This book reconstructs and brings together the work of a number of social and political theorists in order to gain new insight on the emergence and character of modern Western society. It examines the intersection point of social theory and historical sociology in a new theoretical approach called "reflexive historical sociology".

There is analysis of the works of Max Weber, Michel Foucault, Norbert Elias, Eric Voegelin and a number of others. The book is divided into three parts. Part 1 examines the works of Eric Voegelin, Norbert Elias, Lewis Mumford and Franz Borkenau. Part 2 is concerned with the major conceptual tools such as experience, liminality, process, symbolisation, figuration, order, dramatisation and reflexivity, and themes such as the history of forms of thought, subjectivity, knowledge and closed space and regulated time. Finally, the book examines the most important insights of the thinkers discussed, concerning the historical processes that led to modernity.

About the Author
Arpad Szakolczai is Professor of Sociology at University College Cork.

Reviews

'One cannot but hope that Szakolczai's ambitious, scholarly and stylish work will have the warm reception it deserves and that it will succeed in triggering genuine and fruitful debates.' - Angelos Mouzakitis, European Journal of Social Theory 4 (2)

Book Information
ISBN 9780415558624
Author Arpad Szakolczai
Format Paperback
Page Count 282
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 560g