A discussion on why society continues to repeat what others have said and done, based on the sociological theories of Weber.
The paper uses the “in” group at schools to explain status, bureaucracy, social groups, parties, communities, leaders of status groups, power in people, importance of being able to adapt and accommodate, lifestyles of status groups, and charismatic leadership. The paper explains Weber’s beliefs by using the in group as an example. The paper clearly shows how men continue to repeat what others have done in the past, present, and future and this can be seen in almost any class, status group, or community.
Action is social only when it can be applied to personal and characteristic meaning of the individual involved. Weber stated that it must be accountable to the behaviors of others and guides them. Certainly, not all actions are social because they do not come from behavior of others. People can repeat what others do and still not be social. If I do what you do because it’s fashionable, or traditional, or leads to social distinction, its meaningful” (Weber 1). For instance, if I dress the way I do because all women wear the same clothes and it is expected, then this is social. If I dress the way I do because I like what I wear, and not because others so, then it is not social. If the social action can stem from the past, present, or future depending upon the individuals involved. People repeat what others have said and done because it is expected from members of the social world. Often these individuals are afraid not to state what others have said in the past because they feel that others will reject them if they do not hold similar beliefs about different subjects.”