
This book, the latest addition to the aclaimed Past Masters series, provides a compact and readable introduction to the work one of history's most important thinkers and social theorists. Durkheim's sociology is a brilliant exploration of the forces that undermine social order, forces that need to be countered if anarchy is to be held at bay. His analyses of labor, crime and punishment, religion and ritual, and the structure of the modern state are offered in the conviction that the goal of sociology is to understand social institutions in order to make them more responsive to the needs of today. Avoiding theoretical jargon and written in clear, accessible language, Durkheim is perfect for readers encountering this great thinker for the first time, as well as specialists interested in a comnprehensive view of his pathbreaking system.
This book investigates the foundational sociological theories of Émile Durkheim, specifically focusing on his analysis of social order and the mechanisms that sustain modern institutions. Frank Parkin, a noted sociologist, utilizes Durkheim's primary texts to construct a clear framework for understanding the thinker's views on labor, religion, and the state. The text argues that Durkheim's work remains relevant for contemporary efforts to stabilize social structures against the threat of anarchy.
What You Will Find
Scope Limits
Experts and students frequently cite this work as a highly accessible entry point into complex sociological theory. Readers note that the text successfully avoids dense academic jargon while maintaining a rigorous focus on the core tenets of Durkheim's philosophy.
Page Count:
112
Publication Date:
1993-01-14
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0192876724
ISBN-13:
9780192876720
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