What is radical sociology?

Question

We're gonna have a presentation about this topic. Please help me!

Answer 1

Here is a good link: http://comm-org.wisc.edu/si/fuller.htm

My understanding is that it derives from a Marxist perspective, in that it subscribes to dialectical materialism (i.e. the material world, namely the economy, affects society more than things such as ideology or culture). Also, more importantly, it subscribes to the idea that sociologists should play a role in fostering social change... which they typically do by being activists, heading "radical" organizations (such as Stop Our States), or bringing to light injustices committed by things that most take for granted to be just.

It should be known that there is a difference between what a radical actually is and what the word "radical" is used for in the general discourse. For instance, in the popular discourse, identifying someone as "radical" tends to imply that they are simply extreme in their beliefs and is usually thrown around in order to undermine their legitimacy (for instance, Bill O'Reilly frequently accuses the Democrats of being the radical left, when in reality they are center to left of center... not radical in the least bit). Radicals have a separate ideology removed from the right/left dichotomy and usually willingly identify as radicals.