FIFORD, R

36080918

Learning Activity 9

The relationship between society and the environment that surrounds it, is often neglected. In South Africa we have constituted four narratives in which depict the relationship between the environment and that of society. These being: the conservation, the economic, non-state anchors and local views. All four anchors each have their own motive as well as a distinct objective, hence the reason for their placement.

The conservation narrative is in place to ensure the conservation of the environment in which surrounds us. This is achieved by ensuring a limited number of people in who occupy a certain piece of land, as well as ensuring the health of that given environment. The problem however with conservation, is that pre-colonization, there had been a certain setup and structure established by the locals! The same people in whom developed the structure and system was seen as less by the colonizer and for this hindered the environmental structure.

The economic narrative is in place to perceive the environment as a commodity in which is in place to allow for buying and selling. The perspective here is that land needs to be developed to ensure a stable economy as well as to lift people out of poverty. The problem here comes in, where rich become richer and poor become poorer. Thus because individuals are exploiting big pieces of land for corporate growth and the growth of many individuals rather than that of the community.

Non-State anchors narrative is a narrative in which is pushed and addressed by groups in whom are independent from the government. That being academic institutions, NGO’S many others. This perspective transpires through neglecting the environment. Thus they put the needs of humans first before the environment, as if it is not living! This is the problem with Non-state anchors they somewhat neglect the environment around them.

Local community views are in fact quite complex, as it is perceptions of individuals in whom have experienced life in a completely different manner and in a completely different time. It has a lot to do with that of politics and power, which always needs to be questioned. The problem with this narrative is that if there is to much financial aid and support within these communities, it may lead to no change at all, as people then become complacent.

There are also two environmental discourses within the context of South Africa. Those namely being: Sustainable development and environmental + social justice. Sustainable development is the objective for every state. As every states first priority should be the citizens and there shelter thereof. Sustainability should be the end goal behind any initiative, especially in that of development. Social justice is critical, as it ensures that the resources being derived from the environment is being spread equally, to create social justice within the country. Environmental justice is just as critical, as this ensures that water and food in which is extracted from the local environment is spread equally amongst the community.

The Sustainable development links to the discourse within a South African context in a great manner. Thus because South Africa has a high level of poverty in which effects the lives of many! Thus to ensure sustainable development within South Africa is critical and in fact it is the only way forward!         

FIFORD, R

36080918

Learning Activity 8

• Discuss the concept of Participatory development approach and critique with an example from the SA context

The concept of Participatory development is to include all parties from all backgrounds into the development of a state. This is to enable communication between the community and stakeholders. According to Roberts,T (2017) “Participatory development seeks to give the poor a part in initiatives and projects that are designed by outside organizations in the hopes that these projects will be more sustainable and successful by involving local stakeholders in the projects goals.” In having said this each human longs to be a part of a system or structure within society! Thus if our state created initiatives in which enabled the poor to constitute themselves within a system it would create a lot more sustainability as well as self-reliance in and around the poor communities. An investment into education, training, healthcare and food aid could ensure sustainability in and around the poor communities around South Africa. In South Africa we have failed to include the whole community within development due to corruption. This is caused by individuals in whom do not want to enable much power unto the community. Thus because they want to remain in power and they do so by keeping the people uneducated.  

Referencing

Roberts, T., 2021. [online] Available at: <https://www.thegrassrootscollective.org/what-is-participatory-development> [Accessed 21 June 2021].

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Fiford, R

36080918

SOCY 211

Learning Activity 7

As society has progressed we have formulated and adapted that of new developmental theories which enable individuals in positions of power to implement and gain benefit there from. These theories of development focus primarily on that of the community and the people within the community. As society has progressed these theories of development focus primarily on just that of people. Within this learning activity we will assess that of the participatory development approach and critique it from a South African perspective.

The participatory approach to development focuses on people participating within the development of the country. This humanistic approach became more prevalent in the 1970’s. This approach focuses on sustainability in and around the community, it enables individuals to become self-reliant. Participatory development takes place often through the form of CSR initiative. That is corporate social responsibility. It is in place to ensure that the big corporates give back unto the community and ensure that it is a sustainable approach. Often the approach needs to create empowerment such as access to resources like water and electricity. It is also the increase of infrastructure.

A great example of participatory development in and around South Africa is seen through that of Sun International. (Take A girl-child to work day) It is an initiative that enables girl pupils from disadvantage backgrounds to engage in and around the business world. This in turn creates an intrinsic and extrinsic motivation for young girls to aspire to reach great heights in the business world.

Ryan Fiford

36080918

SOCY 211

Learning Activity 6

Every country has ambition of growing from all aspects to ensure an optimal standard of living for all the citizens in whom occupy the land. Often development is accelerated through the use of “modernization” which is when a country develops from underdeveloped to develop through the use of technology. However the “dependency theory” rebuttals modernization by saying that countries fail to modernize themselves as they lack the values a first world country has. Within this learning activity we will compare and contrast the differences between modernization and the dependency theory. 

The contrast between both theories

Modernization – As previously mentioned, is a country in whom develops in a technological manner which enables them to develop their economy. It is said through this process that a country “evolves.”

Dependency Theory – Stipulates that developed countries have developed at the expense of undeveloped countries. This is seen to be true with colonization’s in Africa.

Modernization – Developed Countries believe that in order for a underdeveloped country to develop technologically. They need to let go of traditional culture and values to ensure growth.

Dependency theory – Stipulates that countries can’t turn to modernization alone or by letting go of traditional values. In order for a country to develop it requires that economies to work together to ensure growth amongst each other.

Modernization – Believes that countries in whom are underdeveloped, have failed to do so on their own accord. As well as they believe that the failure is internal and that these countries have failed to acquire first world mannerisms.

Dependency Theory – Believes that underdeveloped countries are underdeveloped because the first world countries have neglected to help them. These first world countries have grown themselves at the expense of the developing country.

Ryan  Fiford

36080918

Learning Activity 5

SOCY 211

All governments aspire to bring growth and change within the country they occupy. Development is dependent on a numerous amount of factors. However within this learning activity we will assess 4 aspects the constitute development.

The first one in which is going to be assessed is that of “growth and structural change” Any development requires that of growth, as well as an increase of infrastructure to accommodate more relevant activities in this industrial age. Developing countries such as South Africa, which are considered to be third world countries focus primarily on primary activities such as fishing, agriculture and forestry to name a few. We have seen structural change in these primary activities over the years, however it has come at the expense of our infrastructure in the tertiary sector.

The next aspect which constitutes growth is that of “Distribution of income.” It is critical that citizens around the country receive a similar distribution of wealth. This is usually seen in a first world country where tax payer’s money is used to benefit the citizens and the infrastructure thereof. However in South Africa large amounts of money are being pilfered daily by our politicians leaving the distribution of income extremely uneven, with their being extremely rich and extremely poor.

The next aspect is that of “Modernization.” It is critical for a country to remain relevant with their current technologies. Thus because the world is propelling in a direction of a technological age. South Africa however has struggled with modernization for years and for this we remain a third country and fairly undeveloped technologically.

The fourth and final aspect in which will be assessed is that of “rural to urban migration.” This is pinnacle as it ensures that there is growth and development transpiring when people who were once poor are now breaking out of the cycle and generating riches for future generations. However in South Africa, we have seen a recline rather than incline. Thus more people have moved out of urban areas as they do not have the financial capacity to live there.     

R. Fiford 

36080918

Learning Activity 4

SOCY 211 

Definition of poverty 

Individuals, Families, and communities in whom are denied access to basic goods such as water and food as well as basic standards of living like electricity, running water and transport, are denied basic quality's of life which are considered to be needs.

R. Fiford

STUDENT NO: 36080918

SOCY 211

Learning Activity 3

What are the benefits of poverty for the individual and the community?

Well, the truth is that there is more negatives than positives when it comes to the assessment of poverty from a financial, physical and environmental perspective. However, there is benefits that are found within the constraints of poverty for the individual as well as the community. That is what will be discussed in this learning activity. The benefits of poverty on the individual and the community!

To start the first benefit of poverty is that of assistance. The mere fact that poverty is considered to be an individual in whom is living below the normal standard of living. Allows for companies to intervene and assist the individuals in whom are considered to be impoverished and in turn from this positive action the company is rewarded in some manner or another of return. Poverty also allows for companies in whom are just starting out that are considered to be labour intensive to have access to individuals in whom are more than willing to complete the task at hand due to a lack of earning.

The next benefit is that of government assistance. The government contains the authority to how many people are impoverished or not. It also allows for tax payers money to be distributed equally amongst the impoverished creating a balanced and well serving economy. This in turn offers great returns for investors and creates a positive persona amongst the international market.

From an environmental perspective, poverty ensures effective and efficient recycling amongst the community. This is created due to the mere fact that the individuals in whom lack a income are prepared to complete the work that is often undermined amongst the community.

Sociology Learning activity 2

SOCY 211

R. FIFORD

STUDENT NO: 36080918

Within this learning activity we are going to compare and contrast the structural functionalist orientation as well as the symbolic interactionist orientation to that of social problems. The first one in which is going to be assessed is that of the structural functionalist orientation which operates within the constraints of that society is a system of interrelated parts in a dynamic equilibrium, this is to say that if one-part changes to fast within that equilibrium it disrupts the entire system. Thus, adjusting to a social problem in itself create disruption to the equilibrium. Social stability is a necessity in achieving a strong society. Social stability however is sourced from positive interactions between individuals within the constraints of society which enables stability amongst society as a whole. Social problems oppose an issue to this theoretical approach as social problems have an attribute that weaken society’s stability and this as previously mentioned in turn affects the whole equilibrium. The next theoretical approach in which is going to be assessed is that the symbolic interactionist orientation which is where people construct their roles as they interact, they do not merely learn the roles that society has set out for them. Thus, the way in which an individual may approach a social problem will in turn depict the outcome of the problem. The interaction that occurs within the constraints of this orientation socially construct the reality of an individual’s situation. Thus, social problems arise through the interaction of individuals. An interaction between two or more may either end in either a positive or negative manner it is all dependent on the attitude exerted between the current parties at hand.