Social Theory

Karl Mannheim (1893-1947) occupies a prominent position among the leading social scientists of the twentieth century; his ideas and his books are relevant for many issues engaging the concern of sociologists today. Mannheim’s life spanned three cultural traditions – Hungarian, German and British – a..

The Sociology of Wilhelm Baldamus explores Baldamus’s concern that research should be underpinned by meticulous theoretical and conceptual work. It will be of interest to sociologists, social theorists, intellectual historians, and those working in the field of social science research methods...

The Sociology of Wilhelm Baldamus explores Baldamus’s concern that research should be underpinned by meticulous theoretical and conceptual work. It will be of interest to sociologists, social theorists, intellectual historians, and those working in the field of social science research methods...

Zygmunt Bauman is one of the most inspirational and controversial thinkers on the scene of contemporary sociology. This collection introduces and critically appraises Bauman's contributions to the field, illuminating how he challenges conventional wisdom in sociology. It concludes with an original c..

There is today widespread recognition of the fact that the future of human civilization depends to a high degree upon Man’s capacity to understand the forces and factors which control his own behaviour. Such understanding must be achieved, not only as regards individual conduct, but equally as regar..

In this book, Dr Heasman begins by stating some central questions and answers concerning sociology and how we are to set about studying society. It goes on to deal with family groupings and social differences; with education and the part it plays in socialization; with the meaning and the importance..

Inspired by interactionist theory and Goffman’s dramaturgy, this book traces the terminal or online self, generated by our modern practice of interacting with others on terminals, both on- and offline. It explores the deterioration of our sensory engagement in face-to-face interactions; the ‘hyper-n..

Drawing on the thought of Max Weber, this book engages with the question of whether the digital divide simply extends traditional forms of inequality, or whether it also includes new forms of social exclusion, or perhaps manifests counter-trends that alleviate traditional inequalities whilst constit..

This title was first published in 2001: This multidisciplinary volume addresses perspectives on modernity which identifies modern society as a contingent social and cultural formation rather than as the final stage in mankind's social evolution. It explores this concept both theoretically and empiri..

The concept of industrial society plays a dominant role in the social sciences. The ‘Great Divide’ between pre-industrial and industrial societies is commonly assumed to be the main bridge separating modern societies from the past, and distinguishing ‘developed’ from ‘undeveloped’ states in the pres..

The revived interest in Peter Winch’s work since his death in 1997 provoked this exciting new volume. A focus on the misrepresentation he suffered through a failure to understand central social and philosophical themes in his writing, encouraged the authors to re-establish a Winchian voice and exami..

The revived interest in Peter Winch’s work since his death in 1997 provoked this exciting new volume. A focus on the misrepresentation he suffered through a failure to understand central social and philosophical themes in his writing, encouraged the authors to re-establish a Winchian voice and exami..