Introduction Bereska (2014) defines moral entrepreneurs as being groups or individuals who, in an attempt (usually successful) to change the moral codes of society, bring awareness to a social problem that needs to be addressed. Many of these moral entrepreneurs are quite powerful, for example politicians, religious institutions, media and scientists (Ehret 19 September 2016). In order to better understand the role that moral entrepreneurship and power have in society, we will examine the effects and influence that power and labelling theories have on moral entrepreneurs, as well as look at an example of a moral entrepreneur from the present day.
Summary of the Readings
Power
Power is the main source of influence for moral entrepreneurs. …show more content…
This is described as being a theory that describes how an individual is labelled as deviant and the implications of how others treat them, as well as the implications on their personal behaviours and identities (Beraska 2014, p 70 & 72). This theory often leaves to the social exclusion of whoever is labelled as deviant because one they receive that label of being deviant, that is all they are seen as; it becomes part of their identity. This concept of labelling theory can be very helpful for moral entrepreneurs. In their attempt to try and change the moral codes of society, they are trying to make a certain act or issue in something to be seen as deviant. Therefore, in doing so they are creating their own label of deviance. In this case, labelling theory is an important tool for moral entrepreneurs because they are able to make whatever social issue be seen as deviant and therefore unappealing to society since no one wants to be seen as a deviant person and socially excluded from …show more content…
The moral entrepreneurs who have taken on this is an organization called Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is a volunteer run organization whose mission is to end drunk driving and to provide support to victims of drunk driving accidents (Mission). This organization is a moral entrepreneur because they are spreading awareness about the issue and impacts of drinking and driving and making the public pay more attention to these problems. Looking back at the definition of a moral entrepreneur from Bereska (2014), what they are doing falls into that exact definition. MADD not only raises awareness, but provides support programs and services to people who have become victims of drunk driving. Ehret (19 September 2016) talks about the deviance dance, which is when people debate and struggle over specific persons and/or acts and whether or not they are deviant. MADD participates in this dance, with society in trying to turn drunk driving into a deviant act. In order to try and make the dance move in their desired direction, they are doing things such as creating informational and educational programs in order to try and prove how dangerous the act of drinking and driving can be. Due to the fact that MADD has predicted that over 35,000 lives have been saved in about the last 3 decades, they appear to be making good progress in their
Summary of the Readings
Power
Power is the main source of influence for moral entrepreneurs. …show more content…
This is described as being a theory that describes how an individual is labelled as deviant and the implications of how others treat them, as well as the implications on their personal behaviours and identities (Beraska 2014, p 70 & 72). This theory often leaves to the social exclusion of whoever is labelled as deviant because one they receive that label of being deviant, that is all they are seen as; it becomes part of their identity. This concept of labelling theory can be very helpful for moral entrepreneurs. In their attempt to try and change the moral codes of society, they are trying to make a certain act or issue in something to be seen as deviant. Therefore, in doing so they are creating their own label of deviance. In this case, labelling theory is an important tool for moral entrepreneurs because they are able to make whatever social issue be seen as deviant and therefore unappealing to society since no one wants to be seen as a deviant person and socially excluded from …show more content…
The moral entrepreneurs who have taken on this is an organization called Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is a volunteer run organization whose mission is to end drunk driving and to provide support to victims of drunk driving accidents (Mission). This organization is a moral entrepreneur because they are spreading awareness about the issue and impacts of drinking and driving and making the public pay more attention to these problems. Looking back at the definition of a moral entrepreneur from Bereska (2014), what they are doing falls into that exact definition. MADD not only raises awareness, but provides support programs and services to people who have become victims of drunk driving. Ehret (19 September 2016) talks about the deviance dance, which is when people debate and struggle over specific persons and/or acts and whether or not they are deviant. MADD participates in this dance, with society in trying to turn drunk driving into a deviant act. In order to try and make the dance move in their desired direction, they are doing things such as creating informational and educational programs in order to try and prove how dangerous the act of drinking and driving can be. Due to the fact that MADD has predicted that over 35,000 lives have been saved in about the last 3 decades, they appear to be making good progress in their