Sunday, February 1, 2009

Durkheim 2008/Obama : Collective Effervescence, Individuality, and cycles.

Collective Effervescence, Individuality, and cycles.

While reading and thinking about Durkheim, and his views on what he calls Collective Effervescence, I was thinking about how you could use this theory and apply it to the 2008 election with Barack Obama.  


 This theory states that society can have great moments in history where we can have a collective exaltation which can have a great change in our society. This is sorta arguing that Obama has been exalted to God Status(be careful not to get to literal). But, while that sounds ridiculous, just look at the Obamania and the Obama obsessed media. Also, if you think about the fact that there are Americans that don't believe in god(like Myself) then this accounts for the Obama detractors. Although I do support Obama, I don't worship him and neither does the Obama manics, I was just exaggerating.

Now Individualism...

Individualism is a byproduct of society, because without knowing of society, then the individual does not know he is an individual, you must have other individuals to compare too and relate to in order to understand and appreciate your own individuality. 

And Individuality is also formed by using others as your examples of what not to do and what to do, which creates a unique person because each situation in which you see or use an individual to express your own self is unique and different. And because other people are using you for their examples then you can say that no one individual can create, control, or even greatly influence society. Look at a transcendental person like Obama. He may be able to sway millions, but remember that those millions were not swayed by him as much as the millions that Obama was influenced by in his life. Society is in fact a great circle that continuously feeds off itself and renews itself.  

1 comment:

  1. hey,! good paper,
    im a mature student of sociologist at carleton university, i grew up in Chile, and then moved to Italiy, I had many experiences around the world. I do remember your town from the movie footlose! he.h.e , it was filmed in your town.

    well, I found your thought very interensting, but now, im urged by write an essay about obama anf durkheim based on social facts associated to first presidential speech...

    words associated to the paper, solidarity, social facts, individual, solidarity.

    if you have any imput, great.. if not, great too
    good article. you have potential.

    Ignacio Fernandez
    Carleton University,
    ignacioofernandez@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete