Rise Of Historical Sociology - Hardcover

Smith, D

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0877229198 ISBN 13: 9780877229193

Publisher: Temple University Press,U.S., 1991

Synopsis

In the aftermath of its near-demise by fascism and Stalinism, the resurgence of historical sociology has been one of the most important developments in contemporary sociology and history. Dennis Smith traces the spectacular growth of interest in social history in the West in a much-needed survey that combines lively critique of key works with a framework of interpretation for this intellectual field. He locates the 'second long wave' of historical sociology extending from the post-World War II era into the present and provides a reliable and informative guide to the most influential authors who have contributed to this field in recent times. Describing this discipline as the study of the past to find out how societies work and change, the author identifies three phases of postwar historical sociology. These periods were shaped by the battle with totalitarianism; the protest movements for student rights, Black Power, an end to the Vietnam War; the Women's Movement; and the fragmentation of the stable bipolar world of the Cold War. Within the context of these socio-political eras, Smith discusses the work of the following historical sociologists: Parsons, Smelser, Eisenstadt, Lipset, Marshall, Bendix, Bloch, Elias, Moore, Thompson, Skocpol, Tilly, Anderson, Wallerstein, Braudel, Mann, Runciman, and Giddens. Author note: Dennis Smith is Reader in Sociology at Aston University (UK).

About this title

Review:

"Fresh in conception, fair, and elegantly written, a valuable guide to historical work by sociologists." --Charles Tilly, New School for Social Research

From the Back Cover:

This book provides a much needed survey of one of the most important developments in contemporary sociology and history. The author traces the spectacular growth of historical sociology in the Anglo Saxon world together with lively criticism of key works in this intellectual field.
Smith locates a new `long wave′ of historical sociology within a definite historical and political context. He also provides a reliable and informative guide to the most important authors who have contributed to the subject in recent times. He argues that the most constructive contribution by historical sociologists has been a detailed exploration of patterns of social transformation within capitalist democracies.

About this edition

• Publisher: Temple University Press,U.S.
• Publication date: 1991
• ISBN 10: 0877229198
• ISBN 13: 9780877229193
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 1