Concept Of Game Theory example essay topic

Social Theory Group Project: Activism While researching this topic, I wanted to include at least one theory as how activism should be conducted as well as the concepts underlying activism itself. With this in mind, I would like to start with Mohandas K. Gandhi. In India's struggle for home rule, Gandhi utilized the concept of Satyagraha (ST p. 261). This means to use truth and love to fight violence, and still not be passive. Throughout the film Gandhi, one sees how he would peacefully, yet forcefully not submit to unjust laws and decrees from the British government. According to the textbook, Gandhi differentiated between hisma and ahisma.

Gandhi states that hisma is the natural outward expression of violence (ST p. 262). Society and our very existence can only function on this expression. Ahisma is the spiritual choice to use self restrain and compassion to limit this violence (ST p. 262). Gandhi believed that ahisma combined with Satyagraha is the only way to commit to social resistance.

This concept of active yet peaceful protest would later act as inspiration for the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr's civil rights movement (ST p. 343). Mao Tse Tung also had his theory on social change. He believed that social change can not exist without what he calls identity of contradictions (ST p. 264). In order for a group to seek change, it must have an identity that is opposed to another group. Without this opposition, Mao believes that no identity can exist, and thus no possibility for social change. One of his examples is the difference between land owning bourgeois and the landless peasants who work that land.

In order that for peasants to seek change, they must have this identity of contradiction between themselves and the bourgeois that own the land. In addition to this identity Mao states that all opposites tend to seek change. They tend to transform themselves into each other. This seems to be a valid statement as the natural laws seem to follow suit.

All systems in nature are in a constant state of flux, working towards a state of equilibrium. This tendency leads to a functionalism point of view. In the theory of Functionalism, a major belief is that society seeks a state of equilibrium (CST p. 18). This usually seems to be the case behind activism for human rights. The minority involved seeks equal treatment as is given to the majority in such situations. The current gay rights movement is a great example.

We are demanding equal treatment in our legal rights as are given to the heterosexual majority. According to Emile Durkheim, such surges of social change occur because of collective conscience (CST p. 21). Durkheim defines social conscience as. ".. the totality of beliefs and sentiments common to average citizens of the same society... ".

(CST p. 21). When a critical mass of people with this collective conscience defines a problem then the time is ripe for activism to occur. Lastly is the concept of game theory. Those who use this concept see actors of social games as having to define a public good. This good must have sufficient value as to warrant the actors involvement and cooperation.

To no surprise, in most games cooperation seems to play a major role, however, this is not always so. The game called the privileged game or "spite" can sometimes create conflict between those involved (Heckathorn p. 7). This conflict makes those playing the game want to minimize the other player's payoff (Heckathorn p. 7).