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Mass society theory was based on the thesis that modernity had severely eroded the social fabric. In mass society, individuals are at once subsumed in the social totality and estranged from one another.
Mass society is a concept that describes modern society as a monolithic force and yet a disaggregate collection of individuals. The term is often used pejoratively [1] to refer to a society in which bureaucracy and impersonal institutions have replaced some notion of traditional society, leading to social alienation.
Mass society theory is a complex, multifaceted perspective. As applied to social movements, however, the basic idea is that people who are socially isolated are especially vulnerable to the appeals of extremist movements.
Mass society theory helps to explain how and why society has transitioned into a disconnected society largely impacted by capitalism and large political and cultural institutions.
The mass society theory, in all its diverse formulations, is based on a sweeping general claim about "the modern world," one announcing a "break-down of community." The leading nineteenth-century proponents of this position were Louis de Bonald, Joseph de Maistre , and, from a different perspective, Gustave Le Bon .
Mass society theorists saw industrialization, urbanization, bureaucrati-zation, and the sheer scale of modern society as destroying the strong group ties-of church, clan, guild, and local neighborhood-that had previously brought order to society and meaningful participation for individuals. The
Mass society theory is a complex, multifaceted perspective. As applied to social movements, however, the basic idea is that people who are socially isolated are especially vulnerable to the appeals of extremist movements.