In “The Promise”, Mills explains “sociological imagination” as the ability to see your place within the world both on a micro and macro level. He goes on to explain that this ability can be split into two categories-- personal trouble, which is your immediate relations with others that you generally have “control” over and public issue which is institutional forces that you generally have little “control” over. About two weeks ago, the DREAM relief took place in Chicago where many undocumented individuals were able to apply to live and work legally in the U.S. for two years. In a “sociological imagination” perspective, a DREAMer can relate to it on a micro AND macro level. In personal trouble, a DREAMer can have control over how to go about living in the U.S. as an undocumented individual while still maintaining a low profile. In public issue, it is out of his/her control any actions that are taken upon him/her if he/she were in any altercation or situation that involves the police--that can eventually lead to deportation. It is out of their control on their status on financial stability. Some of them were brought here illegally when they were only months old and that was out of their control because they had no say so when that action was taken.
This can also tie into Allan’s perception of “modernity” which he defines as “change from traditional ways of doing things.” Industrialization and urbanization kicked off sociology which eventually led to new rules, new problems, diseases, crimes, etc. The rapid influx of immigrants into the United States bring about new problems, new rules, crimes, diseases, etc. as well which connect to “modernity”. The influx of immigrants leads to several traditions being broken and new ideas and ways of living. For example, how to control the rapid influx of immigrants, how to control who comes in and out of the country and have more enforcements. What Allen fails to mention is the resistance of “modernity”. Tradition is a very strong component of different cultures and societies and those who are accustomed to tradition find it very hard to stray away from it. Many issues can fall into tradition. For example the traditional way of thinking of man and women marriages. Anything straying away from that tradition is very hard to accept in traditional societies. He also explains the function of theory and how it explains how things work. Theory may explain how things work but then again, are these explanations “traditional” ways of things working or a more modern concept?
Lemert explains what there are limitations and assumptions to all theories. Like Allen’s perception of “modernity” and how he fails to further explain the resistance of it. It is important to understand that all theories have limitations and assumptions because all theories cannot be understood at its entirety. This allows space for the reader to include their own theories and therefore build off of other theories to make connections to real life situations.
This can also tie into Allan’s perception of “modernity” which he defines as “change from traditional ways of doing things.” Industrialization and urbanization kicked off sociology which eventually led to new rules, new problems, diseases, crimes, etc. The rapid influx of immigrants into the United States bring about new problems, new rules, crimes, diseases, etc. as well which connect to “modernity”. The influx of immigrants leads to several traditions being broken and new ideas and ways of living. For example, how to control the rapid influx of immigrants, how to control who comes in and out of the country and have more enforcements. What Allen fails to mention is the resistance of “modernity”. Tradition is a very strong component of different cultures and societies and those who are accustomed to tradition find it very hard to stray away from it. Many issues can fall into tradition. For example the traditional way of thinking of man and women marriages. Anything straying away from that tradition is very hard to accept in traditional societies. He also explains the function of theory and how it explains how things work. Theory may explain how things work but then again, are these explanations “traditional” ways of things working or a more modern concept?
Lemert explains what there are limitations and assumptions to all theories. Like Allen’s perception of “modernity” and how he fails to further explain the resistance of it. It is important to understand that all theories have limitations and assumptions because all theories cannot be understood at its entirety. This allows space for the reader to include their own theories and therefore build off of other theories to make connections to real life situations.