On Mon, 1 Dec 2003, Michael Dawson -PSU wrote:
> Chomsky argues, rightly I think, that understanding what we care about in
> society is not nearly as complex as understanding what we care about in the
> physical sciences. It's all about power structures, and those aren't really
> super-complicated. Chomsky argues that knowing social theory, for instance,
> is necessary but way over-rated. The task is to explain how elites organize
> themselves to threaten, cajole, entice, and trick commoners. If we can fix
> that problem, we will have solved the cardinal social issue.
Hey, I agree that what Justin calls "vulgar Marxism" accounts for about 90% of what's going on in our society. However, there is more to social structure than how the elite arrange things to benefit themselves at the expense of the working people, and these other aspects of society should be analyzed and understood as well.
From the perspective of an activist, yes, I understand your point.
However, as a social scientist, I say, let a hundred flowers bloom! Who knows what diligent social researchers and theorists may discover in the future using methods and theories you and I cannot yet understand?
Miles