70. Becker, Howard S. "Normative Reactions to Normlessness." American Sociological Review 25, December 1960a: 803-10.

Sacralization is the restoration of societies viewed as normless, and movements will arise with these goals clearly in mind. In such cases norms are absolute, good without reference to any other source [closed systems], but they offer clear mundane rewards. A means to the pristine end is the extirpation of sources of perceived normlessness (the term is in fact always relative) preceded by the categorization of these sources as sub- or nonhuman. The movements may proclaim themselves to be futuristic or traditional, but in every case will be found to mix the elements. This situation is present at least potentially in every society, if only because discontinuity is inherent. Zealots view this deterioration as willed, perhaps a conspiracy. Becker notes that they may be pleased by this ominous state of affairs [which feeds their self-righteousness].

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