(ENEM 2013) - Question Hard of Sociology

During the period of the Industrial Revolution, economic growth and wealth concentration drove a reconfiguration of political power, leading to the consolidation of the modern State. In parallel, Enlightenment thought, with its ideals of freedom, equality, and fraternity, shaped the theoretical foundations for the construction of a fairer society. In 'The Social Contract', Jean-Jacques Rousseau discusses the foundations of the legitimacy of political power, stating that 'force does not constitute right; it is never necessary to obey force, but only reason'. In its context, the transition from feudalism to capitalism had direct implications on political organization, reflecting on power relations and mechanisms of democratic participation. Considering the socioeconomic transformations of this period and Rousseau's concepts, analyze how the transition to capitalism influenced the conception of the State, highlighting the role of reason and the consent of the governed in structuring political power in the modern State.

Analyzing the work 'Mass Culture in the 21st Century', the renowned sociologist J. B. Saldanha investigates the impact of contemporary communication technologies on the production and dissemination of cultural goods. According to Saldanha, 'mass culture not only replicates dominant cultural patterns, but also significantly influences the construction of identities and worldviews of a specific social group'. Considering this statement and integrating knowledge from sociology with the field of information technology, discuss how social networks and digital platforms can act as agents in shaping mass culture, exemplifying a scenario in which social networks play a key role in disseminating a new cultural trend and altering behavioral patterns of a specific group in contemporary society.

Social inequality is a phenomenon that manifests itself in various dimensions of life in society, including unequal access to resources, opportunities, and rights. In the Brazilian context, analysts often identify inequality as one of the main challenges for the consolidation of a fairer and more equitable society. According to IBGE data, in 2020, the average monthly income of the top 10% was about 20 times higher than the income of the bottom 40%. Based on this scenario and knowledge about social stratification and inequality, evaluate the following statements:

In the current context, there is a great cultural diversity that coexists in our society, however, often some individuals tend to judge other cultures, customs, and practices based on their own values and cultural standards, which is known as ethnocentrism. Considering this theme and the pursuit of building a more tolerant and egalitarian society, answer: 1) What is ethnocentrism and how can it contribute to the emergence and perpetuation of racism? 2) What are the possible negative impacts of ethnocentrism in contemporary society? 3) Discuss the importance of awareness and coexistence with cultural diversity in addressing ethnocentrism and racism.