Sociologists as an Interest Group

Abstract

Over the last two decades, American society has changed in ways that significantly alter our relationship, as sociologists, to it. I want in these remarks, first, to depict these changes—the coming of something approaching “the interest-group society”—and, second, to point up the new measure of social value that accompanies it. Like it or not, sociologists must develop some sort of posture toward this new interest group context and its emerging measure of value. As my third task, therefore, I want to outline the three main postural possibilities: Continuation of the relatively passive status quo; rejection of politics altogether; and, a more assertive interest-group program. In the spirit of exploration rather than advocacy, I shall, fourth, detail some of the things a more assertive posture might mean and require. It is, however, one thing to list aspects of hypothetical programs; it is quite another to mobilize resources for them. Further exploring, I shall, fifth, consider some of the major facilitants and inhibitants of any important upgradings in our collective posture. Finally, I will offer some personal reflections on all this.