Deviant Quote by Shuli Barzilai
““Power,' as the sociologist Nachman Ben-Yehuda writes, 'enters the picture in two ways': the first entails constructing and legitimizing the moral system itself; the second, in enforcing it. In this view, 'deviants are those who simply do not have enough power to prevent others from defining them as such'.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Power and Society, Nachman Ben‑Yehuda, 2018
Power shapes norms by creating moral systems and enforcing them; those lacking power become labeled deviant.
In simple terms: Power defines norms and labels the powerless as deviant.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how power dynamics label behavior.
Themes
power
norms
labeling
social control
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
sociological
theoretical
When to use this quote
- policy making
- organizational leadership
- community activism
- education reform
Key Concepts
legitimacy
enforcement
structural inequality
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you see power shaping definitions of normalcy?
- What mechanisms can protect the powerless from unfair labeling?
A Different Perspective
Power can be abused, marginalizing groups unintentionally.
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