Tom,

You raise some good questions about these theoretical debates. Let me respond to a couple of them. Regarding the negativity of some theories, certainly some of them DO focus very critically on society, especially so-called conflict theorists. They believe, as I do, that there is both tremendous inequality that brings tremendous suffering, and that this inequality is NOT rooted in merit nor is otherwise legitimate. They do call for social changes (some for reformist changes, some for revolutionary changes) to address the problem. In that sense, they are OPTIMISTIC! (think about how optimistic you must be to believe we can create a good society where everyone has their basic needs met, where any social inequality really is rooted in merit, let alone a society with little real inequality!). They AREN'T trying to ignore individual responsibility, of course; conversely, they aren't going to just tell people to "get over it!" Yes, some people will respond to adversity, some will even succeed in making great leaps in their "social station", but that neither means the system is fair, nor that the answer to social problems lies in individual responses. The answer to social problems lies in collective action. Of course, if you buy into order theory, there is no problem, but I hope people will see it for what I think it is: an ideology used to justify social inequality, not a sociological theory really seeking to understand it. But that is just my view!