The Dynamics of Social Change and Discontinuity

Abstract

For specific groups and individuals, as our framework suggests, to be located in society involves having a social position at the intersection point of a variety of social forces. Individuals move within clearly defined systems of power, and the definition of the situation constitutes the set of rules to be obeyed or challenged by the individual. The social situation is defined by participating groups, and social conflict arises when definitions of the situation conflict. The process of change can then be understood as a process in which individuals and groups seek to change their social position by redefining their situation, involving a reallocation of resources towards new goals and a change in the balance of power. The resulting strains and tensions from attempts at redefinition may give rise to regressive development, breakdown of the institutional order, or the transformation of the social order towards alternative values and goals. The potential transformation of the social systems towards one of the proposed alternatives will depend on this process of redefining situations between power groups.