John

Llamas

Professor Lookholder
Sociology 1
20 November 2016
Project 1: Video/DVD Analysis
My video is about Bernie Sanders, former candidate for the Democratic presidential
nomination, discussing income inequality at a rally in Seattle, Washington. Through this
speech, Bernie discusses how a handful of individuals possess the majority of wealth in our
country. As he discusses the data of this inequality, he mentions how it impacts politics and
economy. After, he states that the minimum wage should be increased, so that the middle
class can have a livable wage. Additionally, he believes that the 1% needs to pay more in
taxes, with this additional tax revenue going toward social programs that benefit the working
class. Throughout the rally, the crowd enthusiastically cheers to Bernie's assertions. Overall,
Bernie discusses the need for an economy that works for all, not just a handful of very
affluent individuals.
Comte, a strong advocate for social order and of social inequality, would concur with this
video. Comte spoke about the inequalities between different social classes, just as Bernie
Sanders is doing in this video. Also, Comte discussed factors like race and gender. In this
video, Bernie Sanders discusses the unjust wage gap between men and women; additionally,
Bernies campaign is oriented around providing a fair economy that works for all
regardless of religious beliefs, ethnicity, or gender. As an advocate for social order, Comte
would talk down about corruption in government, just as Bernie discusses the need for

campaign finance reform. Bernie believes that wealthy individuals should not be able to
utilize their relatively infinite credit line to sway policymakers. Comte would agree that
social order requires lawmakers to conduct themselves absent of self-interests. The idea of
acting for the better good of society is well regarded in Comtes work and in Bernie Sanders
message for a better America.
Durkheim was also a strong advocate of social order and would interpret Bernie Sanders
message as a valid method to carry out our economy. Durkheim would agree that our
nations current economy exists the level of any individual and is able to influence individual
behavior. Whether it is swaying individuals to different lifestyles, educational fields, or
industries, this video showcases that the inequality in our current economy influences
countless decisions amongst the commonwealth. Durkheim exemplified a strong concern in
weakened social integration, which is precisely what Bernie Sanders is advocating against.
Durkheims concept of anomie can be perfectly seen in the video. Whether its being isolated
from society because you pertain to a certain ethnicity, social class, or gender, individuals
from these groups lose direction in society because social control has become ineffective due
to its unjust inequalities. Ultimately, Durkheim would interpret this video as an example of
anomie and as an effort to reinstall social order.
Marx would interpret this video as how power and inequality have shaped our economy.
Karl believed that a ruling class should possess ownership of material resources and a
working class should produce goods. He would disagree with this video about extending
these resources to the masses, not just a select view. Although his communist beliefs align
with Bernies socialistic proposals, he would disagree with Bernies means of production that

would lead to a shift of income. However, Karl would agree with income equality that does
not discriminate between social groups.
Overall, this video exemplifies the conflict perspective. It focuses on economic
disparities between social classes, and how that leads to disadvantages in an economy where
inflation is rising and wages are stagnant. Many people who belong to the middle class are at
this rally with hopes of electing a candidate that will bring change. This issue encompasses
the entire nation, and this video showcases a portion of our nation coming together to solve a
social imbalance.