Culture of Prejudice : : Arguments in Critical Social Science / / Murray E.G. Smith, John Sorenson, Judith Blackwell.

• VerfasserIn: Blackwell, Judith,; Smith, Murray E.G.,; Sorenson, John,
• Place / Publishing House: Toronto : : University of Toronto Press, , [2021]; ©2013
• Year of Publication: 2021
• Language: English
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (368 p.)

Contesting the putative "even-handedness" of many introductory social science texts, this innovative book presents strong and provocative arguments on contemporary social issues that will stimulate readers to think critically. The principal theme of the book is that social science is at its best, and most exciting, when it confronts and refutes "cultures of prejudice"—intricate systems of beliefs and attitudes that sustain many forms of social oppression and that are, themselves, sustained by ignorance and fear of the unknown and the unfamiliar. Such a critical social science, it is argued, can make an important contribution to promoting human freedom and extending human capacities. Discussions range from the personal to the political, the national to the global, encompassing social policy analysis (law, health, and welfare), the status of women, and animal liberation, as well as nationalism, racism, political ideology, the global economy, and terrorism. This passionately argued book is an excellent supplementary text for undergraduate social science students, as well as a stimulating read for all those open to hard-hitting confrontations with conventional wisdom. Beginning each chapter with an aphorism, anecdote, or "ation that reflects, illustrates, or challenges particular prejudices, the authors offer concise critical discussions of the issues, informed by some of the best research and thought in the social scientific literature.

Table of Contents

Frontmatter -- CONTENTS -- Acknowledgements -- PART ONE INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK AND ITS AUTHORS -- Suggested Readings -- PART TWO NATIONALISM, RACISM, FUNDAMENTALISM, & TERRORISM -- 1 “My country, right or wrong” Notorious motto of nationalistic jingoism -- 2 “Everybody is a racist; it’s part of human nature” Fatalistic belief condoning the perpetuation of racial oppression -- 3 “I’m not a racist, and nobody I know is either” A worthy statement which invites discussion of “colour-blindness -- 4 “Immigrants are threatening our way of life” Centuries-old fear expressed about every new wave of immigration, even by members of the last wave of immigration -- 5 “God is on our side” Common belief, usually held by “both” sides in armed conflict -- 6 “Either you are with us or you are with the terrorists” A mind-numbingly ridiculous Hobson’s choice offered up by US President G.W. Bush, September 20, 2001 -- Suggested Readings -- PART THREE COLONIALISM AND GLOBALIZATION -- 7 “Third World poverty is the result of traditional values” First World conceits about “backward” societies -- 8 “The USA promotes freedom throughout the world” America as saviour of the global community -- 9 “Free markets pave the way for social development” The World Trade Organization as benign force for social good -- Suggested Readings -- PART FOUR POVERTY AND SOCIAL DISPOSSESSION -- 10 “The Welfare State Rewards Laziness” The poor are different from “the rest of us” prejudice -- 11 “Idle hands are the Devil’s workshop” More myths about poverty -- 12 “Indians shouldn’t have any special rights” Belief that aboriginal peoples are “just another minority group” -- 13 “If unemployed people can’t find jobs, they should start their own businesses” Anachronistic view concerning “individual responsibility,” work, and the sanctity of small business enterprise -- 14 “Recent trends toward falling living standards show that there are ‘natural limits’ to the expansion of human prosperity” Naturalistic explanation for why the rich get richer and the poor get poorer -- 15 “The real culprit for the poverty gap (between rich and poor countries) is not uneven trade, but excessive population growth” Neo-Malthusian prejudice -- Suggested Readings -- PART FIVE SOCIAL CLASS -- 16 “Class inequality is an inevitable feature of the human condition” Misanthropic belief that “There will always be a ruling class” -- 17 “As a rule, the rich deserve their wealth” Corollary to the absurd notion that the poor deserve to be poor -- 18 “A classless society in a complex and economically developed society is impossible; it is an unrealistic utopia” Excuse for gross social inequality amidst tremendous wealth and productive capacity -- 19 “Most people belong to the middle class” Myth of the “Middle-Class Society” -- Suggested Readings -- PART SIX FEMINISM AND THE WOMEN’S MOVEMENT -- 20 “Feminists are just ‘male bashers’” Misogynist notion representing a step up from “bra burners.” Better not to be thought of only for denouncing one’s underwear -- 21 “Feminism is no longer relevant” Delusional statement by people who think women “have it all” -- Suggested Readings -- PART SEVEN HEALTH, SEXUALITY, AND REPRODUCTION -- 22 “Doctor Knows Best” Dubious homespun advice encouraged by medical professionals everywhere -- 23 “Modesty and virtue are the essence of femininity” Who needs genital mutilation, when ideology can cripple sexual fulfillment just as effectively? -- 24 “Homosexuality is unnatural” Or, why my orgasm is better than yours -- 25 “Abortion is murder” Anti-woman hysterical rhetoric of the anti-abortion movement -- 26 “The family is a haven in a heartless world” The “family values” myth -- Suggested Readings -- PART EIGHT POLICING THE CULTURE OF PREJUDICE -- 27 “Lock ’em up and throw away the key!” Expensive, inefficient, inhumane, and remarkably simple-minded solution to the modern “crime problem” -- 28 “Just say ‘no’ to drugs” Or, why my drugs are okay and yours aren’t, as propounded by Nancy Reagan, Leading Lady to former actor and US President Ronald, c. 1980s -- 29 “Support Your Local Police” Popular propaganda of dubious value to protesters of the Culture of Prejudice -- 30 “In America, Justice is Blind” Myth of “Equality Before the Law” -- Suggested Readings -- PART NINE ECOLOGY AND ANIMAL LIBERATION -- 31 “People come first” Conceits of anthropocentrism -- 32 “Eating meat is natural” Preference defined as inevitability -- 33 “Hunting is part of human nature” “Human nature” as a rationalization for the inhumane -- Suggested Readings -- PART TEN THE ECONOMY -- 34 “When Corporations Win, Everyone Wins” Or, why big business is our saviour, as explained in a letter to the editor, The St. Catharines Standard, August 9, 1997 -- 35 “Unions are too powerful; they are detrimental to the economy” Anti-labour sentiment in a world dominated by big capital -- Suggested Readings -- PART ELEVEN POLITICS AND IDEOLOGY -- 36 “He who says organization says oligarchy” The anti-democratic prejudices of Robert Michels -- 37 “Radicalism of the Left and Right are Equally Deplorable” The “golden mean” prejudice -- 38 “Vote for the candidate of your choice, but vote” The “democratic” prejudice -- Suggested Readings -- EPILOGUE “BLACK SEPTEMBER” AND THE CULTURE OF PREJUDICE -- Glossary -- Index