Norbert Elias and Modern Social Theory (Published in association with Theory, Culture & Society) - Softcover

Smith, Dennis

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0761961089 ISBN 13: 9780761961086

Publisher: SAGE Publications Ltd, 2001

Synopsis

Norbert Elias was one of the great sociologists of the 20th century. His theory of the civilizing process is widely recognized as a seminal contribution to sociological understanding. He also developed a distinctive approach to social study, which he termed figurational or process sociology. Dennis Smith offers a fascinating survey of Elias's life and writings and traces the growth of his reputation. He is the first author to confront Elias's work with the contrasting theories of Talcott Parsons, Hannah Arendt, Michel Foucault and Zygmunt Bauman. He also illustrates how Elias's insights can be applied to understand Western modernity and social and political change. Smith shows why Elias is important for sociology, but he is also clear sighted about the limitations of Elias's approach. The book will be required reading for anyone interested in social theory today.

About this title

About the Author:

Dennis Smith is Professor of Sociology at the University of Loughborough

About this edition

• Publisher: SAGE Publications Ltd
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 0761961089
• ISBN 13: 9780761961086
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 208