Social Space and Symbolic Power
Sociological Theory: Vol. 7; No. 1 (Spring,1989) Pgs. 14-25.
Terms:
Habitus
Structure and Agency
Field
Symbolic Violence
Cultural Capital
Social Capital
Questions:
Bourdieu writes, "If you want to form a political movement or even an association, you will have a better chance of bringing together people who are in the same sector of space..." Thus, forming political affiliations is easier if you have a lot in common with the people you want in the group. Ever wondered why people at poetry readings, protest marches, public lectures, etc. all seem to hold the same position on things? How would Bourdieu account for that?
What about disenfranchised groups? Do they, by definition, have cultural capital? If so, how could they utilize it? How do you teach a group to recognize the cultural capital they may have? How do you give them "agency?"
What do you think he is saying when he writes, "To change the world, one has to change the ways of making the world, that is, the vision of the world and the practical operations by which groups are produced and reproduced."?
Discuss.
