Dissertation for the degree of Master of Social Sciences (M.A)

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Abstract

The general purpose of this research is to investigate the level of particularism among the citizens of Ardabil city and its related factors. The theoretical framework of the research is derived from the theories of Parsons, George Herbert Mead, Giddens, Fukuyama, Putnam, Inglehart, Malekpour, Seaman, Homans, McClelland, Lerner, Huntington and Powell. This research was conducted by survey method and using questionnaire technique. The statistical population of the present study consists of all people aged 18 to 64 in Ardabil city, whose number was reported to be 500,000. Based on Cochran's sampling, 384 people were selected as a statistical sample, which was increased to 400 people with the aim of covering any possible error, and the samples were selected with a combination of multi-stage cluster sampling and random sampling. In order to test the research hypotheses, Pearson's correlation coefficient and one-way variance analysis have been used. Finally, in examining the research hypotheses, the following results have been obtained: there is a significant relationship between social exclusion, social satisfaction, social trust, citizens' traditionalism, citizens' perception of the scope of particularism and socio-economic base (education, job and income) and the degree of particularism of citizens between 18 and 64 years of age and related factors. Also, between the socio-economic base (education, job and income) and the degree of particularism of citizens, the results of one-way variance analysis in each of the components indicate a significant difference with particularism.

Keywords: particularism of citizens, social deprivation, social satisfaction, social trust and socio-economic base

11 Introduction

Generalism and particularism are among the topics that have been raised in the discussion of globalization in the writings of sociologists. In the definition of some sociologists, universalism refers to the trend supported by global capitalism, which tries to remove resistant cultures from its path and dissolve the heirs of those cultures in the heart of a consuming, pleasure-seeking and intolerant culture. To open the way for the expansion of the capitalist market and neutralize the dangers that threaten their capitals from culture and religion.

Particularism also refers to cultures that have realized the danger and try to protect themselves from the invasion of this generalist culture by taking refuge in national, religious, native values, and protecting (even to the extreme) those values.

Society has more or less witnessed social changes during the past decades, one of the results of which is the expansion and generalization of distinctions, and these changes were mainly external. What is certain is that the changes have taken social relations out of their traditional form and our society no longer has the characteristics of a traditional society to a large extent, at least in appearance and in the outer layers of social relations (Safari Shali, 2016: 26). The city of Ardabil is a part of this large society, which is in transition and development, and every day it has witnessed social changes and transformations, which have created social distinctions and, as a result, new social relations, which must be governed by a new order. An order whose foundations are different from the traditional order. The discussion of particularism and generalism as a mechanism with multiple social, political and economic functions plays an important role, the most important of which is the establishment of social order and group cohesion. in such a way that the tendency towards particularism or generalism will have different consequences in the social relations and interactions of citizens. Particularism becomes more concrete when social actors observe themselves against different and contradictory ethnicities, demands and social values ??and play a role of drama instead of a real role in order to reach the generally accepted values. On the other hand, among the factors that strengthen social solidarity are having common values, generalism, dissent, empathy, and altruism, and the factors that threaten it are suspicions, stances, and particularism. Every person knows that social life is impossible without following the minimum values ??accepted by the general public, and this assumption is actually a relationship between universalism and social harmony.

It is possible (Rabbani, 1388: 138).

Sociologists believe that the creation of social solidarity among people in the society is caused by factors such as common beliefs and feelings and balance and harmony between beliefs and values, and they consider the main reason for the divergence of people to be conflicts and lack of material facilities. Among the factors that strengthen social solidarity are having common values, generalism, different thinking, empathy and altruism, and the factors that threaten it are suspicions, positions and particularism. Every person knows that social life is impossible without following the minimum values ??accepted by the general public, and this assumption is actually a compromise between generalism and social harmony. That is, a collective agreement on a set of social principles and rules in a social interaction field that creates positive energy (Chalpi, 1383: 17).

Therefore, the tendency towards generalist actions leads to the realization of political stability, public participation, cooperation and social trust among citizens.

What is proposed as a problem in this research is under what conditions citizens as activists Do social groups tend towards generalism or particularism even without an external regulator?

From Chalapi's point of view, in the traditional social order, communal relations (communal relationship) have more of an emotional tone. From this point of view, social relations at the community level are more diffusional (diffusion), so the origin of value in societies with traditional order is typically beyond nature and society. Legal norms based on tradition, moral norms based on traditionalism, and members of society feel obligated to observe tradition, so there is not much room for innovation and individual creativity.

Particularism is a need that urges actors to react based on the criteria of specific choice and the position of the subject in a system of relationships with the subject (Rabbani et al., 1388: 137).

Rozita Sepharnia In a research titled examining the role of globalization in the formation of "cultural particularisms", he stated that particularism does not reflect any tolerance, tolerance and coexistence, and pluralism has no place for Arabs. Based on this, three types of particularism can be identified::

Isolated particularism: It refers to the view of some people who separate their group from the social environment. And other groups keep separate, while believing in their cultural superiority, they adopt cultural passivity.

Stubborn and militant particularism: this group is both absolutist and claims the superiority of a particular culture, with the difference that they consider the globalization of the culture in question as a mission that cannot be ignored.

Particularism Rooted: tries to maintain the distinction of groups affected by the process of globalization. These particularists are aware of the integrative tendencies of the process in question, but they emphasize preserving diversity against that integration and convergence (Golmohammadi, 1381: 163).

The behavior of particularism means adopting a position under the influence of a value system arising from Subcultures are different. According to Chalapi, if it is possible to establish the generality of values ??in underdeveloped societies, the level of social solidarity and structural generalization will increase, which is possible with the value framework of the society in such a way that all the subcultures in it can move in the field of these values ??(Rabbani, quoted by Azimi, 1388: 142).

The city of Ardabil as the center of a border province consists of citizens who Influenced by external factors and different ethnicities (Kurds, Talesh, Tat, Azeri) have various affiliations, prejudices and subcultures, and the issue of particularism is one of the main obstacles to development, a problem that affects a large group of citizens, while most people affected by their social system are particularistic in some way. Its intensity is considered.