Capitalism and Modern Social Theory

Anthony Giddens

Capitalism and Modern Social Theory: An analysis of the writings of Marx, Durkheim and Max Weber

ANTHONY GIDDENS Lecturer in Sociology and Fellow of King’s College, Cambridge

This book offers a new analysis of the works of the three authors who have contributed most to establishing the basic framework of contemporary sociology. Recent scholarship has illuminated important aspects of the ideas of Marx, Durkheim and Weber, but has also given rise to a variety of divergent interpretations of their writings. One of the main objectives of Capitalism and Modern Social Theory is to dispel some of the obscurities and misunder- standings which have resulted.

The first three sections of the book, based on close textual examination of the original sources, contain separate treatments of each writer. Mr Giddens is particularly concerned to demonstrate the internal coherence of their respective contributions to social theory. The concluding part of the book discusses the principal ways in which Marx’s standpoint can be compared and contrasted with the other two authors, showing that some of the conventional views on this matter are misconceived.

The book does not attempt to cover all the issues which underlie the contemporary debate between ‘Marxism’ and ‘academic sociology ‘, but performs the essential preliminary task of clarifying the intellectual differences which underlie these two broad traditions in sociology.

This book should be read by every undergraduate as an incomparable guide to these three thinkers.’ -Times Higher Educational Supplement

‘It should be an essential piece of reading for any student who really wants to know what the classical tradition of sociology is about and why it is of such great contemporary importance,”
-JOHN REX in New Society

‘…a careful and scholarly account, It will certainly be of the greatest utility to many students of sociology who will be able to add Mr Giddens’s extensive knowledge of the French and German secondary literature to their own exploration of these founding fathers.’ -Times Literary Supplement

ISBN 0521097851
uit 1971
261 pagina’s 
Afmetingen: 15 x 23 x 1.7 cm
Uitgever: Cambridge University Press

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