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# Sociology Daily Answer Writing (02-11-2022)
- URL: https://www.upscprep.com/sociology-daily-answer-writing-02-11-2022/
- Published: 2022-11-02T01:13:56.000Z
- Updated: 2022-11-02T01:13:56.000Z
- Author: UPSCprep.com
- Tags: Socio Daily Writing

### Questions

1. Compare and contrast constant sum and variable sum theories of power. 20
2. Compare the social organisation of work in slave and feudal societies. 10

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### Model Solutions

**1\. Compare and contrast constant sum and variable sum theories of power. 20**

**Model Framework** 
**Introduction:**

- Define Power: Power is the ability of an individual, group, or institution to influence or exercise control over other people and achieve their goals despite possible opposition or resistance.

**Main Body**

- Constant sum theory of power:  
  - First systematic attempt to explain power was made by Max Weber who defined power as the chance of a man or a number of men to realize their own will, even against the resistance of others who are participating in the action.  
    - This is called the Zero-Sum concept of power or constant sum concept of power.
  - One group has power, by denying power to others.
  - Basis of power according to Weber is party.
  - Power holders will hold power to further their own interest.
  - Contradicting to Karl Marx, Weber says that instead of studying class power one has to study class and power that represents two-dimensional stratification systems.
  - Class power means the capacity of class to mobilize wealth while party is an organization to mobilize political power but both party and class can influence each other.
- Variable sum theory of power:  
  - Parsons rejects the constant sum concept of power and the view that power is employed in the furtherance of sectional interest.  
    - He regards power as something possessed by the society as a whole. Power is the generalized facility or the resource in the society.
  - It is the capacity to mobilize resources of the society, for the attainment of goals on which a general public commitment has been made.
  - This view is called variable sum power since power in society is not seen as fixed or constant.
  - Parsons begins with the assumption that value consensus is essential for the survival of the social system.
  - From shared values, collective goals are derived. Since goals are shared by all members of the society power will generally be used in the furtherance of collective goals.
  - Exercise of Power means everybody wins and this forms the basis of cooperation and reciprocity which is essential for the maintenance and wellbeing of the society.
  - However, Parsons is criticized for he failed to appreciate that power is frequently used to further sectional interest rather than to the benefit of society as a whole

**Conclusion:**

- Finally conclude by saying that classical theories of power contributed to sociological understanding of Power

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**2\. Compare the social organisation of work in slave and feudal societies. 10**

**Model Framework** 
**Introduction**

- Define Social Organisation of work: Patterning of economic activities which reflect the normative structure of society in the form of stratification, power relations, social mobility, DoL, etc.

**Main Body**

- Feudal system - a political arrangement in which kings and feuds were in agreement. For land and its control, feuds support the king.
- Replaces slave system of work
- Feudal vs slave  
  - Labour: Not owned vs Owned by owner
  - Stratification: Feudal, serfs, clergy etc. Vs slave-owner
  - Activities of Production: Agriculture vs Hunting-gathering
  - Source of Power: Land vs. Slave ownership
  - Economic exchange system: barter system vs Community exchange
  - Labour rights: marginal vs none
  - Wages: mostly kind, bit cash vs Almost none
  - Relation: Patron and dependency vs owning the slave thus total surrender.
  - Significance of religion: more in feudal as it worked as an instrument of ruling class ideology. (Advanced vs. Primitive)
  - Social mobility: relatively high in feudal society (almost zero mobility in slave society)
  - In both, mostly informal types of organization. Yet more rights in the feudal MoP than slave society.

**Conclusion**

- From feudalism it usually transformed into capitalist mode of production. In any economies, all these MOPs present in one or other form

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