Living Theory: The Application of Classical Social Theory to Contemporary Life

by Hurst; Charles E.

• ISBN13: 9780205452231
• ISBN10: 020545223X
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 2005-01-12
• Publisher: ROUTLEDGE

Summary

This short, jargon-free text helps students see how the classical theories of Marx, Durkheim, Simmel, and Weber address many of the issues and problems of contemporary society.

Table of Contents

Preface	xi
CHAPTER ONE The Contemporary Relevance of Old Theories	1	(20)
INTRODUCTION	1	(1)
ORGANIZATION OF THE BOOK	2	(1)
SYMPTOMS OF STRAIN AND CHANGE	3	(2)
THE VALUE OF THEORY AND THEORIES OF VALUE	5	(6)
THE RELEVANCE OF THEORIES PAST: A PRIMER ON THEIR PERSPECTIVES	11	(8)
The View from Marx's Eyes	11	(2)
The View from Durkheim's Eyes	13	(2)
The View from Simmel's Eyes	15	(2)
The View from Weber's Eyes	17	(2)
CONCLUSION	19	(1)
QUESTIONS TO PONDER	20	(1)
CHAPTER TWO The Janus-Faced Nature of Society	21	(20)
INTRODUCTION	22	(1)
MODERN WESTERN SOCIETY	22	(6)
Society as Industrial, Urban, and Centralized	23	(2)
Society as Rational	25	(2)
Society as Individualistic	27	(1)
THE POSTMODERN ELEMENT	28	(4)
FORCES OF INTEGRATION AND DISINTEGRATION: SOCIETY'S JANUS FACE	32	(7)
Durkheim: The Division of Labor and Collective Conscience	32	(2)
Marx: The State, Ideology, and Capitalism	34	(2)
Simmel: The Web of Modern Life	36	(2)
Weber: Modern Society's Rational Structuring	38	(1)
CONCLUSION	39	(1)
QUESTIONS TO PONDER	40	(1)
CHAPTER THREE Private Lives and Public Connections	41	(22)
INTRODUCTION	41	(2)
THE MEANING OF THE NATURAL SELF	43	(3)
THE INDIVIDUAL AND THE COMMUNITY: A DELICATE BALANCE	46	(3)
THE PUBLIC EYE IN THE PRIVATE LIFE	49	(7)
SEPARATION AND SUICIDE	56	(3)
CONCLUSION	59	(1)
QUESTIONS TO PONDER	59	(4)
CHAPTER FOUR Separatism and Status	63	(22)
INTRODUCTION	63	(1)
THE ARRANGEMENT OF SPACE	64	(4)
GATED COMMUNITIES	68	(7)
The Maintenance of Exclusivity	72	(3)
RACIAL GHETTOS	75	(6)
CONCLUSION	81	(1)
QUESTIONS TO PONDER	82	(3)
CHAPTER FIVE Cynicism, Distrust, and Corruption	85	(22)
INTRODUCTION	86	(1)
SYMPTOMS OF AN UNCIVIL SOCIETY	87	(4)
UNRAVELING THE ROOTS OF POLITICAL CORRUPTION	91	(8)
The Role of Education	93	(2)
Bureaucracy, Capitalism, Money, and Corruption	95	(4)
THE MISANTHROPIC TENDENCY	99	(4)
Money Talks	99	(1)
The Push for Profit	100	(2)
"Well Whatever"	102	(1)
CONCLUSION	103	(3)
QUESTIONS TO PONDER	106	(1)
CHAPTER SIX Commodification and the Value of Human Life	107	(24)
INTRODUCTION	108	(1)
THE SUPERFICIAL SELF	108	(8)
Beauty as Cult and Body as Icon	111	(2)
The Influence of Class and Capitalism	113	(3)
PEOPLE BOUGHT AND SOLD: THE WORLD OF CELEBRITIES	116	(6)
Capitalism in Entertainment	118	(2)
Enchantment and Disenchantment of Celebrity	120	(2)
THE VALUE OF HUMAN LIFE	122	(4)
Rational Medicine and the Giving of Life	124	(2)
CONCLUSION	126	(3)
QUESTIONS TO PONDER	129	(2)
CHAPTER SEVEN The Polarization of Economic Resources	131	(20)
INTRODUCTION	132	(1)
INSIDE THE U.S. CLASS STRUCTURE	132	(5)
UNDERSTANDING PROCESSES OF ECONOMIC INEQUALITY	137	(5)
ECONOMIC INEQUALITY BETWEEN STATUS GROUPS	142	(2)
ACCOUNTING FOR INEQUALITY BETWEEN GROUPS	144	(4)
CONCLUSION	148	(1)
QUESTIONS TO PONDER	148	(3)
A Summing Up	151	(4)
Glossary of Classical Theoretical Terms	155	(4)
Notes	159