Classical Sociological Theory

This comprehensive collection of classical sociological theory is a definitive guide to the roots of sociology. The volume explores the pioneering minds of Marx, Durkheim, and Weber, who developed our modern idea of society; and looks at the powerful influence of the works of early sociologists Mead, Simmel, Freud, and Du Bois. It concludes with the major works and theoretical perspectives of the mid-twentieth century, including those of Adorno, Marcuse, Parsons, and Merton. As a whole, the reader traces the evolution of social science from its undisciplined beginnings to its current guideposts and reference points in contemporary sociological debate. Updated throughout, this second edition includes selected readings which provide clearer introductions to classical theory, providing examples and showing connections to current sociology. This title's approach of giving substantial primary source texts rather than merely "snippets," and backing these up with generous introductions, is maintained in this new edition. There is an entirely new section with new readings on the immediate "pre-history" of sociological theory, including the Enlightenment and de Tocqueville. Editorial introductions lend historical and intellectual perspective to the readings, making this an authoritative and compact survey of the most representative works of classical social theory, and an essential text for undergraduate courses. Classical Sociological Theory, in conjunction with its complement, Contemporary Sociological Theory, offers readers a complete overview of sociological theory.

Table of Contents:
General Introduction. Part I: Precursors to Sociological Theory. Introduction. 1. Of the Social Contract. (Jean-Jacques Rousseau). 2. What is Enlightenment? (Immanuel Kant). 3. Of the Division of Labor. (Adam Smith). 4. Democracy in America. (Alexis de Tocqueville). Part II: The Sociological Theory of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. Introduction. A. Alienation and Historical Materialism. 5. The German Ideology. (Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels). 6. Economic and Philosophical Manuscripts of 1844. (Karl Marx). B. History and Class Struggle. 7. Manifesto of the Communist Party. (Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels). 8. The Eighteenth Brumaire of Louis Bonaparte. (Karl Marx). C. Capitalism and the Labor Process. 9. Wage-Labour and Capital. (Karl Marx). 10. Classes. (Karl Marx). Part III: The Sociological Theory of Emile Durkheim. Introduction. Society and Social Facts. 11. The Rules of Sociological Method. Solidarity and Modern Life. 12. The Division of Labor in Society. Origins of Collective Conscience. 13. The Elementary Forms of Religious Life. Egoism and Anomie. 14. Suicide. Part IV: Sociological Theory of Max Weber. Introduction. Method of Social Science. 15. 'Objectivity' in Social Science. 16. Basic Sociological Terms. Religion and Rationality. 17. The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism. Bureaucracy and Power. 18. The Distribution of Power Within the Political Community: Class, Status, Party. 19. The Types of Legitimate Domination. 20. Bureaucracy. Part V: Self and Society in Classical Social Theory. Introduction. 21. The Self. (George Herbert Mead). 22. The Stranger. (Georg Simmel). 23. Group Expansion and the Development of Individuality. (Georg Simmel). 24. Civilization and its Discontents. (Sigmund Freud). 25. The Souls of Black Folk. (W. E. B. Du Bois). Part VI: Critical Theory and the Sociology of Knowledge. Introduction. 26. Ideology and Utopia. (Karl Mannheim). 27. Traditional and Critical Theory. (Max Horkheimer). 28. The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction. (Walter Benjamin). 29. The Culture Industry. (Max Horkheimer and Theodore Adorno). 30. One Dimensional Man. (Herbert Marcuse). Part VII: Structural-Functional Analysis. Introduction. 31. The Position of Sociological Theory. (Talcott Parsons). 32. An Outline of the Social System. (Talcott Parsons). 33. Structural Components of the Social System. (Talcott Parsons). 34. Manifest and Latent Functions. (Robert Merton). 35. On Sociological Theories of the Middle Range. (Robert Merton). 36. Social Structure and Anomie. (Robert Merton). Index.

About the Author :
Craig Calhoun is University Professor and Professor of Sociology and History at New York University, and President of the Social Science Research Council. Joseph Gerteis is Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. James Moody is Associate Professor of Sociology at Duke University, North Carolina. Steven Pfaff is Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Washington. Indermohan Virk is Visiting Lecturer in Sociology at Indiana University, Bloomington.

Review :
Praise for the first edition: "Calhoun and his collaborators have produced the best theory reader there is." Philip Gorski, University of Wisconsin-Madison Praise for this edition: "Comprehensive but judicious, the editors have established the definitive canon of what is important in classical sociology. An invaluable contribution to teaching and to the appreciation of the classical tradition, the second edition is essential reading. Through its inclusive understanding of the history of social thought, it demonstrates forcefully why we should continue reading the classical texts." Bryan S. Turner , editor of The Cambridge Dictionary of Sociology