Demonstrates the capacity of people to bestow and to esteem benevolence, and to strive for virtue even while they are pursuing their own self-interest. This book tells that the root of our motivation to act benevolently toward others is our natural propensity to sympathize with others.
In this provocative study, Paul du Gay makes a compelling case for the continuing importance of bureaucracy. Taking inspiration from the work of Max Weber, du Gay launches a staunch defence of `the bureaucratic ethos' and highlights its continuing relevance to the achievement of social order and good government in liberal democratic societies. ......
It's good to talk is one of the great clich[ac]es of our time. The benefits of talk to individuals, families and organizations are proclaimed by pop psychologists, television talk show hosts, and management gurus. The importance of talk is talked about endlessly. `Good to Talk? is an attempt to look critically at what lies behind this upsurge ......
This volume introduces over 30 years of Bauman''s work, providing a comprehensive and critical guide to one of the giants of 20th century social thought.'
A collection of writings by a fascinating thinker in the history of Marxism, Antonio Gramsci, who wrote on subjects from folklore to philosophy, popular culture to political strategy. The volume features an introduction by a leading Marxist historian, a biographical introduction and a glossary.
This four-volume set provides a complete guide to social theory from 1700 to 1920. The set is divided around eight essential issues which are of core concern to social theory: social action and basic processes of interaction; social institutions; social structure; social representations; social change; theoretical orientations; problems in the ......
Understanding Contemporary Society: Theories of the Present is a comprehensive textbook to guide students through the complexities of social theory today. Over 30 chapters, written by an international team of contributors, demonstrate clearly the practical applications of social theory in making sense of the modern world. Students are both ......
An overview of developments in social identity theory from scholars in the field. Dora Capozza and Rupert Brown bring together contributions which represent trends in a fast-moving field. Three major areas are addressed: theoretical contributions to the field; empirical assessments of key elements of the theory; and applications of social identity ......
A guide to critical realism and an assessment of its virtues in comparison with other leading traditions in social science. Andrew Sayer, a social theorist and a founder of "realism" in the social sciences, criticizes reductionism and determinism in "modernist" social science and rejects the postmodern for its overexaggeration of the permeable ......
