Norbert Elias and modern social theory / Dennis Smith.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Smith, Dennis, 1945-

Series:

Theory, culture & society (Unnumbered)

Theory, culture & society

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Elias, Norbert, 1897-1990.

Elias, Norbert.

Sociology--Philosophy.

Sociology.

Civilization--Philosophy.

Civilization.

Sociology--Europe--History--20th century.

Sociologists--Biography.

Sociologists.

Elias, Norbert, 1897---Influence.

History.

Europe.

Local Subjects:

Elias, Norbert, 1897---Influence.

Genre:

Biographies.

Physical Description:

x, 198 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm.

Other Title:

Norbert Elias & modern social theory

Place of Publication:

London ; Thousand Oaks, Calif. : SAGE Publications, 2001.

Summary:

Norbert Elias was one of the great sociologists of the 20th century. His theory of the civilizing process is widely recognized as a seminal contribution to sociological understanding. He also developed a distinctive approach to social study, which he termed figurational or process sociology.

Dennis Smith offers a fascinating survey of Elias's life and writings and traces the growth of his reputation. He is the first author to confront Elias's work with the contrasting theories of Talcott Parsons, Hannah Arendt, Michel Foucault and Zygmunt Bauman. He also illustrates how Elias's insights can be applied to understand Western modernity and social and political change. Smith shows why Elias is important for sociology, but he is also clear sighted about the limitations of Elias's approach. The book will be required reading for anyone interested in social theory today.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

0761961070

0761961089

OCLC:

45437585