Social cycle theory

Social cycle theory (also known as sociological theory of cycles) is one of the earliest social theories in sociology. Unlike the theory of social evolutionism, which views the evolution of society and human history as progressing in some new, unique direction(s), social cycle theory argues that events and stages of society and history are repeating themselves in cycles and thus there cannot be any social progress.

Related Topics:
Social theories - Sociology - Social evolutionism - Evolution of society - Human history - Social progress

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Interpretation of history as the repeating cycles of event was first put forward in academic world n 19th century in historiosophy (a branch of historiography) and was soon adopted by sociology.

Related Topics:
History - 19th century - Historiosophy - Historiography - Sociology

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Among prominent historiosophers important is Russian philosopher Nikolai Danilewski (1822-1885), who in Rossiia I Europa (1895) differentiated between various smaller civilisations (egyptian, chinese, persian, greece, roman, german, slav, and others). He wrote that each civilisation has a life cycle, and by the end of 19th century the roman-german civilisation was in decline, while slav civilisation was approaching its Golden Age. Similar theory was put forward by Oswald Spengler (1880-1936) who in his Der Untergang des

Related Topics:
Russia - Nikolai Danilewski - 1822 - 1885 - 1895 - Civilisation - Life cycle - 19th century - Golden Age - Oswald Spengler - 1880 - 1936

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Abendlandes (1918) also expected that the Western civilisation was about to collapse.

Related Topics:
1918 - Western civilisation

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The first social cycle theory in sociology was created by Italian sociologist and economist Vilfredo Pareto (1848-1923) in his Trattato di Sociologia Generale (1916). He centered his theory on the concept of elite social class, which he divided into cunning 'foxes' and violent 'lions'. In his view of society, the power constantly passes from 'foxes' to 'lions' anc vice versa.

Related Topics:
Vilfredo Pareto - 1848 - 1923 - 1916 - Elite - Social class - Power

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Social cycle theory was developed by Pitrim A. Sorokin (1889-1968) in his Social and Cultural Dynamics (1937, 1943). He classified societies according to their 'cultural mentality', which can be ideational (reality as spiritual), sensate (reality is material), or idealistic (a synthesis of the two). He has interpreted the contemporary West as a sensate civilisation dedicated to technological progress and prophesied its fall into decandence and the emergence of a new ideational or idealistic era.

Related Topics:
Pitrim A. Sorokin - 1889 - 1968 - 1937, 1943 - Technological progress

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~