The Social Systems theme strives to introduce you to the interconnectedness of six core social sciences disciplines - anthropology, human geography, economics, law, political science/international relations, and sociology.
In the introductory theme course we will focus on the role of markets and equality in contemporary social systems, and relate these two concepts by looking at the role of individuals in relationship to groups: can and should groups require individuals to conform to their norms? When should individuals be free to follow their own preferences and when should the group impose collective ones? This central social question is examined through the lenses of law, economics, and psychology.
From an economic point of view, what are the tradeoffs involved between individual freedom to decide versus group control and collective choices? When do individual decisions lead to outcomes with unintended or undesired outcomes? What are the circumstances under which individuals may be better off constraining their choices through delegation to central authority?
The legal part will look at anti-discrimination law, in various contexts, such as discrimination on the grounds of sex, nationality, race and religion. The desire of individuals to express themselves, and to make choices about those they work and live with, and form their own closed sub-groups, has to be balanced against the desire of society as a whole to prevent divisions and conflicts and protect the vulnerable. What are the moral beliefs underlying this, and how does law reflect them?
The psychologist will examine the way individuals make decisions and how they are influenced by their context and society. Can individuals function outside a group? Is it meaningful to oppose the two to each other? What are the psychological consequences for individuals of group constraints or individual liberty?
