external problems of contemporary societies & is fraught with great risks when sci'fic-technical competition occurs in its framework. America tends always to act to preserve the internat'l status quo, a tendency which is not only futile in the long run, but which also tends to prevent the development of a world community & the reconstruction of local society which could turn sci'fic-technical developments to positive account. HA.

Throughout America's historical development to the 1930's, Americans were repeatedly characterized as outgoing, optimistic, and self-confident. The Great Depression brought a dependence on the collective which modified these qualities. Despite the affluence of the postwar period, there has been no return to the old type of individualism. Timidity, conformity, and uncertainty as to personal identity have characterized increasing numbers of Americans in the post-depression era. The crisis in the self-concept of Americans is traced to various structural changes dramatized by the crisis of the 1930's and associated with the rise of the mass society: the destruction of local autonomy; the rise of mass industry; the changed position of youth; and the role of the individual in large-scale organizations.

Throughout the historical development of the US to the 1930's, Amer's were repeatedly characterized as out-going, optimistic, & self-confident. The Great Depression brought a dependence on the collective which modified these qualities. Despite the affluence of the postwar period, there has been no return to the old type of individualism. Timidity, conformity, & uncertainty as to personal identity have characterized increasing N's of Amer's in the post-depression era. This crisis in the self-concept of Amer's is traced to various structural changes dramatized by the crisis of the 1930's & associated with the rise of the mass society: the destruction of local autonomy; the rise of mass industry; the changed position of youth; & the role of the individual in large-scale org's. HA.

When pluralities interact in national collectivities they develop common suppositions, pursue conjoint objectives, and measure performance against similar ideas: they form, in short, national characters. Interest in national character de veloped among Enlightenment thinkers prior to the great na tional revolutions. Montesquieu even speculated about the role of various physical and social factors in their formation. Following the national revolutions, national character acquired metaphysical status. It was used to promote nationalism in areas still largely outside the emerging complex and to consoli date and buttress the national communities already formed. Conceived as the inherent spirit or genius of a people, national character was often speculated to be biological in origin and conceived as the primary agency of historical change as in Hegel's theory of social-historical development. Despite soci ology's origin as a collectivistic social philosophy, its founders were too concerned with progress and the regeneration of hu manity to pay much attention to national character. Later schools, particularly conflict theory and social behaviorism, proved more receptive to the idea. Since national character refers to properties that pluralities display in national com munities, the sociology of national character has potential sig nificance for anyone dealing with the conflict situations of our age: national uprisings, the formation of international blocs, and cold and hot wars in which nation-states are the ultimate antagonists.

When pluralities interact in nat'l collectivities they develop common suppositions, pursue conjoint objectives, & measure performance against similar ideas: they form, in short, nat'l characters (NC's). Interest in NC developed among Enlightenment thinkers prior to the great nat'l revolutions. C. S. Montesquieu even speculated about the role of various physical & soc factors in their formation. Following the nat'l revolutions, NC acquired metaphysical status. It was used to promote nat'lism in areas still largely outside the emerging complex & to consolidate & buttress the nat'l communities already formed. Conceived as the inherent spirit or genius of a people, NC was often speculated to be biological in origin & conceived as the primary agency of historical change as in F. Hegel's theory of soc-historical development. Despite sociol's origin as a collectivistic soc philosophy, its founders were too concerned with progress & the regeneration of humanity to pay much attention to NC. Later Sch's, esp conflict theory & soc behaviorism, proved more receptive to the idea. Since NC refers to properties that pluralities display in nat'l communities, the sociol of NC has potential signif for anyone dealing with conflict situations of our age: nat'l uprisings, the formation of internat'1 blocs, & cold & hot wars in which nation-states are the ultimate antagonists. HA.

Contents are grouped under the headings: Theory and method; The New World; Europe; The Near and Far East.