Exchange, action, and social structure : elements of economic sociology / Milan Zafirovski.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Zafirovski, Milan, 1958-

Series:

Contributions in sociology ; no. 134.

Contributions in sociology, 0084-9278 ; no. 134

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Economics--Sociological aspects.

Economics.

Exchange--Social aspects.

Exchange.

Exchange theory (Sociology).

Physical Description:

1 online resource (296 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Westport, Conn. : Greenwood Press, 2001.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

This unique volume provides a new interpretation and synthesis of network exchange theory in an effort to contribute to a neo-Weberian economic sociology. Arguing against commonly held assumptions about network exchange theory and its interpretation of all social actions as economic exchanges, Zafirovski seeks to explain these processes by employing an interdisciplinary approach and by examining the impact of social and institutional structures on market-economic exchange. The author argues that economic structure, processes, and actions are the outcomes of social action and institutions, not the other way around. This rehabilitation of economic sociology begins with a reconsideration of the character, scope, and development of the field. The author then grounds his sociological approach to economic exchange in social action and structure before examining the role of social motivations in economic exchange. He then examines the political structuration, the cultural constitution, and the social construction of economic exchange and exchange cycles. The book concludes with a discussion of the character and variation of economic exchange in comparative social systems and the relationships of exchange, economic development, and social variables. This unique and persuasive book is an important contribution to the study of economic sociology and sociological theory.

Contents:

Intro

Acknowledgments

Introduction

1. An Overview of Economic Sociology

Another Look at Economic Sociology

The Social Constitution of the Economy

Characteristics of Neo-Weberian Economic Sociology

2. Applying a Sociological Approach to Economic Exchange

Grounding Economic Exchange on Social Action/Structure

Economic Anomalies or Normal Sociological Phenomena?

The Concept of Social Exchange Revised

A Note on Catallactics

3. Economic Exchange and Socially Formed Motivations

Extrinsic and Intrinsic Motivation in Economic Exchange

The Social Construction of the Role of Money in Economic Exchange

Money and Non-Monetary Motivation in Economic Exchange

Institutional Motivations versus Propensities for Exchanging

Social Motivation in Non-Market Modes of Economic Exchange

4. The Political Structuration of Economic Exchange

Political Institutions and Economic Exchange

The State and Economic Exchange

The Impact of Other Political Factors on Economic Exchange

Political Ideology and Economic Exchange

Markets as Power Constellations

An Instance of the Political Structuration of Economic Exchange

5. The Cultural Constitution of Economic Exchange

Exchange as a Cultural Creation

Exchange and Moral Norms

Exchange and Traditions

Cultural Foundations of the Spirit and Practice of Capitalism

Instances of the Cultural Construction of Exchange

6. The Institutional Organization of Labor Markets (Income Distribution)

The (Neo)Classical Economic Theory of Distribution

Institutional Influences on Income Distribution

Post-Materialistic Tendencies in Labor Markets and Society

(Labor) Markets as Institutional Arrangements

7. The Social Construction of Exchange (Business) Cycles

Exchange Cycles in (Neo)Classical Economics

Exchange Cycles as Social Phenomena.

Exchange Cycles in Retrospect

Inflation versus Unemployment

8. Economic Exchange in Comparative Social Systems

Social Processes in the Rise of Capitalism

The State and the Expansion of Capitalism

Protestantism and Modern Capitalism

Exchange in Traditional and Capitalist Societies

Exchange in Post-Socialist Societies

9. Exchange, Economic Development, and Social Variables

Economic Development in (Neo)Classical Economics

Social and Other Determinants of Economic Development

Developed versus Developing Societies

The Growth Residual Reinterpreted

Exchange Processes and Economic Development

Conclusion

Bibliography

Index.

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Includes bibliographical references (p. 249-275) and index.

ISBN:

9780313076138

0313076138

OCLC:

70767645