Different Types of Social Criticism

Social criticism is an important tool for broadening your horizons and advocating for a better society.

What Exactly Is Social Criticism?

Social criticism is a method of examining how the existing social structure contributes to sociological problems. A social critic typically proposes solutions to perceived injustices and advocates for consensus reforms or radical changes to existing structures via revolution.

Types of Social Criticism

There are several types of social criticism. Here are a couple of examples:

Critical theory: The Frankfurt School of thought in Germany in the early twentieth century gave birth to a type of social criticism known as critical theory”the idea that philosophy could be used to identify and overcome social problems. Critical theorists at the Frankfurt School, such as Jürgen Habermas and Theodor Adorno, were influenced by Karl Marx and Sigmund Freud and believed that philosophy's goal was not to gain knowledge but rather to use knowledge to liberate humanity from oppression. Since the 1970s, philosophers, social scientists, psychologists, cultural studies, and lawyers have used critical theory in their fields, developing specialized focuses such as critical race theory and gender theory to evaluate the relationships between society and specific social groups. Some critical theorists reject academic forms of discourse entirely, preferring to focus on real-world social movements rather than theoretical debates.

Literary criticism: Social criticism assesses literature in relation to its social context. Literary criticism investigates the author's social standing as well as the impact of the author's literary work on its audience. Marxist criticism is a type of social criticism that looks at how a particular work of literature affirms or rejects oppression within class systems. Postcolonial criticism, on the other hand, examines literary depictions of colonialism, focusing on the control and exploitation of colonized people. Critical theorists not only evaluate existing literature through this lens, but they also write fictional works that explore social problems in a narrative format. Popular examples include dystopian novels such as Aldous Huxley's Brave New World and George Orwell's Animal Farm, as well as historical fiction such as Charles Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities and Upton Sinclair's The Jungle.

Social criticism in music: Certain musical genres, such as punk, rap, and some metal, arose as social critiques of government, oppression, and disillusionment with society. For example, the Sex Pistols' punk song "Pretty Vacant" discusses teenage apathy toward England's turbulent political climate in the 1970s. Another example of social criticism is 2Pac's "Brenda's Got a Baby," which details the social injustices that some communities face.

Benefits of Social Criticism

Social criticism has the potential to benefit society as a whole. Here are a few examples:

It makes the needs of oppressed social groups more visible. Engaging in social criticism can help you understand different points of view, particularly those of groups that are frequently left out of the dominant societal narrative.

It has the potential to challenge your beliefs. Certain ideas, including outdated or harmful ones, may go unchallenged in the absence of social criticism. Social criticism can give you the analytical tools you need to imagine a better world or teach you more about how society works.

It has the potential to effect real change. Social criticism in fiction can have a significant impact on society. Upton Sinclair's 1906 novel The Jungle, which depicted the dangers and exploitation of the meat industry, influenced legislation that improved food safety protocols. Offshoots of critical theory, such as critical race theory and feminist legal theory, have challenged the status quo within the law and begun discussions about how the legal system perpetuates inequality.

It integrates theory and practice. Social criticism seeks to create a more equitable society, which means it extends beyond theoretical debates. Social critics seek to empower individuals to not only understand but also act in response to oppression.