The social Theory of Georg Simmel

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Monograph

Identifikator:: 1024612627

URN:: urn:nbn:de:zbw-retromon-166627

Document type:: Monograph

Author:: Spykman, Nicholas J. http://d-nb.info/gnd/124229867

Title:: The social Theory of Georg Simmel

Place of publication:: Chicago

Publisher:: Univ. of Chicago Press.

Year of publication:: 1925

Scope:: XXIX, 297 S

Digitisation:: 2022

Collection:: Economics Books

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108 THE SOCIAL THEORY OF GEORG SIMMEL the structure allows at the same time for the passage of pressure from above downward, it means that the lower circles will have to bear the whole brunt of any additional pressure exerted anywhere along the line. Any additional burdens and duties laid on the higher circles will then sim- ply be passed on downward until they have been com- pletely transferred to the lowest circle. Another situation arises if the middle circles offer resistance to the passage of pressure and completely sever the highest circle from the lowest. In that case the isolating layer may in some circumstances harm not only the lowest level, but also the highest, while in different circumstances it may act as a shockbreaker and a protection to both.! Superiority and Subordination in Their Psychological and Sociological Aspects The quantity of superiority or subordination that ex- ists within a group gives a distinct character to the group as a whole. Societies which contain a great number of su- perior-inferior relations, either in the form of a sociological pyramid or in the form of parallel and co-ordinated rela- tionships, appear to have the general characteristics of subordinate groups. The predominance of subordination imposes its character on the group as a whole. This is, for instance, the case in bureaucratic states. That a society as a whole bears the characteristics of a ruling group occurs only in rare instances. It is possible only if the quality of superiority which elements possess in relation to other elements comes to be conceived of as ex- isting independently of that interrelation. That one is a ruler presupposes a subject. But this logical requirement can sometimes be dispensed with. A man may be a ruler independently of the fact whether he rules or not, if he has lL Soz.. pp. 177-86.

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