Social Problems as Collective Behavior

1971/01/01 by Herbert Blumer · 9 citations
Social Sciences · #Contemporary Sociological Theory and Practice #Political Conflict and Governance

paper · pdf · doi:10.2307/799797

Abstract

Sociologists have erred in locating social problems in objective conditions. Instead, social problems have their being in a process of collective definition. This process determines whether social problems will arise, whether they become legitimated, how they are shaped in discussion, how they come to be addressed in official policy, and how they, are reconstituted in putting planned action into effect. Sociological theory and study must respect this process.

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