Three Concepts of Centralization - Essay Example

Durkheim’s paradigms on structural functionalism, collective consciousness, and normlessness can explicate the interrelated points presented in this article. Structural functionalism is a sociological image which purports the concept of collective consciousness, this being referred to as the unifying factor within a functional society. Collective consciousness (otherwise called as mechanical solidarity) is unique to the community that holds it that is why when another form of collective conscience (another religion, statutes, or beliefs) confronts the said community, it will become alienated (normlessness) (Mestrovic xii).

Such was the case for the people empathized by this article. From a Marxist point of view, there is the concept of alienation and the conflict theory. The people (subject in the report) should normally feel uncomfortable being far away from the conventions of the previous community (alienation). The uprooting broke their collective consciousness and the difficulty of adapting to another form of the collective conscience of the new community becomes imminent though normal. The situation calls for the possibility of social and cultural conflict (Conflict Theory).

However, with time, social order will resume as differences become the “neo-conventions.”         The fact that for almost two centuries Pfizer had always been socially empathic and responsible shaped a culture not just among the people within its grasp but in the company itself. It became more than a for-profit entity. This culture became tradition then -- the source of the traditional action (Weber 115). On another perspective, the action could be interpreted as a result of technocratic thinking (zweckrational) or the belief to do what is ethical (wertrational).

Corporate social responsibility is still a top of mind among corporate owners which could either be disguised for profit-making or the essence of ethical responsibility to its community (e.g. rebuilding the neighborhood because the company wants to keep its veteran workers). The rational action induced an affectional orientation specifically when the people felt devastated after the plant shut down.