Problems with the System-blame Approach

Sometimes Individuals are the Problem

Blaming the system also presents problems for social scientists as well. Ultimately the system is made up of people. Society results from the interaction of individuals. Individuals are sometimes aggressive, means, and nasty (Eitzen, 2000:14).   Systemic explanations for social problems is only part of the truth.  The system-blame approach may, therefore, absolve individuals from responsibility for their actions.

Example: When a robber breaks into your house, damn the problems with the system. You have problems with that particular individual.

System-Blame:  A Dogmatic Approach?

Blaming the system is only part of the truth.  Blaming the system tends to assume a very rigid dogmatic approach to the understanding of society. It tends to present a picture that people have no free will (Eitzen, 2000:15).

Why we use the System-Blame Approach?

We tend to use the system-blame approach for a couple of reasons.

• Since most people tend to blame individuals, we need a balance.
• Sociology is concerned with societal issues and society's institutional framework is responsible for creating many social problems.
• Since institutions are human creations, we should change them when they no longer serve the will of the people. Democratic conceptions of society have always held that institutions exist to serve people, not vice versa. Institutions, therefore, are to be accountable to the people whose lives they affect. When an institution, any institution, even the most "socially valued" -- is found to conflict with human needs, democratic thought holds that it ought to be changed or abolished (in Eitzen, 2000: 15-16).  Accepting the system-blame approach is a necessary precondition to restructuring society along more human needs.