US closes embassy in Syria because of security concerns
This article provides an illustration of both conflict and symbolic theories. I will apply these theories not only to this particular article, but to all of the news reports regarding the Syria uprising. The events in Syria represent the conflict theory because they reveal the protests and public demonstrations that demand the resignation of Syria’s president, Bashar al-Assad. The causes of the uprising include the fight for an effective constitution, general frustration in the government’s corruption, unemployment, an unfair totalitarian system, and the goals for democratic reforms and expanded civil rights. While not as dramatic and forceful, sociologist such as Max Weber and Karl Marx focused during their time on conflict theories such as these and strived to improve their countries’ combination of economic and political power. Currently, many countries around the world believe that the power structure in Syria is extremely flawed, giving president Bashar al-Assad an unfair abundance of power. During his time, Marx was particularly involved in promoting a democratic government structure and therefore would be deeply opposed to the current Syrian government organization as its citizens are lacking basic human and socio-economic rights (free speech, assembly & beliefs, proper election process, high unemployment rates, and deterioration in the country’s standard of living).
On the other hand, this article also represents symbolic theories as the protestors and supporting allies strive for social reform. During her time, Jane Addams experienced a similar occurrence when she advocated for equality in women, racial and ethnic minorities, and immigrants. She noticed that certain neighborhoods in Chicago (1889) lacked the proper garbage collection and therefore began to spread disease throughout the neighborhoods (particularly concentrated in poor, immigrant populations). While not as violent and life-threatening, her courageous acts were similar to those of the protestors in Syria because they all sought to improve the country’s society by increasing the rights and living standards of the people.
All of the founders of society would be interested in the uprising in Syria as it represents a world-wide sociological conflict that fights for improving the society and ending inequality.