Introduction Labor unions have historically played a central role in shaping economic democracy and worker power in the United States. From securing basic labor rights such as minimum wages, workplace safety, and collective bargaining to influencing broader social policies, unions once stood as powerful institutions representing the working class. However, over the past several decades, … Read more
Introduction Border regions are not merely geographical edges of nation-states; they are complex social spaces where law, identity, economy, culture, and power intersect. From a sociological perspective, borders function as dynamic zones of interaction rather than fixed lines on a map. The U.S.–Mexico border, particularly in Arizona, offers one of the most significant case studies … Read more
Introduction Predicting the future of any society is a challenging task, especially one as complex and diverse as American society. Sociologists do not predict the future in the same way economists forecast markets or scientists model physical systems. Instead, sociological prediction relies on identifying long-term social trends, structural changes, and patterns of interaction that shape … Read more
Introduction Alaska occupies a unique position in the social geography of the United States. Vast in territory, extreme in climate, and rich in natural resources, it is also home to some of the oldest Indigenous communities in North America. The Indigenous peoples of Alaska—often collectively referred to as Alaska Natives—have maintained distinct social systems, cultural … Read more
Introduction Political polarization has become one of the most defining features of contemporary American society. The growing ideological divide between citizens, political parties, and social groups has reshaped public discourse, weakened democratic trust, and intensified social conflict. In everyday life, political identity increasingly determines how Americans interpret reality, choose media, form friendships, and evaluate national … Read more
Introduction Over the last four decades, social and economic inequality has become one of the most defining features of contemporary American society. While the United States is often portrayed as a land of opportunity, empirical evidence suggests that opportunities are increasingly unevenly distributed. Income gaps have widened, wealth has become concentrated in fewer hands, and … Read more
Introduction Rural society has long been central to understanding the social, cultural, and economic foundations of the American South. Alabama, a state deeply shaped by agriculture, racial history, and regional inequality, offers a compelling case for examining how rural communities respond to economic change. Over the past century, Alabama’s rural areas have experienced dramatic transformations—shifts … Read more
Urban violence has long been a persistent and deeply troubling feature of many American cities. From gang conflicts and gun-related crimes to riots and everyday street violence, urban spaces often reflect intense social tensions and structural inequalities. Sociologists argue that urban violence cannot be understood merely as a result of individual criminal behavior. Instead, it … Read more
Introduction Few ideas have shaped modern social imagination as powerfully as the American Dream. It is more than a national ideal; it is a global symbol of hope, ambition, and upward mobility. At its core, the American Dream promises that anyone—regardless of birth, class, or background—can achieve success through hard work, determination, and talent. Home … Read more
Introduction In contemporary American society, social media has become more than a communication tool—it is a central arena where identities are created, negotiated, performed, and sometimes contested. Platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter) shape how individuals understand themselves and how they wish to be perceived by others. From teenagers experimenting with … Read more