Karl Marx, Émile Durkheim, and Max Weber are indispensable for understanding the sociological enterprise. They are among the chief founders of the discipline and among the foremost theorists of modernity, and their work can stimulate readers to reflect on their own identities and worldviews. Classical Social Theory and Modern Society introduces students to these three thinkers and shows their continued relevance today. The first chapter sets the stage by situating the work of Marx, Durkheim, and Weber in the context of three modernizing revolutions: the Enlightenment, the French Revolution of 1789, and the Industrial Revolution. Three overview chapters follow that summarize the key ideas of each thinker, focusing on their contributions to the development of sociology and their conceptions of modern society. The last portion of the book explores the thinking of Marx, Durkheim, and Weber on four themes—the pathologies of modern society, the predicament of the modern individual, the state and democracy, and socialism versus capitalism. These thematic chapters place Marx, Durkheim, and Weber in dialogue with one another, offering students the opportunity to wrestle with conflicting ideas on issues that are still significant today. Classical sociology is essential to the teaching of sociology and also an invaluable tool in the education of citizens.

This comprehensive collection of classical sociological theory is a definitive guide to the roots of sociology from its undisciplined beginnings to its current influence on contemporary sociological debate. Explores influential works of Marx, Durkheim, Weber, Mead, Simmel, Freud, Du Bois, Adorno, Marcuse, Parsons, and Merton Editorial introductions lend historical and intellectual perspective to the substantial readings Includes a new section with new readings on the immediate "pre-history" of sociological theory, including the Enlightenment and de Tocqueville Individual reading selections are updated throughout

Classical and Modern Social Theory is comprehensive introduction to the field, covering a wide historical range of thinkers, from the classical to the postmodernist, as well as key themes in social theory and a guide to the major debates. Designed for students with little or no background in social theory, this single volume covering both classic and contemporary theory introduces the basic concepts at the center of social theory in accessible language and provides readers with a useful reference source to the field.

Lively, direct, readable, and clear, this is an introductory textbook designed to introduce students at a basic level to social theory, concentrating on the founding thinkers of sociology. To contemporary students, the thought of Marx, Weber, Durkheim, and Simmel may seem out of date and irrelevant compared to the more pressing questions posed by issues of race, gender, and the environment, but in this book Ian Craib compellingly shows the value of studying these classic thinkers.Providing an account of their key ideas, Dr Craib establishes their contemporary relevance and enduring significance in terms of their contribution to understanding contemporary problems. Indispensably for an introductory textbook, this is a jargon-free read, written in a direct, personal style making it easy to understand and empathise with. A thematic structure aids comprehension and encourages readers to compare the theorists more systematically. Students will also appreciate thebook-by-book approach, where Ian Craib plays close attention to each of the thinkers' key texts, quoting long passages and devoting subsections to unpacking various texts in a stratightforward way. Other student-friendly features include biographical details and an elementary overview of the work of Marx, Weber, Durkheim, and Simmel; a Dramatis Personae at the end of the book, with brief details of the life and thought of other relvevant thinkers; and a Glossary covering important terms andphrases used in the text.

Classical Theory and Modern Studies discusses the ideas and insights of major figures in the classical period of sociological theory, and explores their continuing relevance to contemporary sociology.

This book's individual entries introduce, explain and contextualise the key topics within classical social theory. Definitions, summaries and key words are developed throughout with careful cross-referencing allowing students to move effortlessly between core ideas and themes. Each entry provides: ' Clear definitions ' Lucid accounts of key issues ' Up-to-date suggestions for further reading ' Informative cross-referencing Relevant, focused and accessible this book will provide students with an...

Living Theory: The Application of Classical Social Theory to Contemporary Life, 2nd edition analyzes major features of modern society from the classical theory point of view, and suggests how modern life might be explained from this viewpoint. The author examines the works of four classical figures - Marx, Durkheim, Simmel, and Weber - because of their continuing influence on social theory, and because they addressed many of the central issues we confront in modern society. Topics new to this edition include: New electronic technologies The battle over valued property The role of trust in society Governmental secrecy Trafficking in human organs