NATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS CURRICULUM SUPPORT
Sociology
Annotated Bibliography
[ADVANCED HIGHER]
John Lewis

Acknowledgements
This document is produced by Learning and Teaching Scotland as part of the National
Qualifications support programme for Sociology.
First published 2002
Electronic version 2002
© Learning and Teaching Scotland 2002
This publication may be reproduced in whole or in part for educational purposes by
educational establishments in Scotland provided that no profit accrues at any stage.
ISBN 1 85955 961 1
CONTENTS
Introduction
iv
Section 1: Themes and Issues
1
Section 2: Analysing Human Society 1
9
Section 3: Analysing Human Society 2
21
Section 4: Research
31
Section 5: General reading
33
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ii i
INTRODUCTION
This Annotated Bibliography is set out along the lines of the different unit
titles, thus texts on religion will also be found in the same section as power
and politics. What is important for the reader to note, however, is tha t in
many of these texts, there is a considerable crossover of relevance in terms of
their applicability to different topics. For example, many of the indicated
works relating to power and politics will also be directly relevant to
organisations. The textbooks on globalisation generally touch most of the
topic areas of AH Sociology in one way or another. It would be useful,
therefore, to review the breadth of literature indicated in order to give oneself
access to the widest possible range of information.
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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 neo-Kantian 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 estab lish 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 reactio nary
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 m aintains 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 respec tive 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 functio nalist 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 the orists, 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 diffe rent
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 comm unication. 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, part icipation
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: knowl edge 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 ba bies, 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 f orms 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 philosop hy 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 abri dged
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, revol ution, 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 Sovie t 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 coverag e 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 disc uss what the author sees as
recent developments in sociological theory (i.e. post -structuralism 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 swath e 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 Marx ist
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 t he 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 technolo gy, 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 abl e 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 p atterns 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 bet ween ‘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 res pected 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 wi th 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 a nd 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 us es 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 nati on
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. T he
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 19 90s, 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 t o 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 politic al 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 glob al 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 wish ing 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 i n 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 econ omic
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 ideolog ical 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 s he 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, globali sation 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 med ium 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 stu dies 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 f ind 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 sexu ality,
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 a rgues 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 undertakin g
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, pho tographs, 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 minor ity 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 inte rests 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 academi c 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 se xuality in the 19th
century; Victorian feminist vigilantism; child sex abuse and the regulation of
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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 ce ntral 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 t o 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 ‘t he (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 la st 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 equalit y.
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. Brav erman’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’, e xplains 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 th e
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 re lationship 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 exper ienced 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’, th e ‘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 leader ship 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, w hilst 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 t o 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, postFordism, 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 r eturn 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 journali st
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 be en 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 e xplanations 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 Fo rdism, 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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unemployment and limited employment opportunities in the de -industrialising
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 discusse s 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 Soviet -inspired East, Asia and Africa,
have done so through armed insurrection. This boo k 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 wh ich 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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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 pr oduction, 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 th at 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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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 r eality 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 -LeninismStalinism 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 discuss ed 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 an d 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 th e
historical and intellectual developments of and within different religions,
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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 soci al life.
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RE S E AR CH
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, the ories 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 co ntext 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 suc h
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.
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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 th e complexities of such
analysis, rather than the language used in the text itself.
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G E N ER AL R E AD IN G
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 t ext 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.
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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-on-Thames:
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 Hara lambos 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
(ATSS website)
www.sociology.org
(Electronic Journal of Sociology)
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