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Merton’s Unanticipated Consequences of Social Action

Sociologists have always been interested in studying unintended consequences. Robert Merton coined the habit as the unanticipated consequences of purposive action following studies that went back several years to the advent of Adam Smith, the economist who also coined the term ‘the invisible hand’ (Mica 112). In essence, Merton’s postulation meant that people not only fail to understand or see all the consequences of their actions but also foresee consequences that do not actually happen, which is why such people have to bother to act in the first place.

A perfect example that illustrates Merton’s unanticipated consequences of social action is the creation of no-man’s lands during the Cold War. The tension of a third war was high that countries had to create or leave some portions between themselves. The average section of each country was about 250 yards and this region contained a considerable amount of barbed wire. Areas that were experiencing eminent attacks could coil up to ten belts of barbed wire, where in some places the wire could go more than a hundred feet deep and high. Essentially, the area became very well protected. For purposes of protection against eminent attacks, these areas then became natural habitats, with various species of animals and birds (Mica 121). These habitats are today protected with the reduced probability of war between states especially in Europe and Asia, which are a consequence on an unintended social action. The natural habitats are classified as a positive consequence of a social action that was perceived to have intended negative consequences.

Another example is the prohibition of alcohol trade in America in the 1920s. The aim of prohibiting the activity, both local and international alcohol trade including banning importation of alcohol was to reduce at all costs alcohol consumption, which was seen as an unproductive activity. The law saw a lot of small-scale alcohol suppliers get ejected out of the business unintentionally because of the undesired consequences that were brought about by the law. Therefore, the alcohol industry was considered illegal. However, there rose large-scale organized criminal gangs who took advantage of the popularity of alcohol and continued producing it (Zwart 284). The gangs received funds from people who were interested in the consumption of alcohol and its supply to states that were struggling to repeal the prohibition, which provided a huge illegal market. Therefore, the intended action by the government was to ban the production, distribution, sale and consumption of alcohol. As a social action, the unintended consequence was a rise in criminal activities and large-scale illegal production and distribution of alcohol.

The same case has applied to modern society in countries that have banned some drugs and stamped them as illegal. The social action of creating a ban on items or creating laws that limit some freedoms and activities has led to different unintended consequences. For instance the case of illegal drugs, cartels have emerged that are so powerful and very rich that they support political candidates so that they can have protection and continue with their illegal activities. Such instances are known as drawbacks and are more harmful to the society without proper implementation of prohibition and ban policies (Merton 898.).

In conclusion, Robert Merton’s unanticipated consequences of social action has the possibility of generating both unexpected benefits as well as unexpected drawback, which all affect the social setup differently.

Works Cited

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