Classical Sociological Theory

by Craig Calhoun (Editor), Joseph Gerteis (Editor), James Moody (Editor), Steven Pfaff (Editor), Indermohan Virk (Editor)

Overview

A world-class introduction to the historical and continuing impact of classical theory on sociological debate 

The latest edition of Classical Sociological Theory offers students a definitive guide to the theoretical foundations of sociology and the continuing impact of the ideas explored by early theorists, including Marx, Durkheim, Weber, Mead, Simmel, Freud, Du Bois, Adorno, Marcuse, Parsons, and Merton. The prestigious editors have integrated several readings on the most influential theories arising out of the Enlightenment era and the work of de Tocqueville. 

Readers are introduced to seminal works in classical sociological theory by way of editorial introductions that lend historical and intellectual perspective to the included readings. The readings themselves have been selected based on their combinations of theoretical sophistication and accessibility. From analyses of self and society to examinations of critical theory and structural-functional analysis, Classical Sociological Theory remains the gold standard in classical theory readers. 

The Fourth Edition of this widely taught book includes: 

• Selections that trace the history of classical sociological theory, from its undisciplined roots to its modern influence on contemporary sociological debate 
• Readings describing the “pre-history” of sociology, including ideas from the Enlightenment and de Tocqueville 
• Editorial introductions that place selected works firmly in their intellectual, philosophical, and historical contexts for the benefit of the student 
• A distinguished and scholarly team of editors with a wide and deep range of expertise 

Perfect for undergraduate and graduate students of social and sociological theory, Classical Sociological Theory is also a thought-provoking resource ideal for use in courses taught in human geography, anthropology, criminology, and urban studies programs. 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781119527367
Publisher:	Wiley
Publication date:	04/25/2022
Edition description:	4th ed.
Pages:	576
Product dimensions:	6.90(w) x 9.80(h) x 1.40(d)

About the Author

Craig Calhoun is University Professor of Social Sciences at Arizona State University, USA and former Director of the London School of Economics and President of the Social Science Research Council.

Joseph Gerteis is Professor of Sociology and co-Director of the American Mosaic Project at the University of Minnesota, USA. His research focuses on race, ethnicity, and political culture.

James Moody is Professor of Sociology at Duke University, USA, and Director of the Duke Network Analysis Center. His work focuses on the network foundations of social cohesion and diffusion.

Steven Pfaff is Professor of Sociology at the University of Washington, USA. His research focuses on religion, politics and social change.

Indermohan Virk is Executive Director of the Patten Foundation and the Poynter Center for the Study of Ethics and American Institutions at Indiana University Bloomington, USA.

Table of Contents

Notes on the Editors ix

Acknowledgments xi

General Introduction 1

Part I Precursors to Sociological Theory 25

Introduction to Part I 27

1 Of the Natural Condition and the Commonwealth (from Leviathan) Thomas Hobbes 36

2 Of the Social Contract (from The Social Contract) Jean-Jacques Rousseau 44

3 What is Enlightenment? (from Immanuel Kant, The Philosophy of Kant) Immanuel Kant 55

4 The Wealth of Nations (from The Wealth of Nations) Adam Smith 60

Part II Liberal Theories of Social Order 71

Introduction to Part II 73

5 Influence of Democracy on the Feelings of the Americans (from Democracy in America) Alexis de Tocqueville 83

6 Tyranny of the Majority (from Democracy in America) Alexis de Tocqueville 102

7 What Sort of Despotism Democratic Nations Have to Fear (from Democracy in America) Alexis de Tocqueville 112

8 Society in America (from Society in America) Harriet Martineau 118

9 "A Belated Industry" Jane Addams 126

10 Freedom in a Complex Society (from The Great Transformation) Karl Polanyi 133

Part III The Sociological Theory of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels 141

Introduction to Part III 143

11 The German Ideology (from The German Ideology Part One) Karl Marx Friedrich Engels 154

12 Economic and Philosophic Manuscripts of 1884 (from Collected Works, Vol 3) Karl Marx 158

13 Manifesto of the Communist Party (from Collected Works, Vol 6) Karl Marx Friedrich Engels 168

14 Wage-Labour and Capital (from Karl Marx: Selected Works) Karl Marx 183

15 Classes (from Collected Works, Vol 37) Karl Marx 191

16 The Fetishism of Commodities and the Secret Thereof (from Capital, An Abridged Edition) Karl Marx 193

17 The General Formula for Capital (from Capital, An Abridged Edition) Karl Marx 198

Part IV The Sociological Theory of Emile Durkheim 203

Introduction to Part IV 205

18 The Rules of Sociological Method (from The Rules of Sociological Method) Emile Durkheim 211

19 The Division of Labor in Society (from The Division of Labor in Society) Emile Durkheim 228

20 The Elementary Forms of the Religious Life (from Elementary forms of the Religious Life) Emile Durkheim 250

21 Suicide (from Suicide: A Study in Sociology) Emile Durkheim 262

Part V The Sociological Theory of Max Weber 271

Introduction to Part V 273

22 "Objectivity" in Social Science (from The Methodology of the Social Sciences) Max Weber 279

23 Basic Sociological Terms (from The Theory of Social and Economic Organization) Max Weber 286

24 The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism (from Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism with Other Writings on the Rise of the West) Max Weber 296

25 The Distribution of Power within the Political Community: Class, Status, Party (from Max Weber: Essays in Sociology) Max Weber 314

26 The Types of Legitimate Domination (from The Theory of Social and Economic Organization) Max Weber 323

27 Bureaucracy (from Max Weber: Essays in Sociology) Max Weber 331

Part VI Self and Society 341

Introduction to Part VI 343

28 The Self (from Mind, Self and Society: From the Standpoint of a Social Behaviorist) George Herbert Mead 348

29 The Stranger (from Georg Simmel: On Individuality and Social Forms) Georg Simmel 361

30 The Triad (from The Sociology of Georg Simmel) Georg Simmel 366

31 The Metropolis and Mental Life (from Georg Simmel on Individuality and Social Forms) Georg Simmel 372

32 The Souls of Black Folk (from The Souls of Black Folk) W.E.B. Du Bois 381

33 The Damnation of Women (from W.E.B. Du Bois A Reader) W.E.B. Du Bois 387

Part VII Critical Theory 397

Introduction to Part VII 399

34 Traditional and Critical Theory (from Critical Theory: Selected Essays) Max Horkheimer 406

35 The Culture Industry (from The Dialectic of Enlightenment) Max Horkheimer Theodor W. Adorno 418

36 One-Dimensional Man (from One-Dimensional Man: Studies in the Ideology of Advanced Industrial Society) Herbert Marcuse 430

37 "Reflections on Violence" Hannah Arendt 438

Part VIII Sociology of Knowledge 445

Introduction to Part VIII 447

38 Ideology and Utopia (from Ideology and Utopia) Karl Mannheim 451

39 The Social Construction of Reality (from The Social Construction of Reality: A Treatise in the Sociology of Knowledge) Peter L. Berger Thomas Luckmann 462

40 The Phenomenology of the Social World (from The Phenomenology of the Social World) Alfred Schutz 471

Part IX Functionalism 483

Introduction to Part IX 485

41 The Position of Sociological Theory (from The Position of Sociological Theory) Talcott Parsons 491

42 Manifest and Latent Functions (from Social Theory and Social Structure) Robert K. Merton 498

43 "Social Structure and Anomie" Robert K. Merton 505

Part X Social Exchange 513

Introduction to Part X 515

44 Social Behavior as Exchange George C. Romans 520

45 Exchange and Power in Social Life (from Exchange and Power in Social Life) Peter M. Blau 531

Index 543

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"This updated collection offers a careful and comprehensive overview and assessment of classical sociological theory from the precursors to the mid-twentieth century. It is a decisive guide to the history and development of social thought."
—Bryan S. Turner, Presidential Professor of Sociology CUNY

"With this new edition of Classical Sociological Theory Calhoun and his collaborators have produced the best theory reader there is."
—Philip Gorski, Yale University

Editorial Reviews

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

From the Publisher