De verhouding tussen de sociologie der niet-westerse volken en de sociologie en de culturele antropologie

Samenvatting

This is the text of a speech read on the Academic Day of the Free U on Oct 3, 1964. Before tackling the problems of a sociol of non-Western peoples, it is necessary to clarify the relations between sociol & cultural anthrop. The following diff's between them are pointed out: diff work area & study object; greater emphasis on primitive & `strange' societies in anthrop; sociol prefers to study classes, anthrop fam relationships; greater concern of anthrop with the general, of sociol with the particular; diff's in preferred methods; diff relations with other sci's; the existence of anthrop'al museums. However, the changes which primitive societies are now undergoing indicate a Miff relationship between sociol & cultural anthrop in the future. To study underdeveloped countries, cultural anthrop will have to accept some of the limitations of today's sociol & will have to use more & more the concepts, theories & methods of Western sociol & adapt them to the problems of complex societies. Finally, the nature of non-Western sociol is discussed by commenting on the 3 methods of studying the process of modernization proposed by P. Heintz in a 1961 UN publication, 'Report on the World Social Situation;' a 4th method is added. Heintz distinguishes between: (1) a static method of studying the characteristics of certain types of society; (2) a dynamic method of studying the processes of change; (3) the study of non-Western societies as societies in a state of rapid soc change. To these is added the study of specific problems of development through an analysis of practical experience & the application of sociol'al & anthrop'al theories. Thus, non-Western sociol will produce a greater integration of sociol & cultural anthrop. I. Langnas.