Social Theory: An Introduction

Front Cover
NYU Press, 2004 - Political Science - 218 pages

A clear and accessible historical introduction to social theory

This introduction to social theory addresses key issues in sociological, political, and cultural analysis through the unifying theme of social conflict, cohesion, and consent. Structured around the major theorists in the field, Joseph examines such thinkers as Marx and Engels, Gramsci, Durkheim, Parsons, Weber, The Frankfurt School, and Foucault. Through their ideas, core social concepts and key features of modern society are introduced, including structure and agency, ideology, discourse and legitimation, the state, the economy, and civil society. Dealing with both contemporary social debates and established theoretical approaches, Social Theory serves as a uniquely useful introduction for both politics and sociology students.

 

Contents

conflict and consent
6
theorist of hegemony
36
Émile Durkheim and functionalism
66
Max Weber rationalisation and elites
94
Culture and communication in the Frankfurt school
128
discourse power and regulation
162
uncertainty and diversity
194
References
208
Index
215
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About the author (2004)

Jonathan Joseph is a lecturer in international politics at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth. He is author of Hegemony: A Realist Analysis and coeditor (with John Roberts) of Realism, Discourse and Deconstruction.

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