Informality : social theory and contemporary practice / Barbara A. Misztal.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Misztal, Barbara A.

Series:

International library of sociology.

International library of sociology

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Social interaction.

Social psychology.

Physical Description:

265 pages

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

London ; New York : Routledge, 2000.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

For most of the twentieth century, modernity has been characterised by the formalisation of social relations as face to face interactions are replaced by impersonal bureaucracy and finance. As we enter the new millennium, however, it becomes increasingly clear that it is only by stepping outside these formal structures that trust and co-operation can be created and social change achieved. In a brilliant theoretical tour de force, illustrated with sustained case studies of changing societies in the former eastern Europe and of changing forms of interaction within so-called virtual communities, Barbara Misztal, argues that only the society that achieves an appropriate balance between the informality and formality of interaction will find itself in a position to move forward to further democratisation and an improved quality of life.

Contents:

chapter Introduction: What use is the concept of informality?

part Part I Informality and its assets

chapter 1 Defining informality

chapter 2 The growing formlessness and unpredictability of social life

chapter 3 Informality and styles of interaction

part Part II Revealing the significance of informality

chapter 4 Explaining cooperation

chapter 5 Making music together

chapter 6 The dynamics of innovation

part Part III Informality in the changing world

chapter 7 Technology and informality

A connected world: towards a digital Utopia?

chapter 8 Political change and informality.

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Includes bibliographical references (p. [241]-258) and index.

ISBN:

1-134-73027-6

1-134-73028-4

1-280-33471-1

0-203-00362-4

9780203003626

OCLC:

475876784