Historical Sociology

by Philip Abrams

Overview

This book argues that history and sociology share the same vital preoccupation: the desire to unravel the puzzle of human agency. How do large-scale social transformations occur, and what is the role of the individual in them? Phil Abrams devotes three chapters to the development of industrialism and scrutinizes, in that connection, the theories of Marx, Weber, and Durkheim. Subsequent chapters consider Talcott Parsons and the debate on "convergence"; the formation of "states"; the idea of the "event" as a legitimate concern of history and sociology; individuals and sociological generations; deviancy and revolution; and a final chapter on the limits of historical sociology.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780801492433
Publisher:	Cornell University Press
Publication date:	02/28/1983
Pages:	400
Sales rank:	722,283
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 1.00(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

What People are Saying About This

Charles Tilly

Philip Abrams has left behind a thoughtful, lucid, well-informed study of the ways of writing about history sociologically.

Steven Lukes

Very attractively written and unfailingly interesting, this is an exceptionally timely and topical volume.

Editorial Reviews

Abrams is genial and persuasive in arguing that history must be sociological, and sociology historical, if they are to pursue their respective missions well. It is an important addition to the discourse across these tribal boundaries.

American Historical Review

Abrams is genial and persuasive in arguing that history must be sociological, and sociology historical, if they are to pursue their respective missions well. It is an important addition to the discourse across these tribal boundaries.

-- "American Historical Review"

From the Publisher