Introduction The idea of a “post-racial society” gained global attention in the early twenty-first century, particularly after the election of Barack Obama as President of the United States in 2008. Many commentators claimed that America had finally moved beyond race, discrimination, and structural inequality. According to this view, race no longer significantly shaped social opportunities, … Read more
Introduction on Race Relations and Civil Rights Legacy Alabama occupies a central and symbolic place in the history of race relations in the United States. More than almost any other state, it represents both the deepest roots of racial oppression and some of the most transformative struggles for racial justice. From slavery and segregation to … Read more
Introduction The aging population in America is one of the most significant demographic transformations of the twenty-first century. Advances in medical science, improved living standards, and declining fertility rates have together produced a society in which older adults form a rapidly growing segment. While increased longevity is often celebrated as a success of modern civilization, … Read more
Introduction: The Democratic Promise and the Power Puzzle Democracy is often celebrated as the political system where power rests in the hands of the people. Elections, constitutions, civil liberties, and representative institutions are presented as evidence that citizens collectively rule themselves. Yet sociologists have long questioned whether this ideal matches reality. If citizens truly control … Read more
Introduction Gun culture occupies a unique and controversial place in American society. Unlike other developed nations, the United States exhibits both widespread civilian gun ownership and persistently high levels of gun-related violence. This paradox has drawn sustained attention from sociologists, policymakers, and scholars who seek to understand how historical traditions, social structures, cultural meanings, and … Read more
Introduction In recent years, the term cancel culture has become one of the most contested ideas in American public discourse. From celebrities losing careers after controversial statements to ordinary individuals facing social backlash on digital platforms, cancel culture has emerged as a powerful social phenomenon. At the same time, debates around free speech—a core democratic … Read more
Introduction Religion has long played a significant role in shaping European societies, influencing culture, politics, morality, and social institutions. Among European nations, the Netherlands presents a particularly fascinating case in the study of religion and secularization. Historically known for its strong religious institutions and denominational divisions, Dutch society has undergone one of the most rapid … Read more
Introduction American politics is often celebrated as a model of representative democracy, grounded in constitutional values, free elections, and civic participation. However, beneath this democratic ideal lies a complex network of power relations shaped by lobbying and corporate influence. From campaign finance to public policy formulation, corporate actors and professional lobbyists play a decisive role … Read more
Introduction Democracy in America has long been presented as a model political system based on popular sovereignty, constitutional governance, and individual freedoms. The United States claims to operate on the principle that power ultimately rests with the people, exercised through elections, representative institutions, and civic participation. However, sociology urges us to look beyond formal political … Read more
Mental health has emerged as one of the most pressing social concerns in contemporary American society. While psychological and medical sciences often focus on individual diagnosis and treatment, sociology shifts the lens outward, examining how social structures, institutions, relationships, and cultural expectations generate stress and shape mental well-being. From economic insecurity and workplace pressure to … Read more