SSF2034 Social Theory EBook

SSF2034
SOCIAL THEORY

GROUP 10

GROUP

Muhammad Hadi Bin Selamat
(75868)

Muhammad Izzuddin Bin Abdul
Aziz (75890)

Muhammad Arsad Bin Isnar
(75834)

Muh Nur Hafis Bin Muhammad
(75787)

Muhammad Fairuz Bin Shaharizal
(6860)

"Alone we can do so little,
together we can do so much."

Helen Keller

01 CONFLICT THEORY

ETHNIC DISCRIMINATION
CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM

02 ENLIGHTENMENT THEORY

PRESS ISSUES AND GOVERNMENT RESTRICTIONS
THE ISSUE OF EDUCATIONAL RESTRICTIONS FOR
NON-CITIZENS

03 POSITIVISM THEORY

STREOTYPE BELIEFS

TABLE OF
CONTENTS.

Source : google image

CONFLICT THEORY : ETHNIC DISCRIMINATION

To explain the ethnic discrimination through the Conflict Theory, we can observe how the
struggle of the people especially among the minority at the particular place. The history of the
societies has been a history of class struggles (Dahrendorf, 1958). Coined by Karl Marx,
Conflict Theory focused on the macro level of the society and touch on the issue of inequality
The ethnic discrimination is mostly due to the domination of the social power and political
influences. This will contribute to the alienation towards a particular society. They are facing
inequality, being underclass and recognized as a stateless people.

For example, in the context South East Asia, the most significant issues is on the
discrimination towards the Rohingyas in Myanmar and in our country itself, the case of the
‘sea gypsy’ or the Bajau Laut are often labelled as the discriminated society. Due to the lack of
identification as a Malaysia citizen, the are facing unequal distribution of services and
economics oppoturnity such as having a good job. Ethnocentrism are still there among the
local community towards the minority and that’s why the racial and ethnic lines are still thick.
Ethnic antagonism are also potentially occurred when they are having lower wages in the
labour market (Carlos et al., 2022). This was lead to the emergence of split labour market
theory.

"Bajau Laut or sea gypsy in Semporna
Sabah who live in a small boat as a
house.

Source : Fieldwork 2022

pn 1

CONFLICT THEORY : CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM

1. DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SOCIAL CLASS, RACE AND PROVERTY/ WEALTH
GREATLY AFFECT THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

2. DETAINEES WHO HAVE THE POWER CAN AVOID BEING PUNISHED AND
RELEASED.

3. WHILE FOR ORDINARY PEOPLE OR SUBODINATES, THEY WILL BE GIVEN
REPEATED PUNISHMENT BASED ON THE CRIME COMMITTED.

4. RACIAL DISCRIMINATION ALSO AFFECTS THE SYSTEM OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE.
5. WEAKNESS OF CIVIL SERVANTS ESCPECIALLY THOSE INVOLVING OFFICERS

OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

EXAMPLE:

Powerful people such as politicians will take advantage of the influence of their
power to be freed from punishment.
For the poor and minorities are in a less fortunate situation.
Racial discrimination are not given protection despite having the same wealth
as African Americans in the US.
The increasing corruption, especially in Malaysia has weakened the civil service
system, those involving offiers of the criminal jsutice system. This has resulted
in a poor quality and poor criminal justice system.
Nevertheless, the enforcement or enactment of the law by the powerful
groups is focused on the privileged and use the police to control and oppress
any society that poses a threat according to their status quo such as black
people in the United States who are considered violent. On their own
perception.
Repressive measures aimed at controlling groups considered volatile and
threatening (Tagaki, 1974).
According to conflict theorists, People who are relatively powerless are more
likely to be formally defined as criminals, processed by the criminal justice
apparatus, and have little ability to infiltrate into criminal justice and legal
decision -making systems (Center for Research on Criminal Justice, 1975).

pn 2

ENLIGHTENMENT (LIBERALISM THEORY): THE ISSUE OF
RESTRICTIONS ON EDUCATION FOR NON -CITIZENS

The theory of Liberalism is a basic theory of the value of enlightenment that was
introduced by a philosopher named John Locke.Basically this theory emphasizes on how
human beings can develop if they have freedom. In the context of educational issues, this
theory discusses a lot about equality of opportunity in education. This theory also states
that a person’s equal opportunity in education should depend on whether the person has
met the prerequisites of merit standards. This merit refers to a person’s ability in
academic achievement, this is what is the main standard of educational development
(Thompson, 2017). We can relate this theoretical approach to the issue of educational
restrictions in Malaysia that occur for most non -citizens.

For example, as happened to the "Rohingya community"
Rohingya community, this community Source : google image
expressed the desire of the government
in Malaysia to give their children the "Rohingya community"
opportunity to go to school. This is Source : google image
because they argue that education is one
of the ways to make them a developing
society just like any other society.
However, this was not agreed by the
government due to the lack of trained
teachers to guide children in this
community. This is because, the language
factor is a major barrier for teachers to
teach. Because there are no teachers who
are fluent in the language they use, their
applications cannot be approved and
implemented by the government
(Samsudin & Ismail, 2022). Indirectly
education issues like this are difficult to
resolve because the inability of teachers
to teach ultimately hinders the
government’s efforts to produce a
refugee community that can be self -
sufficient.

pn 3

ENLIGHTENMENT ( LIBERALISM ):

PRESS ISSUE AND GOVERNMENT RESTRICTIONS

LIBERALISM THEORY

·Liberalism approach is a form of doctrine or idea to
increase human comfort and prosperity to ensure that
they can create cooperation in safeguarding their equality

rights.
·Emphasizing on society's right to life, freedom and

property to create development in a society.
The objective is to make the quality of life of the
community better especially in terms of knowledge and

education.

To clarify press issues and government sanctions through the
stream of liberalism, we can observe that the ability of
journalists to report independently on matters of public
interest is an important indicator of democracy. Press issues
and government restrictions are mostly due to the
government's dominance in the latest news where all
information related to the community's equal right to speak is
blocked and has been censored especially on political issues.
This will cause freedom of speech as a human right in
submitting their opinions, comments, ideas and information to
be ignored. Independent newspapers can inform citizens
about the successes or failures of their leaders, communicate
the needs and desires of the people to government bodies,
and provide a platform for the open exchange of information
and ideas. When media freedom is restricted, this important
function is damaged, leading to poor results and dangerous
outcomes for leaders and citizens.

EXAMPLE :

·The human right to seek and disseminate information
through the independent press is attacked. Populist
leaders have overseen concerted attempts to restrict
the freedom of the media sector. Elected leaders in
many democracies, have made explicit attempts to
silence critical media voices and strengthen coverage
channels that provide encouraging coverage. This will
render the basic desire for democratic freedom,
including access to honest and fact -based journalism,
unfulfilled.

pn 4

POSITIVISM POSITIVISM THEORY : STREOTYPE BELIEFS
As we know, every country does exist streotypical
POSITIVISM IS A FIELD OF PHILOSOPHICAL
THEORY WHOSE STARTING POINT IS THAT thinking towards racism, religion and others. for
NATURAL SCIENCE OR POSITIVE FACTS AS example, Malaysia is multi -racial, and among the
THE ONLY TRUE SOURCE OF KNOWLEDGE three main races are the Malays, Chinese and India
who have been together since the colonial era.
AND REJECTS ACTIVITIES RELATED TO Malaysia began to be a developed country because
METAPHYSICS. positivist or rational-scientific thinking has reduced


prejudice and racism among races.
THE EMPHASIS OF THE PHILOSOPHY OF The issue of racism is now much less than it was in
POSITIVISM ON THE SCIENTIFIC RATIONAL, the past that happened on 13 May, or known as the 13

IT ALSO FUNCTIONS TO EXPLAIN REALITY, May 1969 Incident.
IN SUCH A WAY THAT HIS BELIEF IN THE
TRUTH IS MORE OPEN.


THIS THEORY HAS SEVERAL LEVELS OF

THINKING, IT CAN PRODUCE A KNOWLEDGE
THAT HUMANS WILL BE ABLE TO THINK IN
THE REALITY OF LIFE NOT SPECULATIVELY,
BUT CONCRETELY, AND BE ABSOLUTE,
ORDERLY AND VALID.

"The events of 13 May 1969 which led to inter -racial riots in

Source : google image Malaysia"

If we think positivistically or scientifically, we can Stereotypical thinking is also due to the long
unite societies from various religions, races and enough colonial process with the ideological values
brought by the colonialists have permeated into the
nations. thinking of the society.
Negative stereotypical thoughts about a particular

race or group are quite difficult to eradicate in According to Gordon Allport (1954), he used several

society. Among the main factors is due to the habit of social approaches to explain why racial and class

people who do not think scientifically and lack prejudice occurs everywhere. His study of the

knowledge who really like to put others in certain problem of societal stereotypes of prejudice that it

categories and separate each other according to is a symptom that has strong enough emotional

groups. roots and attraction as well as lack of knowledge.

pn 5

REFERENCE

Carlos R., Erika G., Janét H., Joy Tsuhako., Lisette R., &
Shaheen J. (2022). Sociological Theoretical Perspectives.
221-222.

Dahrendorf, R. (1958). Toward a theory of social conflict. Journal
of Conflict Resolution, 2(2), 170–183. https://sci-
hub.wf/10.1177/002200275800200204

Gordon. W.A, (1954), The Nature of Prejudice Volume 10.
Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, 2004

Lex. D, (1996), For Positivist Organization Theory. British, Sage
Publicaion LTD.

Samsudin, A. Z., & Ismail, N. K. (2022). Dilema pendidikan
kanak-kanak Rohingya di Malaysia: Satu tinjauan awal.
UITM Journal. 33(1), 79-105.

Thompson, W. C. (2017). Liberalism in Education. Oxford
University Press. 1 (1), 1-20