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SECTION 1
Benton, Ted, Philosophical Foundations of the Three Sociologies, London:
Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1977
This is an effective book on the relationship between philosophy and the
social sciences. Benton begins by investigating an understanding of what is
meant by philosophy, its link to the physical and natural sciences, and
possible alternative explanations. The main thrust of this work is an analysis of
positivist explanations of social life. Comte’s epistemological and empiricist
sociology gives way to an explanation of 20th-century positivism, or,
according to Benton, logical empiricism. An account of the positivism applied
in the natural sciences takes on board issues such as notions of realism versus
phenomenonalism, and confirmationism versus falsificationism. Next, the
author evaluates Durkheim’s ‘rules’ of sociological method, making
observations on the relationship between social facts and the necessity of
science, and social facts and the autonomy of sociology. Kantian and neoKantian philosophical explanations are then provided before Benton
addresses Weber’s interpretivism, and Marx’s economic determinism. Finally,
the author draws comparisons between the materialism found in Marx and
Durkheim’s respective theories, and attempts to establish the possibility of a
realist and materialist defence of a proposed ‘natural science’ of history; one
which avoids what the author argues are the fundamental flaws of
interpretivist and positivist philosophy.
Boyne, Roy and Rattansi, Ali (eds), Postmodernism and Society, Basingstoke:
Macmillan, 1990
This is a useful text of edited articles by a range of sociologists, both
supporters and critics of postmodernist theory. The first article charts the
initial development of postmodernist theory and its subsequent growth. Other
essays in this book link postmodernism with the development of language,
fashion, the arts, architecture and feminism. There is an interesting critical
argument concerning what the author (Callinicos) believes to be the often
reactionary nature of that particular theory. The editors, as well as many of the
contributors to this text, have, nevertheless, provided an important discussion
of the sociological, political and economic relevance of postmodernism,
particularly in relation to stratification as a result of race and gender.
Callinicos, Alex, Making History: Agency, Structure and Change in Social
Theory, Cambridge: Polity Press, 1987
In this book, Callinicos provides a critical Marxist account of the historical
development of social theory and human relationships with social structures.
He provides a solid description of concepts such as social structure and
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historical materialism, and compares them with interpretivist and utilitarian
theories of social action. A key part of the author’s work, here, is a critical
discussion of ideology and power, including that exercised by nations, states
and the military. He critiques these with reference to the way the latter use a
dominant hegemony to ensure that a capitalist superstructure maintains
control over the economic infrastructure by portraying it as both inevitable
and ‘common sense’. Callinicos offers revolutionary alternatives to what he
sees as this type of ‘blinkered’, shortsighted hegemony. A substantial portion
of this book is used to tear apart what Callinicos views as ‘watered-down’ (and
hence a misinterpretation of orthodox) Marxism, such as that argued by
‘analytical Marxists’, including Althusser, Habermas, etc. He is also highly
critical of theories such as the post-structuralism of Foucault, and Giddens’
structuration.
This is a very useful text with which students can access critical, radical
sociology.
Coser, Lewis A, Masters of Sociological Thought: Ideas in Historical and
Social Context, New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1971
This book provides a very useful overview of positivist and interpretivist
theories and theorists from the sociological world, notably amongst the
‘founding fathers’. Thus, Auguste Comte, Karl Marx, Herbert Spencer, Emile
Durkheim, Georg Simmel, Max Weber, Thorstein Veblen, Charles Horton
Cooley, Robert Ezra Park, Vilfredo Pareto and Karl Mannheim provide a
distinguished list of sociologists/philosophers whose work, to varying
degrees, has shaped the sociological thinking throughout the world. Coser
breaks the book down into individual chapters on each theorist, and then
evaluates what he argues are four key areas of each individual’s life and work.
Beginning with an analysis of the theoretical premise of each theorist, he sets
out their respective intellectual arguments for understanding social behaviour
in human societies. Further, Coser’s text is very useful for the reader, as he
places his synopsis of the work of the aforementioned in the context of their
research methodologies, their individual social circumstances that may have
influenced their patterns of thought, as well as the wider social context within
which their work was conducted. This book is also useful in terms of its
‘Foreword’, which is written by that major exponent of functionalist theory,
Robert K Merton.
Crow, Graham, Comparative Sociology and Social Theory: Beyond the
Three Worlds, Basingstoke: Macmillan, 1997
This book provides a revaluation of world trends as a result of the collapse of
the ‘second (Soviet-style communist) world’. Since this collapse in the late
1980s/early 1990s, Crow argues that relations both within and between
different states and different ‘worlds’ has changed fundamentally. Making use
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of the contributions of classical and contemporary social theorists, the author
makes an informative comparative analysis of the world before and in the
current era of globalisation. He takes the reader through a chronological
discussion of the making of the ‘modern’ world; the development and
proliferation of different forms of capitalism (organised and disorganised); the
rise of and contradictions in the state (both capitalist and Stalinist); and the
mixed experience of the third world, and how the world is perceived to be in
the current era of globalisation. Crow ends this comparative analysis by
discussing the increasing unpredictability that globalisation brings, and the
challenge that this brings for sociology and social theory.
Giddens, Anthony, Capitalism and Modern Social Theory: An analysis of the
writings of Marx, Durkheim and Max Weber, Cambridge: Cambridge
University Press, 1971
In this book, Giddens provides an analytical account of the works and theories
of three of the ‘founding fathers’ of sociology – the diametrically opposed
forms of structuralism of Marx and Durkheim, and the interpretivism of
Weber. Giddens takes each of these three theorists in turn, beginning with a
critical discussion of their early writings and key themes drawn from them,
and how these themes were developed in subsequent publications. Thus, the
chapter on Marx discusses class relations and capitalist development; the
chapter on Durkheim, sociological method, individualism and religious and
moral discipline; and the chapter on Weber, the impetus Protestantism gave to
capitalism, rationalisation, and religion and Western capitalism. Giddens
completes this book with a chapter demonstrating Marx’s influence on the
development of social theory, and tackles the notion of social differentiation
and divisions of labour.
Giddens, Anthony, The Constitution of Society, Cambridge: Polity Press, 1984
In this work, as in many of his works, Giddens attempts to overcome the
divisions between both structural and action explanations, arguing that each
such explanation is indistinguishable from the other. It is due to this that he
uses the term ‘structuration’ – an indication that by definition one demands
an input by the other. To support his argument, Giddens applies his theory to
a small range of explanations, for example, verbal and written communication.
His point is that language is a structure, or set of rules, whereby people are
able to communicate effectively. However, language also demands a degree of
human agency and, as such, has the ability to be transformed to some degree
by its use by agents over time. Giddens’ explanations in this book move on to
the rules and resources of structure, different social systems and the role of
agency in the reproduction of such things as knowledge and the ability to
transform society through social action.
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Goffman, Erving, Asylums. Essays on the Social Situation of Mental Patients
and Other Inmates, Harmondsworth: Penguin, 1961
A classic work of Goffman’s, Asylums consists of four essays that continue his
interpretivist tradition of understanding human behaviour. Indeed, Goffman is
concerned in this book to interpret the experiences of patients and inmates
within psychiatric institutions, rather than provide some justification for
structured and compulsory care within them. Thus, his research is that of an
observer, choosing not to be associated with the formal rules of the system/
institution that keeps them confined. This collection of essays was based on
research undertaken over a three-year period, and consisted of brief studies of
ward behaviour, participation in an academic institution, and fieldwork at a
psychiatric hospital. The latter consisted of a degree of participant
observation, though with significant limitations recognised by Goffman. The
essays, in turn, begin by discussing the characteristics of the institutions; then
what he calls the pursuit of a ‘moral career’ by the mental patient; the third is
the actual (‘participant’) observational study; and, finally, an explanation of
the ‘medical model’ of psychiatric hospitalisation.
NB: This is a very useful book for those students who undertake the Research
unit, particularly in relation to Goffman’s explanation of the problems
associated with his own primary qualitative research.
Goldblatt, David (ed.), Knowledge and the Social Sciences: Theory, Method,
Practice, London: Routledge/The Open University, 2000
This textbook, produced for a level 1 introduction to social sciences courses
with the Open University, is ideally suited to the equivalent level of Advanced
Higher. It provides an innovative and novel approach to social scientific
thinking, concerning itself with differences between what might be perceived
as knowledge, and the perception and meaning of that knowledge in different
contexts. For example, Chapter 1, ‘Science and society: knowledge in
medicine’, outlines the changes that medical knowledge (and knowledge
about medicine) has undergone over time, and how medical knowledge in
one country/culture might not be accepted as legitimate in another. In the
first instance, homeopathic medicines, which have experienced a substantial
revival in recent years, was argued to be archaic, ignorant, and unacceptable
for many years – certainly since the ‘medicalisation’ of health. In the second
instance, some cultures might, perhaps quite rightly, be suspicious of Western
attempts to press such a medical health model on them. One such example is
a French pharmaceutical company in the 1990s pressing the notion on
developing and under-developed cultures to use their brand of powdered
milk for feeding babies, rather than the mothers’ naturally produced milk, on
the grounds that the synthetic milk was healthier. This was not the case! Other
chapters include discussions and debate relating to positivist and interpretivist
approaches to religion, different forms of knowledge relating to the
environment, and how societies appear to have become more fragmented.
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Hollis, Martin, The Philosophy of Social Science: An Introduction,
Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1994
This interdisciplinary text provides a good introduction to social scientific
philosophy, including both the positivist versus interpretivist and structure
versus action debates. Its usefulness is underlined by the way the author
demonstrates some of the linkages between social science subjects in terms of
their respective approaches to a variety of topics, such as power relations, the
foundations of knowledge, etc. Chapters of particular relevance include
Chapter 1, ‘Problems of Structure and Action’, which begins with a look at
ancient philosophy and then moves on to ‘The Enlightenment’, and the
different forms of determinism of Hobbes, Locke, Mills and Marx. Weber’s
explanation of rationality and social action is also addressed. Chapter 3,
‘Positive science: the empiricist way’, discusses such social science questions
relating to probability and logical positivism. With a reasonably in-depth
analysis of Rouget’s work, Hollis describes how positivist theorists tend to
have a reliance on ‘hard’ or quantitative data than ‘soft’ or qualitative data.
Chapter 7, ‘Understanding social action’, discusses the notion of human
action having four kinds of meaning, such as the expression of intention and
emotion; the distinction between the meaning of an action and what the actor
means by it; normative versus rational expectations; and concrete
understanding versus interpretive understanding. Other chapters relate to
such issues as the definition between explanations and understanding and
rationality and relativism.
NB: Aspects of this text will provide some use for those students undertaking
the Research unit.
McLellan, David, Karl Marx: Selected Writings, Oxford: Oxford University
Press, 1977
McLellan’s highly comprehensive volume of a large portion of Marx’s work
covers the latter’s very early theoretical pronouncements to some of his last
publications. This edition also includes some of the correspondence between
Marx and like-minded thinkers of that time, which helps us gain a context to
some degree to Marx’s writings. Included within this volume are abridged
versions of his work criticising Hegel’s Philosophy of Right, his Economic and
Philosophical Manuscripts, The German Ideology, The Communist Manifesto,
Grundrisse, and Capital. This book also includes a very useful chronology and
bibliography for further material.
Reiss, Edward, Marx: A Clear Guide, London: Pluto Press, 1997
This is an interesting and, as the title suggests, clear guide to Marx, both the
individual and the inspirational social/economic theorist. The book begins by
providing a backdrop to Marx’s experience as a developing ‘sociologist’, and a
useful chronology of events is included. The author then approaches Marx’s
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theory with a sympathetic eye, tackling many of the key theoretical issues,
such as alienation, class, capitalism, revolution, socialism and communism,
and ideology. Reiss also seeks to clarify Marx’s position on issues such as
gender, colonialism and religion, as well as what Marx would have been likely
to conclude on the adoption and application of his theory by the Soviet
Union. He ends this text by discussing the validity, relevance and attraction of
Marxism in the contemporary period.
Ritzer, George, Sociological Theory, second edition, New York: Alfred A
Knopf, 1988
This is a comprehensive text in terms of its coverage of a range of key
sociological thinkers since the development of sociology as an academic
discipline. The book is divided into two parts, classical sociological theory
and contemporary sociological theory. Part One begins with an overview of
industrial development, urbanisation, the rise of socialism, and the growth of
sociology in France, Britain, Italy and Germany. This is followed by detailed
chapters covering Marx, Durkheim, Weber and Simmel; each of which
addresses their respective theories and methods. Part Two identifies and
discusses later sociological developments, such as the rise and fall of the
Chicago School of Sociology, the ascendancy of Marxist sociology, and the
introduction of theories such as structuralism and post-structuralism, as well as
the challenge presented by feminist theory. Chapters in this section discuss
structural functionalism (Parsons, Merton), neo-functionalism (Alexander,
Colomy), neo-Marxism (Lukacs, Gramsci, Habermas, Althusser, Poulantzas),
symbolic interactionism (Mead, Blumer, Goffman), phenomenology (Husserl,
Schutz) and ethnomethodology (Schegloff, Garfinkel), exchange theory
(Durkheim, Levi-Strauss, Homans) and behavioural sociology (Skinner), and
feminist theory (Bernard, Smith). The book’s final two chapters discuss what
the author sees as recent developments in sociological theory (i.e. poststructuralism and existentialism) including the emergence of a ‘central
problem’; what he calls the macro-micro link. Ritzer discusses a range of
theories in the last chapter, including Giddens’ structuration, Habermas’
integration of action and systems theory, humanist and structuralist
integration, and ‘methodological individualism’.
Rossides, Daniel W, The History and Nature of Sociological Theory, Boston,
MA: Houghton Mifflin, 1978
This text begins with an interpretive framework, within which sociology is
introduced in terms of its development alongside the liberalist political and
economic tradition. What the author argues is that because of the
developments from ancient Greek civilisation to the age of Enlightenment and
beyond, Europe underwent a long and sustained period of transformation that
allowed the rationalism, and with that, the positivism and interpretivism of
sociology to foster. Rossides covers a whole swathe of theorists of largely
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functionalist and social action sociological leanings. His work, whilst rather
comprehensive in terms of its coverage of liberalist theory, is weak in its
coverage of more radical positivist theories, covering both Marx and Marxist
theory in the space of a few pages in a 500-word plus text. This should not,
however, preclude this book as a useful sociology resource, as its critical
conclusions of each theorist/theory, along with their respective empiricist and
interpretivist strengths and weaknesses, are well laid out.
Toffler, Alvin, Future Shock, London: Pan, 1970
Though somewhat dated, and rather a populist version of sociology, this book
does provide some useful discussion of how sociologists try to identify future
trends by reference to the past and the present. Toffler, looking at both
structures and social action, deals with a wide range of topics, such as
unrestrained technological development, urbanisation, religion, biology,
gender, the family, sexuality sub-cultures, art, broadly accessible knowledge,
and democracy, to name but a few. In so doing, he makes many assumptions
about the direction that the world will travel considering the pace with which
it is travelling. His book was somewhat controversial at its initial publication,
due to the relative candidness with which he discussed topics such as divorce,
homosexuality, etc. A key theme throughout this book is that human society is
becoming ever more transient as a result of the unremitting pace of
technology; this, he suggests, is likely to have an increasing psychological
impact on us, as our senses become increasingly over-stimulated and more
stressed. This, he argues, is likely to make us ‘victims of future shock’ – the
uncertainty of what the developments of tomorrow might bring.
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SECTION 2
Abbott, Pamela and Wallace, Claire, An Introduction to Sociology: Feminist
Perspectives, London: Routledge, 1990
Abbott and Wallace begin with a critique of what they see as having been the
development of a sociology dominated by a ‘malestream’ approach. This book
provides a reasonably in-depth discussion of how girls/women have been
discriminated against in many areas of social life, both ‘public’ and ‘private’.
These areas include education, health, work, politics and the family, as well as
in judicial processes, citing the criminal justice system as being particularly
patriarchal in nature. The authors provide a range of feminist theories that are
used to challenge the common sense and even sociological assumptions about
the role of women in society. This is a very useful text in the way in which it
is set out very much like a standard introductory sociology text, but with a
focus on the half of the population that generally gets short-shrift in most
introductory sociology texts.
Adorno, Theodor et al, The Authoritarian Personality, New York: Harper,
1950
Adorno, like many from The Frankfurt School, was influenced by the works of
Marx and Freud. Thus, his classic study looks not just at the social or
structural influences that foster racism, but also the psychological. Adorno
effectively carries out a form of triangulation in his research, by providing first
questionnaires, and then following this up with more in-depth interviews of a
smaller sample of respondents. The research seeks to understand why some
people have or assume ‘authoritarian personalities’ – the submission of one’s
self to those in authority and the hostility to those who do not. Part of
Adorno’s study attempts to make sense of why many German people under
Hitler were so willing to acquiesce either directly in the atrocities caused by
the Nazi regime, or willingly turn a blind eye to what appeared to be obvious
in retrospect.
NB: This study will be invaluable to students who wish to undertake the
Research unit, as it demonstrates examples of different research methods.
Anderson, Margaret, Thinking About Women: Sociological Perspectives on
Sex and Gender, second edition, London: Macmillan, 1988
Anderson’s book is set out in three parts, and generally takes the form of an
introductory textbook; however, an introductory textbook that approaches a
whole range of social issues and social institutions from a feminist
perspective. Part 1 is about how sociological perspectives have sought to
explain women’s lives, covering such areas as sexism and the social
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construction of knowledge, and sex, gender and culture. Part 2 is interested
in providing explanations of women’s experience of economic relations, such
as work (public and private) and the family, as well as health and
reproduction, religion, and how women fare in the criminal justice system as
both victims and perpetrators of crime. Part 3 looks forward to alternatives to
‘malestream’ views in both society and sociology. Thus, Anderson
demonstrates two competing means of effecting change for women: the
reformism of ‘liberal’ feminist perspectives, and the radical alternatives of
socialist, Marxist and radical feminism.
Bauman, Zygmunt, Globalization: The Human Consequences, Cambridge:
Polity Press, 1998
Bauman’s analysis of globalisation provides a compelling discussion of the
contradictions that emerge from it, such as cultural ‘hybridisation’, the
globalisation of the world’s elites (e.g. multinational/transnational
corporations), which are in the minority, against the ‘localisation’ of the
majority of the world’s people. Covering issues such as class and polarisation,
the changing global map, the role of the nation-state, consumerism and its
impact on the world’s poor, and international law, Bauman provides a
relatively brief (134 pages) but effective overview of the impact globalisation
has on human beings.
Brown, Phillip and Lauder, Hugh, Capitalism and Social Progress: The
Future of Society in a Global Economy, London: Palgrave, 2001
This book provides a critical account of what might be referred to as the ‘third
way’ policies of the ‘New’ Labour and ‘new’ Democrat policies in Britain and
the United States, respectively. They press the argument that despite
profoundly innovative improvements in technology, and the argument that
globalisation will help alleviate all of the ills of the world, such as poverty,
and its close relations, under-development, scarce food resources and
homelessness, for example, what has indeed happened, is that far from being
able to eradicate these terrible global inequalities, technological innovations
and globalisation have actually helped to ensure that there is a heightening
social polarisation in the wealthy West. This, despite both the US and the UK
being wealthier nations than at any time in their respective histories,
according to Brown and Lauder.
Castles, Stephen and Kosack, Godula, Immigrant Workers and Class
Structure in Western Europe, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1973
This Marxist view of comparative migration patterns of four Western European
countries provides a stark contrast to the ‘immigrant-host’ perspective of The
Chicago School. The emphasis of Castles’ and Kosack’s study is that capitalism
and not cultural differences accounts for poor race relations between ‘host’
populations and immigrants. This study finds substantial similarities in the
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inequalities experienced by immigrants in each of the case studies. What is of
real importance in this book is the attention that the authors give to the way
they see the capitalist system ‘passing the buck’ for its own inadequacies,
contradictions and failures to those of the immigrant minority, who are
viewed by the ‘host’ working class as a highly visible source of cheap labour
who undermine and undercut the jobs of those of the ‘host’ population. As
such, racism is accepted, and even justified by both the working class, and
many in wider society, as a means of protecting a national way of life,
including jobs, homes, etc., for nationals. Castles and Kosack contend that as
well as encouraging the working class to blame immigrants for what is in
reality the unworkable nature of the capitalist system, this state of affairs also
serves to ensure that a wedge is driven into the working class, thus
undermining its ability to seriously challenge capitalism.
Centre for Contemporary Cultural Studies (CCCS) Race and Politics Group,
The Empire Strikes Back: Race and Racism in 70s Britain, London:
Hutchinson, 1982
This book is an edited collection of articles from a host of respected
sociologists who have ascribed a neo-Marxist approach to their respective
essays. The text begins with an outline of what they perceive to be the main
thrust of this approach, namely that although colonialism was a significant
determinant of racist sentiment and action, the latter does, in fact, have a
history that pre-dates the former. What sets the CCCS out from a classical
Marxist approach is that, whilst they see capitalism as an exploiter of migrant
labour as a significant part of the problem, particularly in the 1970s period of
economic crises, there are other historical, political and cultural factors
(racial, ethnic and class) that are to blame. What the authors conclude is that
what appears to be fashioning racism, particularly amongst the working class,
was a move away from biological arguments about the superiority of the white
race to one largely built upon an establishment of cultural and/or national
superiority.
Commission on Global Governance, Our Global Neighbourhood: The Report
on the Commission on Global Governance, Oxford: Oxford University Press,
1995
This report was commissioned by the 28-member state commission to not only
provide a broader understanding of global issues that affect the world today,
but also to provide a general blueprint for better global governance of issues
such as the environment, poverty, development, national and global security,
economic trends and international power relationships. The report is fairly
comprehensive, acting as a message to all of the world’s leaders to pay heed
to their often very damaging nationally orientated policy decisions.
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Daniels, Peter et al (eds), Human Geography: Issues for the 21st Century,
Harlow: Prentice Hall, 2001
This human geography textbook provides the reader with a broad range of
related issues of globalisation and development for the 21st century. The book
is broken down into four sections, each of which has a degree of overlap with
the other sections. A comprehensive discussion is made by individual author
articles on cities and the problems created by urbanisation; alternatives to city
life; cultural differentiation; challenges for food production and distribution;
economic transformations, consumption and global capitalism; and the role of
the individual and the nation-state. Much of the discussion and evaluation is
presented with reference to a theoretical understanding. Includes numerous
maps indicating the spread of development/underdevelopment, etc., as well as
photographs and other graphics. This book also comes with an interactive
companion website, which is accessed through registration with the
publisher’s website. There is both a student and tutor website.
NB: There is also a chapter by John Bryson and Nick Henry on Fordist and
post-Fordist production methods, which would be useful for its relevance to
the topic on Organisations.
Fanon, Frantz, Black Skin, White Masks, New York: Grove Press, 1967
Written by a psychiatrist who experienced at first hand the Algerian Liberation
Front’s war of national liberation against French colonial rule, this book
combines philosophy, psychology, metaphysics and even literature and poetry
to explore a range of issues confronted by black people in a white dominated
world. Fanon’s work discusses the contentious issues of race and racism in the
Antilles of the 1970s that have continued to be no less contentious amongst
different social groups at the beginning of the 21st century, in any number of
countries. His range of analysis and commentary covers language and identity,
inter-racial relationships, and psychopathology. Fanon also provides an
excellent critique of what he argues to be the West’s misguided notion that
colonised people adopted dependency complexes. A significantly challenging,
revolutionary and engaging book that provides a useful, though far from
obvious, integration of a number of social scientific and non-social scientific
perspectives.
Fanon, Frantz, The Wretched of the Earth: The Handbook for the Black
Revolution that is Changing the Shape of the World (with an Introduction by
Jean-Paul Sartre), New York: Grove Press, 1963
With an Introduction by the darling of the French left, Jean-Paul Sartre, that
compels one to read the main text, this is another example of revolutionary
and revolution-inspiring writing from the psychiatrist with a finger on the
pulse of revolutionary fervour in colonised Africa. Fanon’s account of the war
of independence from brutal colonial French rule is useful on a number of
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levels. It begins by providing a searching analysis of the uses and usefulness of
violence for political ends by both the rulers of a deeply racist colonial
regime, and those who would seek to rid their country of unwelcome
despots. His acceptance of violence, as a justified individualised form of
ridding one’s nation of foreign oppressors, is typified by the following
statement:
‘At the level of individuals, violence is a cleansing force. It frees the native
from an inferiority complex and from his despair and inaction; it makes him
fearless and restores his self-respect.’ (Fanon, p.94)
Fanon moves his argument further to a discussion on the usefulness of
spontaneity of resistance against racist policies of an occupying power, but
does go on to warn against the disadvantages of creating a national
consciousness. The main problem relating to the latter is the experience of
racist colonial policies, which ensure that the mass of the indigenous
population remained uneducated and ignorant. He also devotes much
attention to the development and re-establishment of a national culture.
Fanon devotes the penultimate chapter to a series of psychiatric case studies,
which provide good examples of the structural impact of racism/colonialism
(and he largely equates the two) upon individuals. In the conclusion, Fanon
offers advice against what he sees as the ravages of Western capitalism, with his
advice perhaps being viewed by critics of the current path of globalisation as
sadly unheeded.
‘[The West] now lives at such a mad, reckless pace that [it] has shaken off all
guidance and all reason, and [it] is running headlong into the abyss; we
would all do well to avoid it with all possible speed.’ (p.312)
Giddens, Anthony, Runaway World: How Globalisation is Reshaping our
Lives, London: Profile, 1999
This book is based on the BBC’s 1999 Reith Lectures series, the last of such
lectures in the 20th century. This may be seen as rather fitting, considering
the impact Giddens has had on the development of ‘third way’ politics and
policies promoted by many Western governments from the 1990s, not least
Britain’s New Labour and, in the US, the Democratic policies of Bill Clinton’s
presidency. Seen by many as Britain’s current leading social thinker, Giddens
sets out the chapters, or lectures, under five areas: globalisation, risk,
tradition, the family and democracy. In each, he sets out his vision of the
world, and how best to cope with the rapid transformation of it into
increasingly inter-related and integrated sets of phenomena.
NB: The chapter on the family contains discussion useful to other topics
within Advanced Higher Sociology, such as the sociology of both Religion and
Gender.
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Gilroy, Paul, There Ain’t No Black in the Union Jack, London: Hutchinson,
1987
This book takes up the argument proffered by the CCCS on the new racism,
and takes his argument further, by attempting to combine an understanding of
race and ethnicity. Gilroy argues that this is a more appropriate approach to
take in trying to understand racism than studies concentrating on either but
not both. The author takes the view that racial identity is something that
evolves over time as a result of various factors, such as migration, self-identity,
racist experiences, and conscious choices. One example he cites is that in the
UK, the term ‘black’ was used in reference to Asians and Afro-Caribbeans, but
later became used as a term for the latter only. This, he argues, demonstrates
that there is a new racism that concentrates on cultural rather than biological
considerations. Gilroy spends a lot of time in this text criticising what he sees
as ‘ethnic absolutism’, the view that cultures are enduring and unchangeable.
Part of the book also tackles what he perceives to be the ‘myth of black
criminality’. He believes that crimes committed by racial/ethnic minorities are
political acts understood only in the context of racism. Black people, then,
become criminal as a way of protecting themselves against an unjust society.
Rastafarianism is seen as an avenue for conducting this political struggle. He
does not, however, imply that ethnic minority groups are more inclined to
crime. Rather, black criminality is seen as a myth created by the police and the
media; the police, because of their racism, focus on black youngsters and this
is why a disproportionate number appear in the crime statistics.
Held, David et al, Global Transformations: Politics, Economics and Culture,
Cambridge: Polity Press, 1999
This is a large, comprehensive book from some of the key social science
commentators on globalisation, which uses a substantial amount of primary
data to discuss the on-going transformation of global society. The book begins
with an examination of how the role of the nation-state and its involvement in
world politics was increasingly supplemented with formations of international
bodies (e.g. the United Nations) seeking to lay down rules for some form of
global governance. The following section is a useful next step, as it looks at
the history of military expansionism and the 20th century as the age of global
conflict. The book goes on to cover global markets and patterns of finance,
along with the impact that multinational/transnational corporations have
asserted in this area, what the authors see as the modern globalisation era
notwithstanding. Migration patterns, culture and its possible globalisation,
and globalisation as the harbinger of environmental catastrophe are also
usefully tackled topics.
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Held, David and McGrew, Anthony (eds), The Global Transformations
Reader: An Introduction to the Globalization Debate, Cambridge: Polity
Press, 2000
Taking on board the themes raised in their book, Global Transformations
(1999), Held and McGrew have put together an excellent set of essays by key
commentators on globalisation, from enthusiastic supporters of the belief that
it is a force for global good, to those who perceive globalisation to be a
widely legitimised source of problems for those in both the developing and
developed worlds. The Reader’s sections seek to conceptualise globalisation,
discuss the argument that there is a changing nature to political power, debate
the fate of national culture in a globalising world, analyse the extent to which
the economy is actually becoming more global, evaluate the extent of social
inequalities, and review the ability of globalisation to mete out global justice.
NB: Chapter 35 is an essay on the gender dimension in the globalisation
debate, and, as such, would prove useful to the topic covering the sociology
of Gender.
Holton, Robert J, Globalization and the Nation-State, Basingstoke:
Macmillan, 1998
Holton’s central premise in this book is that globalisation, far from being a
relatively new phenomenon, can in reality be traced back over a considerable
span of human history, not all of which is Western inspired. He is also
unequivocal in his view that whilst globalisation does have an impact on the
role played by nation-states, aspects of globalisation, such as cosmopolitanism,
have a tendency to remain consumed by allegiances to localism and
nationalism.
Hoogvelt, Ankie, Globalisation and the Postcolonial World: The New
Political Economy of Development, Basingstoke: Macmillan, 1997
This book looks at the historical development of international/global relations
from colonialism to globalisation. Hoogvelt makes the argument that
globalisation has replaced colonialism as a system for making the world’s
poorer states dependent upon the wealthy West, and how multinational/
transnational corporations have in many circumstances become the new
colonialists. A very comprehensive account of numerous globalisation and
development theories is analysed, from Harvey’s theory of time/space
compression to Giddens’ time/space ‘distantiation’. Four areas of the world
prone to substantive development problems, Latin America, Africa, Asia, and
the Islamic world, are discussed in some detail, with the latter being
particularly interesting as an example of resistance to developmentalism.
This book also includes a useful chapter on Fordism and flexible production
methods, which would be beneficial to those students/tutors wishing to cover
Organisations.
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McCrone, David, Understanding Scotland: The Sociology of a Stateless
Nation, London: Routledge, 1992
Whilst not conveying much discussion and analysis of any issues of race in
Scotland, this is nevertheless a very useful text in terms of its coverage of a
range of social issues in a Scottish context. McCrone provides some
theoretical applications to the development of Scottish identity and
institutions over the course of the late 19th and 20th centuries, examining
power and economic relationships, political affiliations, religiosity, education,
mass media and social class. Perhaps more useful as a source for the ‘Power
and Politics’ unit, this is, however, a valuable text for students interested in a
sociology of Scotland, on which there is a dearth of publications.
Millet, Kate, Sexual Politics, London: Abacus, 1971
This is an interesting and thought-provoking book from an American feminist
author, whose work, among others’, became something of a rallying point for
the rising tide of feminist sentiment in Western countries throughout the
1970s. Using a base of sexual politics theory, Millet argues that the ‘Sexual
Revolution’ has been challenged by political, polemical and literary obstacles.
As such, she critically evaluates what she calls the ‘counterrevolution’ against
advances for women, which occurred up to the 1960s, including under both
the Nazi and Stalinist regimes of Germany and the Soviet Union, respectively.
Millet also provides an interesting discussion on the ideological impact of
Freudian psychoanalytic, post-Freudian and functionalist analysis on sexual
politics. Interestingly, and, to some extent, fairly uniquely, the author also
takes to task the work of a range of literary ‘greats’ for the sexism and
patriarchy she sees as being inherent in their work, such as Norman Mailer,
D H Lawrence and Henry Miller.
Mitter, Swasti, Common Fate, Common Bond: Women in the Global
Economy, London: Pluto Press, 1986
Useful for information/debate on issues of race, work, globalisation and class
and gender inequality, this is essentially an economics text that, as the title
suggest, seeks to explain what the author argues is the unenviable role of
women in the global economy. Mitter explains how Western capitalism,
through the medium of multinational/transnational corporations, have
ensured a range of divisions of labour: a global division of labour between the
rich North and the poor South; class and technological divisions of labour
within both hemispheres; and a gender division of labour, which is also
affected by class, region and technology. The author uses an extensive range
of grassroots feminist research from various countries to explain how women
are fighting back against capitalist patriarchal exploitation.
NB: This text will provide for a useful source of material for the unit on
Organisations, particularly the organisation of work and work practices.
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Modood, Tariq et al, Changing Ethnic Identities, London: Policy Studies
Institute, 1994
This study is based upon semi-structured and group interviews with the
participants coming from South Asian or Caribbean backgrounds, and seeks to
understand a range of social issues among these groups, such as religious
beliefs, identity and family life. Modood et al seek to question studies that
discuss identity in terms of ethnicity or political reaction to racism as being
too limited, and suggest that whilst these may be important factors, they are
not, individually, sufficient to explain the development of identity. What the
authors find is that, as there exist numerous British identities, the importance
attached to issues such as religion and ethnic origin, for example, will change
from individual to individual and group to group. What they argue is that
identities also change across generations, religion, (ethnic) region, and
nationality. Many people in their study also see themselves as citizens of
British society, but culturally distinct from it. Some also identified themselves
as perhaps culturally more British than their ethnic culture.
NB: This study provides an excellent example of two forms of qualitative
research that could provide a useful reference source for those students
wishing to undertake the Research unit.
Oakley, Anne, Sex, Gender and Society, ‘Towards a New Society’ Series,
London: Maurice Temple Smith/New Society, 1972
This is a classic feminist sociological text that uses a range of disciplines to
inform the author’s argument in the debate on Women’s Liberation. Biology,
animal behaviour studies, anthropology and sociology are all called upon to
both exemplify and reinforce her view that what defines ‘men’ and ‘women’ is
a far from clear-cut science. Drawing on a host of comparative international
and national cultural examples, as well as what are often defined by wider
society as moral issues, such as the status of the unborn child, Oakley provides
a discursive account of issues such as sex and gender, sex and personality,
intellect and social roles. She devotes a sizeable slice of her book to a
discussion of sexuality, covering such issues as the denial or non-acceptance
of a woman’s sense of sexual desire, and the inequality of heterosexual sexual
relationships.
Park, Robert, Race and Culture, Glencoe, IL: The Free Press, 1950
This book, produced by one of the sociologists from Chicago University’s
influential Chicago School, provides evidence from an empirical study Park
carried out in that city. He contends that racial consciousness only grows out
of a sense of people belonging to different groups. Thus, he argues that until
cultural and racial diasporas occurred, racial consciousness, and hence racism,
did not exist. Using the ‘immigrant-host’ perspective, his work centres on
notions of ‘centrifugal dispersion’ and ‘centripetal force’ (the bringing
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together of different races). Parks’ study provides claims to notions of
adjustment, competition, accommodation and assimilation among the
different racial groupings, though he concludes that different ‘white’ ethnic
groups found assimilation easier than those of different races, such as blacks
and Asians. This study, whilst dated, is very useful as a means of comparing
North American studies of race and racism with those in the UK.
NB: This empirical study could provide significant value to students
undertaking the Research unit.
Potter, Robert B et al, Geographies of Development, Harlow: Prentice Hall,
1999
A human geography textbook that is focused on development issues, this text
begins with a definition of development, and then leads the reader through
explanations of colonialism, globalisation and development. Partitioned into
three broad sections, the first looks in some depth at development theories,
the second at the components of development and under-development, such
as demographic dynamics and the allocation of resources. The third section
looks at the ‘movement’ or ‘flows’ of human interaction (e.g. communication
technologies, transport, trade) and the urban and rural spatial development.
This text includes numerous maps, tables, illustrations, photographs, etc.,
indicating the spread of development/underdevelopment.
Rex, John and Moore, Robert, Race, Community, and Conflict: A study of
Sparkbrook, Oxford: Oxford University/Institute of Race Relations, 1967
A classic sociological study commissioned by the Institute of Race Relations.
The authors analyse the race relations of a multi-racial community in
Birmingham, in what they term a ‘twilight zone’ – i.e. run-down, inner-city
areas of multi-occupancy, tenured homes, prevalent among immigrant
minority groups. Rex and Moore’s empirical study is interesting in that it not
only seeks to explain problems faced by racial minorities in the UK, but also a
large Irish immigrant minority who shared the experiences of immigrants from
the West Indies and Indian sub-continent. The study places significant
emphasis on types of available accommodation, drawing some stark contrasts
between many in the indigenous population and those in the immigrant
population. The book also looks at the impact of religion and other
community activities on the experiences of the racial and ethnic mix in
Sparkbrook.
NB: This book might prove a useful source of information for students
wishing to undertake the Research unit. Chapter 7 might also be useful for a
sociological understanding of the role played by religion among different
races and ethnic groups.
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Sanders, Peter, Urban Politics: A Sociological Interpretation,
Harmondsworth: Penguin, 1979
Whilst not making reference to what many in sociology might perceive to be
the specific regions for discussion on development, i.e. the global ‘South’ or
developing world, this book nevertheless provides a solid theoretical and
analytical observation of unequal issues of urban development in the ‘North’
or developed world. Sanders looks closely at the development of urbanisation
theory in Britain, the US and Europe, particularly how the state, private capital
and urban management inter-relate. This work also includes a case study of
urban development, and its impact on a range of vested interests in one
London borough. Whilst slightly dated, the book nevertheless offers the
reader a clear insight into urban development issues in the North, which can
be usefully applied as a comparison with urban development issues in the
South.
Seabrook, Jeremy, In the Cities of the South: Scenes from a Developing
World, London: Verso, 1996
This book provides an analytical insight from a journalist who has developed a
speciality of writing on Third World issues. This example of Seabrook’s work
takes the reader on a tour of several Asian cities, reflecting on the various
experiences of economic and labour market realities, with a particular
emphasis on hardship and struggle. Seabrook believes that there is evidence,
also, that experiences of such hardship and struggle are beginning to
converge between the North and the South as a result of contradictions in the
political global economy. This is a quite distinctive text from those written by
academics, with a much easier reading style than most published academic
studies. Thus, although not a text deep in sociological analysis, it does,
however, provide evidence for some very useful sociological debate.
NB: This could also be a valuable source of information for examples of
qualitative research, such as the use of both observation and interviews to
capture a more ‘real life’ picture of the experiences of people in some of the
poorest cities in the world.
Smart Carol (ed.), Regulating Womanhood: Historical essays on marriage,
motherhood and sexuality, London: Routledge, 1992
This is a comprehensive edited text consisting of essays by a range of
academics in fields such as sociology, social policy, social work, social
administration and women’s studies. Smart has provided a collection of
important analytical, contentious topics that will be of great value to those
who wish to understand human behaviour. Using examples, many of which
are of as much relevance today as they were in the historical period covered,
the contributing authors discuss reproduction and sexuality in the 19th
century; Victorian feminist vigilantism; child sex abuse and the regulation of
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ANALYSING HUMAN SOCIETY 1
women; homes for unmarried mothers in the 1950s; 19th-century double
standards in laws on adultery; motherhood and citizenship in late 19th- and
early 20th-century Holland; and wife beating in the 18th and 19th centuries. A
very useful source of information for students who wish to investigate a
comparative historical understanding of patterns of sexual inequality.
Watkins, Alice et al, Feminism for Beginners, Cambridge: Icon Books, 1992
This is a helpful introductory guide that provides both an accessible overview
of a range of feminist issues, such as women’s role in the public and private
spheres, the emergence and rise of Women’s Liberation in the 1970s, and the
reactionary backlash of the New Right in both the US and the UK throughout
the 1980s and early 1990s. Using text, cartoon narrative, and illustrations and
pictures, this book provides an interesting though limited discussion of the
aforementioned, and also the slow historical process of the accumulation of
rights for women in a number of countries (though there is a heavy emphasis
on the West), as well as the rights that continue to elude the majority of
women. These inequalities, as discussed in this book, relate to unequal pay, as
well as women continuing to bear the main responsibility for childcare and
housework, etc.
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SECTION 3
Blau, P M, The Dynamics of Bureaucracy: a study of interpersonal relations
in two governmental bureaucracies, Chicago, IL: Chicago University Press,
1963
Blau argues in this book that, rather than accept Weber’s theory that deviation
from the rules undermines efficiency in bureaucracies, a flexible approach to
the rules might actually enhance efficiency. Blau’s central premise is that in
any organisation there are informal structures and processes that, whilst not
gaining official recognition within a given organisation, are nevertheless
accepted. He even suggests that such structures might actually be imperative to
the efficient operation of a given organisation. One of his case studies is of
the FBI in Washington DC, where he noted that agents continually broke the
rules of confidentiality and enhanced their efficiency as a result. Blau paints a
generally negative picture of bureaucracy, arguing that efficiency can never be
maximised unless its rules are consistently flouted.
NB: This book provides a very useful set of examples of case studies for
students wishing to undertake the Research unit.
Blondel, Jean, Voters, Parties, and Leaders: The Social Fabric of British
Politics, Harmondsworth: Penguin, 1974
This is a classic text for both politics as a discipline and the topic of politics
and power, and social class stratification, in sociology. The book discusses the
social structure of the UK, with reference to class, education, occupation,
income, and the extent of social mobility. This acts as a platform upon which
the author builds an understanding of political parties and party politics, and
how these, along with the aforementioned social factors, impact upon
elections and voting behaviour. The role of vested interests such as trade
unions and employers’ organisations is discussed in critical detail, indicating
the point of ‘access’ to the political and bureaucratic executive, and how this
is imbalanced often by the class relationships frequently seen as being
synonymous with each group. Blondel concludes this book by posing the
question of whether the UK operates a system whereby the ruling elite is part
of ‘the (political) Establishment’ or, in effect, a ‘ruling class’.
This book provides an excellent analysis of power politics.
Bottomore, T B, Elites and Society, Harmondsworth: Pelican, 1964
A dated though classic text from a sociologist with a pedigree in analysing and
evaluating political and sociological theory, this book takes a critical look at
both elites in society, and a range of different theoretical positions on such
elites. Bottomore begins with a definition of what is meant by the term
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‘elites’, and the different positions of the ‘elite theorists’ (C Wright Mills,
Pareto, Mosca), sociologists/social theorists who view societies in terms of the
minority elite groups who hold disproportionate power to their actual size
and number. What the author attempts to do is disaggregate the philosophical
or theoretical arguments from the ideological positions of the respective
theorists. As such, he identifies both supporters and critics of elitist structures
in both modern and developing societies. The last two chapters deal with the
possibility of the contradictory relationship between having such elites and
democratic progress in both developed and developing societies, and whether
such a phenomenon can ever bring about societies based on greater equality.
Braverman, Harry, Labour and Monopoly Capital: The Degradation of Work
in the Twentieth Century, New York: Monthly Review Press, 1974
This book is considered one of the seminal texts in the Marxist explanation of
work and organisational behaviour. Braverman’s work rests on the premise
that in order to maximise the economic efficiency of labour, it is necessary to
exercise stringent forms of control over the labour process, so that workers
have minimal or no flexibility. The method management employed to bring
this into effect was the imposition of Taylor’s scientific management not only
into the industrial work processes, but the white collar or service sector also.
This form of ‘deskilling’ would allow managers to plan work tasks in minute
detail, cut costs, reduce wage demands, and thus increase profitability as well
as productivity. Braverman’s work seeks to underline the point that human
relations theory is little more than a tool designed to present to workers the
illusion that their employers have their interests at heart.
Durkheim, Emile, The Elementary Forms of Religious Life, New York: Free
Press, 1915
This publication is one of Durkheim’s seminal pieces of sociological thought,
and is divided into three books. Book 1, ‘Preliminary Questions’, explains the
definition of religious phenomena, such as supernaturalism, mysticism,
beliefs, rites, godless religions, and of religion itself. The discussion on the
definition of religion is interested in how distinctions are made between the
sacred and the profane, and the necessity of many religions to distinguish
religion from magic, by incorporating the idea of the Church. In this section,
Durkheim also introduces the reader to a distinction between animism (soul
genesis, formation the idea of spirits, and the transformation of the cult of
spirits into the cult of nature) and naturism (pretended distinction between
religion and mythology). Book 2, ‘Elementary Beliefs’, looks in detail at the
definitions, emblems and sacred nature of totemic beliefs (e.g. inability to kill
and/or eat certain animals or plants in some religions), whilst also
investigating how issues of class affect totemism. Book 3, ‘Principal Ritual
Attitudes’, concentrates on notions of negative and positive cults, explaining
the nature of ascetic rites, sacrificial elements, causality, representative rites,
and the ambiguity of sacredness. Durkheim ends his work by comparing the
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unity of science with the morality of religion. This is a very informative text in
terms of its functionalist explanations of the role and purpose of religion as a
shaping force in society.
Durkheim, Emile, The Division of Labour in Society, New York: Free Press,
1947
In what is probably his most famous work, first published in 1893, Durkheim
identifies what he sees as the moral consequences of industrialisation, and
particularly the specialisation of functions and activities that industrialisation
brings forth. Durkheim calls this state of affairs ‘civilisation’. He argues that
the specialisation of activities that work creates as it evolves extend from
purely economic considerations into all aspects of social life, such as the
family, politics, education. This ‘wider fragmentation’ or ‘social division of
labour’, as he calls it, has fundamentally changed the relationship individuals
have to the moral order. Durkheim uses what he refers to as ‘mechanical
solidarity’ (pre-industrial society) and ‘organic solidarity’ (industrial society)
to explain what he sees as different forms of consciousness and cohesion
experienced in different types of society. This is probably the key text for a
solid theoretical grounding in functionalist explanations of work and work
organisation.
Glasgow University Media Group, Really Bad News, London: Readers and
Writers, 1982
The Glasgow University Media Group (GUMG) has a strong, established
tradition of producing highly engaging and constructively critical analyses of
the mass media in Britain. A key focus of its work is to look at news reporting,
particularly the broadcast variety, from an objective, balanced, viewpoint. The
focus is particularly keen because, as they see it, despite the fact that
legislation demands that broadcast news be non-biased, substantial evidence to
the contrary suggests that it is anything but! They concentrate on examples of
‘biased’ or partial reporting in the media, such as the critical broadcasts of
industrial relations and politics, featuring language such as ‘the trade unions
being “out” again’, ‘the unions/workers making unsustainable wage demands’,
the ‘Labour Party being under siege by the left’, and a generally selective take
on news. The authors go on to criticise the minimal access given to
organisations such as trade unions, left-wing politicians, and protest pressure
groups by the broadcast media in comparison to businesses and business
leaders, and mainstream and centre-right politicians. When that access is
provided, it is often in an environment which is disadvantageous to a group’s
cause, such as interviewing trade union officials at the site of a picket line,
where emotions are likely to be running high, whilst interviewing company
managers in the more comfortable, calmer environment of their offices. An
example cited is how Tony Benn, a challenger for the leadership of the
Labour Party in the early 1980s, and a key exponent of moving the Labour
Party to the left, was given negative television and radio news coverage
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compared to Denis Healey, a darling of the Labour right. Such partisanship in
the media, argues the GUMG, often comes in the form of fewer TV and radio
appearances, and fewer chances to answer questions when actually given such
opportunities.
Glasgow University Media Group, War and Peace News, Milton Keynes: Open
University Press, 1985
As the title suggests, this offering from the GUMG analyses the way in which
the broadcast news reports on war and attempts by citizens to end such
conflict. The book is divided into two sections, the first looking specifically at
the UK’s television and radio news coverage of the Falklands War, whilst the
second section looks at the efforts of the peace movement to bring about
greater stability and peace, through advocating nuclear disarmament, etc. Both
sections are discussed within the context of the heating-up of the Cold War,
with a massive rise in the production and proliferation of nuclear armaments
by the West (particularly the US) and the Soviet-inspired communist East
(particularly the Soviet Union).
In the section covering the broadcasting of news occurring in the Falklands
War, the authors identify that the government and the military had virtually a
monopoly of control over the way the war was being reported, as Western
journalists were not allowed into the ‘theatre’, but had to report from British
warships based on information provided to them by the military (after being
cleared with the British government). It was a virtual rather than absolute
monopoly as some news coverage from Argentina was shown on the BBC,
whereupon the Prime Minister at that time, Margaret Thatcher, criticised them
for being unpatriotic due to the exposure. What the exposure did, however,
was indicate that the British government and the military had been lying to the
Western media about some aspects of the conduct and success of the British
military operation. According to the government, the BBC was wrong in
fulfilling its legally binding role of news balance and impartiality.
Section Two looks analytically at the role of the broadcast media in reporting
the feminist peace camp at Greenham Common. Examples of bias in
broadcasting included the discussion of the arrival of American cruise missiles
in a largely uncritical manner, generally viewing them as being an acceptable
form of defence against Britain’s Cold War enemies. On the other hand, the
peace camp was not even reported by ITN in its early days, and the BBC
tended to dismiss it as a ‘so-called peace camp’. Other aspects of this section
include the role of the church in the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.
There is also a very informative set of Appendices, of which the ones on
opinion polling and the news language over the sinking of the Argentine
warship, General Belgrano, are particularly interesting.
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Grint, Keith, The Sociology of Work: An Introduction, second edition,
Cambridge: Polity Press, 1998
Grint’s book provides a good introduction to what is meant by work; he looks
at Western and non-Western explanations of work, domestic work and
unemployment. Alongside this, he provides an historical account of the
development of work from pre-industrial times to the changes to work
patterns and practices under globalisation. Grint evaluates the impact of
technological innovations on the labour process, how occupational changes
occur as a result, and how trade unionism, state interventionism, and changes
to law have seen more women enter the workplace, though usually under
unequal terms. The three classical sociological approaches to work, as
advocated by Marx, Weber and Durkheim, as well as contemporary theories of
work organisation, such as contingency theory, postmodernism and
institutional theory, are given due analysis by the author. There are individual
chapters that also concentrate, respectively, on class relations and industrial
conflict; patriarchal relations in the workplace and women workers’
experience of trade unions; and race and ethnicity, and exclusion from work
or certain types of work as a result of ethnic/racial minority status. The final
two chapters concentrate more specifically on 20th-century developments in
work, such as Fordism, neo-Fordism, post-Fordism, and the enhanced
insecurity that globalisation brings. There are useful essay questions posed at
the end of each chapter, along with helpful suggestions for further reading.
Hutton, Will, The State We’re In, revised edition, London: Vintage, 1996
This is the first in a succession of books on the role of the state, politics and
the increasingly globalised economy in modern Britain. Hutton begins with an
evaluation of what he sees as the damage caused to the social fabric of UK
society by eighteen years of New Right economic management under the
Conservative Party. Other issues that Hutton tackles include the nature of the
power of global markets and finance, along with their failure to provide
adequately for the population at large. He takes a critical look at the
unsustainable rise in consumer credit – what he argues is the spending of
‘tomorrow’s money today’, inequality in the workplace and how that, in turn,
entrenches social inequality in wider social life. Hutton proposes that a return
to the Keynesian economic model would be appropriate, as would a major
constitutional change, where the old landed aristocratic elites become
disestablished and a republic created. It is here that the author fully utilises
the term ‘stakeholder capitalism’ as a model of a democratic economy that
could be beneficial to the many rather than the wealthy elite.
Hutton, Will, The State of Things to Come, London: Vintage, 1997
Following on from his successful The State We’re In (1996), this book
continues to assess the eighteen years of New Right conservatism of the
Thatcher and Major governments. In so doing, Hutton provides a critical
perspective to what he sees as the damaging free market policies that emerged
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in the late 1970s and continue to this day. The backdrop to his discussion is
the concept of a ‘stakeholder society’, a notion taken up by the present
Labour government. Indeed, Hutton advocates and endorses a Labour
government as being the only party government that could carry out this
agenda, the aim behind such a society being a combination of a strong
economy and a fairer social system – a means of looking after the ‘have nots’
as well as the ‘haves’. This is not essentially a sociological study, as Hutton’s
background is that of a journalist and newspaper editor; rather it is of
significant interest to sociology students with an interest in the mechanisms of
power and politics, as it provides a blueprint for what Hutton sees as the
necessity to create a more democratic political and economic structure. This
would require major constitutional change in the UK, allowing a move
towards a fair UK society at the heart of Europe.
Lukes, Stephen, Power: a Radical View, Basingstoke: Macmillan, 1974
Written largely as a critique of what has often been seen as Weber’s somewhat
narrow view of power, Lukes’ book provides an alternative that perceives
power as being identified as having three ‘faces’, or dimensions. The first
face, or ‘one-dimensional view’, is that power is achieved through the ability
to make decisions that will be accepted. Power, in this sense, comes though
influence and control. The second face, or ‘two-dimensional view’, is that
power can be exercised by the ability not to make decisions, or to give others
the idea that they are able to make decisions, albeit within strict parameters
(i.e. forcing someone to carry out a task, but allowing them flexibility in how
they carry that task out). The third face, or ‘three-dimensional view’ of power,
is the ability to shape the wishes, desires, attitudes of others through the art
of persuasion, often in very subtle, culturally reinforced ways. Lukes argues
that these ‘dimensions’ have the potential to lead to conflict, though such
conflict might rarely manifest itself.
Madry, Nick and Kirby, Mark, Investigating Work, Unemployment and
Leisure, London: Collins Educational, 1996
This book is part of a series of ‘A’ level sociology textbooks called ‘Sociology
in Action’. The text is broken down into easily useable sections within each
chapter, and begins with definitions of what is meant by work and non-work.
The context, within which much of this text is written, i.e. with reference to
the theories of Marx, Weber and Durkheim, is presented in Chapter 1. This is
followed in subsequent chapters by explanations of such concepts as scientific
management, convergence theory, labour process theory, and meanings of
skill and de-skilling, etc. Using references to both quantitative and qualitative
research approaches to work, the authors go on to discuss Fordism, postFordism, and flexible specialisation from critically analytical approaches, such
as that of Gramsci on Fordism. Madry and Kirby go on to discuss contemporary
patterns of industrial conflict, and the economic and social effects of
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ANALYSING HUMAN SOCIETY 2
unemployment and limited employment opportunities in the deindustrialising West. The last three chapters deal with wider issues of
globalisation, such as the argument that Western society is becoming ever
more orientated towards leisure pursuits, and consumption as opposed to
production, whilst the developing world is becoming the ‘factory’ for those in
the West with an apparent increase in leisure pursuit.
Miliband, Ralph, The State in Capitalist Society: an analysis of the Western
system of power, London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 1969
Miliband’s book is a critical evaluation of the unequal power relations that are
fostered by capitalism, such as the functionalist notion of consensus in
contemporary Western societies. The author argues that capitalist economics
fosters and reinforces inequality and elitism, both in terms of the inequitable
wealth distribution and the sustainability and creation of organisational elites
that entrench such social cleavages. He goes on to provide a critical view of
the notion that capitalism is competitive, by providing examples of its
monopolistic and hence uncompetitive true nature, e.g. the ability of large
corporations to obtain direct access to the government, and to obtain direct
government support for takeover bids. Miliband discusses the problems
experienced by the Left, particularly in the West, in attempting to bring about
revolution through a series of reforms, whilst their counterparts in the Sovietinspired East, Asia and Africa, have done so through armed insurrection. This
book is a very important contribution to Marxist debate on the nature of
politics and unequal power relations in capitalist societies such as the UK, US,
and Western Europe.
Mills, C Wright, The Power Elite, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1956
A key ‘elite theorist’, Mills looked at the extent to which powerful elites
controlled the mass population in American society in the 1950s. His theory,
where his explanation of elite rule was based on organisational/institutional
rather than psychological factors, was designed as a criticism of such power
relations. Mills rejected the notion put forward by some elite theorists that
members of the elite had qualities or intellectual characteristics superior to
those of the general population. He believed that those who occupied senior
positions in the three major institutions, the government, the military and
major corporations, enjoyed power in proportions that were incompatible
with their representation. These elites would act in accordance with one
another to enhance and reinforce the base of power that each occupied, so
that they effectively become, in the main, self-serving. The book goes on to
discuss how this sense of collusion would continue to ensure that elite
dominance was maintained, by creating systems by which only a narrow band
of individuals could actually progress into such positions of power. Even
when individuals did proceed, unexpectedly, into such positions, the
mechanisms of elitism would generally ensure that those who had ‘bucked the
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ANALYSING HUMAN SOCIETY 2
trend’ adopted the philosophical outlook of the elite whose ranks they had
joined.
Moore Jr, Barrington, Social Origins of Dictatorship and Democracy: Lord
and Peasant in the Making of the Modern World, Harmondsworth: Penguin,
1966
This is an extensive sociological work that has had a substantial impact on the
study of power relations in the disciplines of both sociology and politics.
Moore charts in substantial depth the movement from a world based on
agricultural production to one increasingly based on industrial production,
with Britain, France, China, the United States, India and Japan used as case
studies. In so doing, he evaluates the role played by revolutionary forces in
modernising these societies, or aspects of them. His precept is rather
controversial, in that he sees the true revolutionary impetus coming from the
declining elites rather than rising social classes. The author looks at each
country’s modernisation independently in the first instance, drawing
comparisons and contrasts between their respective experiences of conflict
and change. For example, Britain’s ‘revolution’ saw not only the ascendancy
of capitalism, but also the re-establishment of aristocratic rule over this new
mode of production. France, on the other hand, Moore argues, saw an end to
its monarchist absolutism and its replacement with a form of ‘revolutionary
terror’. The American Civil War is argued by the author to have been the last
capitalist revolution – subsequent revolutions being attempts to end both
social and economic inequalities, though usually having to do so by creating
industrialised economies from largely peasant ones. He demonstrates three
different routes to modernisation in Asia, with Maoist communism being the
route taken in China, a form of fascism taken in Japan, and peaceful
transitional change from a colony to statehood in India. The last four chapters
of this book provide both implications for the different routes to
modernisation, and possible projections for the future success of such routes.
NB: For those students who undertake the unit on Research methods, there is
a very useful final section on the use of statistics and a conservative
historiography by Moore.
Rush, Michael, Politics and Society: An Introduction to Political Sociology,
Hemel Hempstead: Harvester Wheatsheaf, 1992
This text provides a comprehensive introduction to the study of power and
politics, including the relationships between social and political institutions,
social and political behaviour, and the impact of politics on society.
Beginning with an Introduction that sets out the relationship between
political science and sociology (political sociology), Rush covers a range of
important areas of sociological discussion, such as the development and role
of the state and its relationship to society, the notions of power, authority and
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ANALYSING HUMAN SOCIETY 2
legitimacy, and the distribution of power. In looking at the latter, he discusses
the differences and similarities between elite theory, pluralism, totalitarianism
and democracy. Other parts of this book cover political socialisation,
participation and recruitment by political parties. Rush evaluates the influence
of communication of a political nature in forming public opinion, and the
importance of ideology in shaping values and attitudes. Finally, the impact of
revolution, development and modernisation on bringing forth social change,
or undermining it, is discussed in some depth.
Schumpeter, Joseph A, Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy, fifth edition
with a New Introduction by Tom Bottomore, London: George Allen & Unwin,
1976
This is a classic and previously politically influential text, which will be very
useful for students interested in politics and power relations in sociology.
Whilst much of what Schumpeter argued has been seemingly unravelled by the
reality of the New Right political and economic developments over the past
twenty years, he nevertheless provides an excellent account of capitalism and
its Marxist and socialist critics. He begins the book with an evaluation of the
theories of Marx, moves on to the seemingly unsustainable nature of
capitalism, and identifies viable socialist alternatives to capitalist democracy. In
his analysis, he squarely equates socialism as being inherently democratic, and
argues that the latter is not an idea necessarily confined to capitalism. The last
section of the book provides an analysis of the historical development of
socialist parties of different forms, such as the Fabianism of the Labour Party in
Britain, the Marxism-Leninism-Stalinism of the Soviet Union, Syndicalism in
France, and the experiences of socialist parties in the US and various
European countries. The impact of both the First World War and the Second
World War on the fortunes of socialist parties and socialist politics and
policies is also discussed in substantial depth.
Weber, Max, The Sociology of Religion, Boston, MA: Beacon Press, 1956
This book, first published in 1922, begins with the translator’s notes that
clarify some areas of Weber’s work that do not always survive the translation
from German to English. This is then followed by a sizeable critically
evaluative Introduction by the American functionalist sociologist, Talcott
Parsons. Broken down into sixteen chapters, the book begins with the rise of
belief in the supernatural as the establishment of religion. Weber makes
comparisons and contrasts between religion and magic, and tackles the issues
of totemism, prophecies, religious morals and ethics, and the pastoral nature
of all religions. He further discusses the impact of religion and religiosity on
forms of social stratification, such as estates, caste and class, with particularly
interesting commentary on the manipulation by religion to provide ethical
salvation for the under-privileged. This classic text takes up a discussion of the
historical and intellectual developments of and within different religions,
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ANALYSING HUMAN SOCIETY 2
with a substantial concentration on the Jewish and Christian faiths. He
compares these ‘Western’ faiths with those that emerged in the East, such as
Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam, and examines most of them in relation to
dominant political, economic and cultural trends at the time. Chapter XIII, in
particular, has an interesting discussion on the tension between what Weber
calls religio-ethics and economic rationalisation of social life.
30
SOCIOLOGY (AH)
RESEARCH
SECTION 4
Bulmer, Martin (ed.), Sociological Research Methods: An Introduction,
second edition, Basingstoke: Macmillan, 1990
This is a very comprehensive text on research methods, beginning with an
identification of sociological problems, theories and methods, and how they
all relate to each other. The various authors discuss a range of methods, such
as surveys, archival research, official statistics, historiographies, interviews, and
questionnaires. The discussions are conducted within the context of such
issues as methodology, definition of concepts, theoretical implications, and
other reasons for sociologists choosing qualitative or quantitative research
methods, primary or secondary sources.
Dunsmuir, Audrey and Williams Lynn, How to do Social Research, London:
Collins Educational, 1991
This is a text from the ‘Sociology in Action’ series, and utilises some excellent
examples of research to exemplify the authors’ explanations of the different
research methods. The book is broken down into three sections:
‘Understanding and Evaluating Sociological Research’, ‘Doing Your Own
Sociological Research’, and ‘Skills for a Sociology Course’. The observational
work of Patrick (A Glasgow Gang Observed); Humphreys (Tearoom Trade); the
social surveys conducted by Townsend (Poverty in the United Kingdom);
informal interviews of Oakley (From Here to Maternity) and Dobash and
Dobash (Violence Against Wives); and the secondary data of the Glasgow
University Media Group (War and Peace News) and Townsend and Davidson
(Inequalities in Health) are all included. Additionally, the ‘triangulated’
approach of Barker (The Making of a Moonie) is also covered. Section Two
provides useful tips and advice on how students might go about conducting
their own research on such topics as stratification, health, and crime and
deviance. The final section covers general communication skills that might be
useful to any student of the social sciences.
Langley, Peter, Doing Social Research: A Guide to Coursework, Ormskirk:
Causeway Press, 1987
This is a very accessible textbook that provides some useful tips on what makes
a good piece of social research and how to undertake that research once a
topic has been decided upon. There is plenty of helpful advice on how to
choose appropriate research methods for the particular type of research being
proposed, how to disaggregate and present the data gathered, and how to
write it up. The book is divided into two sections: primary sources and
secondary sources. There are a number of detailed explanations covering
questionnaires, interviews, observations, official statistics, books and how to
access useful material from various groups and the mass media.
SOCIOLOGY (AH)
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RESEARCH
Vaus, D A de, Surveys in Social Research, second edition, London: Unwin
Hyman, 1990
Providing information and advice that helps students to be critical in their
reading of research, de Vaus offers a comprehensive explanation and analysis
of planning, carrying out and disaggregating research results. This book covers
explanations on the nature of research, theoretical implications of it, and
examples of research carried out using the survey method. This is a rather
complicated text in places, particularly in its explanation of the analysis of
research data. In fairness, this is largely down to the complexities of such
analysis, rather than the language used in the text itself.
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SOCIOLOGY (AH)
GENERAL READING
SECTION 5
Bilton, Tony et al, Introductory Sociology, third edition, Basingstoke:
Macmillan, 1996
This text addresses most of the themes of AH Sociology as well as addressing
wider themes of relevance, such as modernity and post-modernity. There are
useful chapters on both theory and methods and a final chapter on the overall
usefulness of sociological approaches.
Cohen, Robin and Kennedy, Paul, Global Sociology, Basingstoke: Macmillan,
2000
This book not only covers many of the themes identified in the AH Sociology
syllabus, but adds substantially to them in terms of its emphasis on the impact
of globalisation on the contemporary world. Whilst this is an important text
for the globalisation theme, its material is generally transferable across many
aspects of the syllabus, most notable ‘Power and Politics’, ‘Work and
Organisations’, ‘Gender’ and ‘Race’.
Fulcher, James and Scott, John, Sociology, Oxford: Oxford University Press,
1999
This book is a comprehensive introduction to sociology, covering the key
themes of AH Sociology in an accessible and effective fashion. There is a
detailed contents section, which should allow students quick and easy access
to the information that they are looking for. There is a succession of
information boxes with further explanation of some of the issues discussed in
the text. At the end of each chapter there is a revision exercise that should
help students reinforce their understanding of the key points in any given
chapter.
Giddens, Anthony with Birdsall, Karen, Sociology, fourth edition, Cambridge:
Polity Press, 2001
This is another edition of what is used by many universities as its introductory
sociology text. It is well laid out and generally accessible for the student, but
does not convey information in the same way as the texts of either Haralambos
and Holborn or Fulcher and Scott. Nevertheless, regardless of its being an
introduction to sociology, it is written in a fashion that is much more
accessible than many other examples of Giddens’ work, which can be
decidedly abstract. There is also access to a companion website that students
might find particularly useful.
SOCIOLOGY (AH)
33
GENERAL READING
Haralambos, Michael and Holborn, Martin, Sociology: Themes and
Perspectives, fifth edition, London: Collins, 2002
An immensely comprehensive text that covers every aspect of the AH syllabus
in substantial depth. Most of the key sociological texts and theorists are
covered in this significantly larger of several editions of this text. If there’s
one drawback with this book, it is that the wealth of information might make
it slightly difficult for students to choose the appropriate synopses of studies
discerningly. Some excellent graphical information.
O’Donnell, Mike, Introduction to Sociology, fourth edition, Walton-onThames: Nelson, 1997
This text covers all of the topics in the AH syllabus, and allows the reader to
engage with the text to some degree, by posing questions throughout, and
addressing some issues at the end of each chapter with a series of additional
readings.
Taylor, Paul et al, Sociology in Focus, Ormskirk: Causeway Press, 1995
This is a very useful text that offers somewhat briefer explanations of many
areas of sociological discussion compared to Haralambos and Holborn.
However, in each chapter there is an excellent set of activities with which
students can engage actively with the text.
Additional resources
The Journal of the Association for the Teaching of the Social Sciences (ATSS) is
produced quarterly by the ATSS, and is directed at ‘A’ level/level 1 (university). A
useful suggestion would be to acquire either individual staff and/or student
membership, whereupon the Journal is delivered free. Each edition comes with a
range of useful discounted resources that can be accessed, and includes both
articles and material for the classroom that is up-to-date and produced by a range
of sociologists. Well known sociologists also contribute regularly to this journal.
Sociology Review is another quarterly journal that incorporates up-to-date articles
from a range of sociologists on a variety of subjects.
Useful websites
www.atss.org.uk
www.sociology.org
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SOCIOLOGY (AH)
(ATSS website)
(Electronic Journal of Sociology)