Overview

This text reconstructs and brings together the work of a number of social and political theorists in order to gain insight on the emergence and character of modern Western society. It examines the intersection point of social theory and historical sociology in a theoretical approach called ""reflexive historical sociology"". There is analysis of the works of Max Weber, Michel Foucault, Norbert Elias, Eric Voegelin and a number of others. The book is divided into three parts. Part one examines the works of Eric Voegelin, Norbert Elias, Lewis Mumford and Franz Borkenau. Part two is concerned with the major conceptual tools such as experience, liminality, process, symbolization, figuration, order, dramatization and reflexivity, and themes such as the history of forms of thought, subjectivity, knowledge and closed space and regulated time. Finally the most important insights of the thinkers discussed, concerning the historical processes that led to modernity, are examined.

Full Product Details

9780415190510

Table of Contents

Reviews

'One cannot but hope that Szakolczai's ambitious, scholarly and stylish work will have the warm reception it deserves and that it will succeed in triggering genuine and fruitful debates.' - Angelos Mouzakitis, European Journal of Social Theory 4 (2)

Author Information

Arpad Szakolczai is Professor of Sociology at University College Cork.

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