Massasamelewing: Teorie en Perspektief

Abstract

MASS SOCIETY: THEORY AND PERSPECTIVE: The various descriptions of the term “mass society” can be summarised into two categories: (i) descriptions of a vague and comprehensive nature which include nearly all contemporary industrial societies, and (ii) more specific descriptions which in certain cases tend to be divergent and even adversative. The usages of the term inevitably lead to the quest for consensus regarding the meaning of the term, and bearing in mind the fact that this term is sometimes used in a "theoretical framework" in spite of its seemingly ambiguity, the question may be asked whether it is scientifically justified to speak of a theory of mass society. The comprehensiveness of the term, as it is sometimes used, causes the reader to interpret it as a perspective rather than a theory. With a significant analysis of different types of societies and a clearly formulated definition of mass society in which the emphasis is placed upon the accessability of elites and availability of nonelites, Kornhauser succeeds in distinguishing mass society from other types. By abstracting this corresponding aspect and describing the manner in which it is manifested in different types of societies he comes to the conclusion that there is in. fact a theory of mass society. A typology of societal types and the characteristics of each in terms of the condition of elites and non-elites, the social autonomy of each and the typical social movement in every type is constructed as a summary of Kornhauser's conception.