Capitalism and Modern Social Theory: An Analysis of the Writings of Marx, Durkheim and Max Weber

by Anthony Giddens

• ISBN13: 9780521097857
• ISBN10: 0521097851
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1973-03-30
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Summary

Giddens's analysis of the writings of Marx, Durkheim and Weber has become the classic text for any student seeking to understand the three thinkers who established the basic framework of contemporary sociology. The first three sections of the book, based on close textual examination of the original sources, contain separate treatments of each writer. The author demonstrates the internal coherence of their respective contributions to social theory. The concluding section discusses the principal ways in which Marx can be compared with the other two authors, and discusses misconceptions of some conventional views on the subject.

Table of Contents

Preface	vii
Introduction	xi
List of abbreviations used	xvii
Part 1: Marx
Marx's early writings	1	(17)
Historical materialism	18	(17)
The relations of production and class structure	35	(11)
The theory of capitalist development	46	(19)
Part 2: Durkheim
Durkheim's early works	65	(17)
Durkheim's conception of sociological method	82	(13)
Individualism, socialism and the `occupational groups'	95	(10)
Religion and moral discipline	105	(14)
Part 3: Max Weber
Max Weber: Protestantism and capitalism	119	(14)
Weber's methodological essays	133	(12)
Fundamental concepts of sociology	145	(24)
Rationalisation, the `world religions', and western capitalism	169	(16)
Part 4: Capitalism, socialism and social theory
Marx's influence	185	(20)
Religion, ideology and society	205	(19)
Social differentiation and the division of labour	224	(19)
Postscript: Marx and modern sociology	243	(5)
Bibliography of works cited in text	248	(7)
Index	255