Sociology: The Basics

218 Pages·2003·1.14 MB·English

by  Martin Albrow

Sociology:
The Basics
What is sociology?
Can sociologists change society?
In a subject which has changed greatly in the last twenty years, this
book provides an essential introduction to the world of sociology. The
author analyses key areas of the subject as well as presenting concise
definitions of sociology’s major concepts and theories.
Each chapter covers essential areas of study, including the nature
of human society, science and sociology, social institutions and the
future of sociology. The book also provides suggestions for further
reading. Clearly written, comprehensive and informative, Sociology:
The Basics is an indispensable introduction for anyone thinking of
studying the subject.
Martin Albrow has held Chairs of Sociology in Cardiff and Munich
and is Visiting Professor at the London School of Economics and in
the University of Cambridge. He is Research Professor in the Social
Sciences, Roehampton Institute London. His most recent book is Do
Organizations have Feelings? (Routledge 1997).
Other titles in this series include:

Politics: The Basics
Stephen D.Tansey
Language: The Basics
R.L.Trask
Philosophy: The Basics
Nigel Warburton
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Sociology:
U
The Basics
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(cid:1) Martin Albrow
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LONDON AND NEW YORK
First published 1999 without permission in writing from the
by Routledge publishers.
11 New Fetter Lane, London
EC4P 4EE British Library Cataloguing in
Publication Data
Simultaneously published in the USA A catalogue record for this book is
and Canada available from the British Library

by Routledge
29 West 35th Street, New York, Library of Congress Cataloging in
NY 10001 Publication Data
Albrow, Martin.
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Sociology: the basics/Martin Albrow
Francis Group p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references
This edition published in the Taylor & and index.
F rancis e-Library, 2003. 1. Sociology. I. Title.
© 1999 Martin Albrow HM1.A625 1999
301–dc21 98–56183
All rights reserved. No part of this book CIP

may be reprinted or reproduced or
utilised in any form or by any electronic, I SBN 0-203-44918-5 Master e-book ISBN
mechanical, or other means, now known

or hereafter invented, including
photocopying and recording, or in any ISBN 0-203-75742-4 (Adobe eReader Format)
information storage or retrieval system, ISBN 0-415-17263-2 (hbk)
ISBN 0-415-17264-0 (pbk)
For the three Woodies, Nick, John and Stephen
and Thomas A-O

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Contents
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Preface xi n
Acknowledgements xiii
1 The nature of human society 1
t
The world and society 2
From species to humanity 5
Humankind and culture 5 s
Sex and gender 8
Evolution and history 11
Shaping the world 13
Money and capital 13
Institutions and collectivities 17
Countries and nations 20
The globe 21
Human society in practice 23
Social relations 23
Types of human association 25
Constructing and performing society 27
vii
CONTENTS
2 The science of sociology 31
The rise of the discipline 31
Science and reality 31
Origins 34
Paradigms and discourse 37
Methods of research 41
Theory and metaphor 41
Concepts in research 43
Explanation 46
Triangulation 49
Intellectual craftsmanship 52
Professional practice 56
Ideology and objectivity 56
Freedom for values 59
Professionalism 62
Lifelong learning 65
3 Sociological theory 69
Old and new directions 69
The old theoretical agenda 69
The contemporary problem for theory 72
The unit of analysis 75
Power and critique 77
Constituting society 81
Ideal types 81
Mediation 84
Sociation 90
Structuration 94
Boundaries and identities 99
Difference 99
Identity 101
Trust 103
4 Social institutions 107
From functions to practices 107
Institutions in practice 107
viii
CONTENTS
Institutional theory 110
Changes in the life-spheres 114
Beyond state societies 114
Work for human needs 119
Environment as global risk 126
The autonomy of culture 131
Persons and God 135
Beyond institutionalism 138
5 Society in the future 141
Open futures 141
The ignorance society 141
The control freaks 143
Accounting for change 145
Surviving the present 145
Grand narrative 149
The future of capitalism 153
Capitalist society 153
The limits of capitalism 155
Scenarios 159
Towards a human society 163
Specialisation and reductionism 163
Precarious humanity 165
The way ahead 166
Note references 171
Further reading 181
Index 185
ix