Central Problems in Social Theory by Anthony Giddens

Central Problems in Social Theory by Anthony Giddens

In this new and brilliantly organized book of essays, Anthony Giddens discusses three main theoretical traditions in social science that cut across the division between Marxist and non-Marxist sociology: interpretive sociology, functionalism, and structuralism.

Beginning with a critical examination of the importance of structuralism for contemporary sociology, the author develops a comprehensive account of what he calls the theory of structuration. One of the main themes is that social theory must recognize, as it has not done hitherto, that all social actors are knowledgeable about the social systems they produce and reproduce in their conduct. In order to grasp the significance of this, he argues, we have to reconsider some of the most basic concepts in sociology.

In particular, Giddens argues, it is essential to recognize the significance of time-space relations in social theory. He rejects the distinction between synchrony and diachrony, or statics and dynamics, involved in both structuralism and functionalism, and offers extensive critical commentary on the latter as an approach to sociology.

The book, which can be described as a non-functionalist manifesto, breaks with the three main theoretical traditions in the social sciences today while retaining the significant contributions each contains. In so doing Giddens discusses a range of fundamental problem areas in the social sciences: power and domination, conflict and contradiction, and social transformation. He concludes with an overall appraisal of the key problems in social theory today.

ANTHONY GIDDENS is Fellow of King's College and Lecturer in Sociology at the University of Cambridge. He is author of numerous books including Capitalism and Modern Social Theory, The Class Structure of the Advanced Societies and New Rules of Sociological Method.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9780333272947
ISBN 10	0333272943
Title	Central Problems in Social Theory
Author	Anthony Giddens
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Paperback
Publisher	Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Year published	1979-09-06
Number of pages	304
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.