Buchanan and Monderman's theories on social order in public spaces

¶ … Buchanan Monderman's Approaches

Compare and Contrast Buchanan and Monderman's approaches to the production of social order in public spaces

In this paper we are examining the role of social spaces in society. This is accomplished by comparing the views of Buchanan with Monderman. Once this takes place, is when we can see how different structures are utilized to create a change within society.

Over the last several decades, the attitudes and perceptions about social order have been continually changing. Part of the reason for this, is because there has been a change in the beliefs of society. As these shifts have meant that the ideas about how people should be interacting with each other in public places is different. To deal with the challenges various urban designers have implemented a number of theories. The problem is that each approach has its own unique attributes that will have an impact on the way these views are shaping society. To fully understand how this is taking place requires carefully examining the different theories on the subject. This will be accomplished by conducting a detailed review of the ideas presented by Buchanan and Monderman. Once this occurs, is when we can offer specific insights that will help everyone to see how these transformations are happening.

Buchanan's Ideas on Social Order

For any society, having some kind of social order will determine the values and beliefs of the nation. This is because social attitudes will play an important role in determining how various laws are applied and interpreted. Over the course of time, this can lead to distinctions about how everyone is living their daily lives. As, this is creating a set of social norms based upon the various guidelines that have been established.

Buchanan takes these ideas one step further by looking at the long-term impact of liberalism from a more critical view. This is accomplished through carefully studying the impact of these ideas on minorities and the effect that they will have on these groups. What he found was that these kinds of structures are creating a number of challenges for society. Most notably: the right to enforce existing laws, the ability to create new institutions and the effect on individual rights. The right to enforce existing laws is when the state has the ability to control the actions of the general public by going after those individuals who are in violation of the law. This supposed to severe as a deterrent against future criminal activities. (Buchanan 2003, pp. 231 -- 240)

The ability to create new institutions is when the state is focused on creating alternative entities that will have an impact on the course of our lives. This means that they could establish new governmental organizations that will have responsibility for determining how everyone will react. This is because they are implementing a host of different procedures that must be followed when receiving the any assistance from them. Over the course of time, this will create a change in attitudes about what is happening. This is the point that there will be a shift in the thoughts and ideas of those who are using them. Once this occurs, is when there will be a change in the thinking and mindset for an individual. (Buchanan 2003, pp. 231 -- 240)

For example, let's suppose that the Ministry of Health imposed a series of strict new guidelines on what services available to the public and who was eligible for them. This creates a change in thinking, as most people will automatically begin following these procedures without questioning them. Once this occurs, is when they will automatically shift their attitudes and ideas about society and their role within it. This is important, because it is showing how these kinds of subtle changes will automatically lead to a transformation in thinking patterns over the long-term. (Buchanan 2003, pp. 231 -- 240)

The way that this has an impact on individual rights, is each person is willing to give up more of their personal freedom. This is because any kind of new regulations will subtly push someone to embrace these shifts. Those who are not following these basic guidelines will feel social pressure to change from other (i.e. friends / family). While at the same time, there are different legal aspects that will force everyone to comply. This is important, because it is showing how the individual will be given a choice in compliance through: having pressure place upon them from their support groups and the ability to lose their freedom by not following certain actions. (Buchanan 2003, pp. 231 -- 240)

As a result, Buchanan believes that these different tools are being utilized to encourage someone to adapt to a host of changes. Once this occurs, it means that society will undergo a transformation. This is when a new social norm is established and everyone is able to deal with a variety of issues. (Buchanan 2003, pp. 231 -- 240)

How these Views Compare to Goffman and Foucault

Goffman found that the social order is determined based upon a number of different factors to include: coordination and power. Coordination is when everyone is working together to create a new set of social norms that must be embraced by everyone. The way that this will be accomplished is through establishing different rules. This will psychologically encourage everyone to subconsciously follow the different laws that have been enacted by society. (Taylor 2009, pp. 303 -- 348)

Power is when everyone accepts the fact that these higher authorities have the ability to encourage them to follow particular practices. Once this occurs, is when everyone will have a sense of acceptance and appreciation for the social structure that is in place. As, this is providing the public with: a way of understanding and effectively interacting with the world around them. Over the course of time is when there will be a change in attitudes and ideas about society. As a result, these ideas are very similar those of Buchanan. While they are also taking the views of Monderman and incorporating through creating systems that will invite these kinds of changes. (Taylor 2009, pp. 303 -- 348)

Foucault is concentrating on how power is an instrument that is used to subtly encourage compliance within society. The way that this is accomplished is through having various experts and friends / family tell us what is happening in our lives. This is designed to serve as a way of encouraging everyone to comply with the actions of the group. Over the course of time, is when this will create a change in social attitudes. This is because, critical support groups are used to push and help everyone to embrace these transformations. Those who refuse to do so will often be seen as someone who is unwilling to follow these guidelines (which creates a sense of isolation). This is important, because it is showing how these ideas are similar to those of Buchanan. While it is also related to the ideas of Monderman through creating structures that will change these perceptions. Once this occurs, is when there will be transformation in how everyone is interacting with each other. (Taylor 2009, 349 -- 394)

Clearly, the biggest shifts that are taking place inside society are based upon changes in social attitudes and the role of everyone within it. Both Buchanan and Monderman are focused on changing these attitudes through having creating structures that will invite and enforce these transformations. Once this occurs, is when there will be a transformation in how everyone in interacting with each other and their attitudes about a host of events.