Summary
Contents
Subject index
Sociology consists of a myriad of frequently confusing concepts. Key Concepts in Sociology provides a comprehensive, lively and clearly-written guide to the most important concepts in the subject. It includes both what might be regarded as ‘classic’ sociological concepts, such as ‘class’, ‘bureaucracy’ and ‘community’, as well as subjects that have become increasingly prominent in recent times, such as ‘celebrity’, ‘risk’ and ‘the body’.
Each of the thirty-eight substantive entries: Defines the concept; provides a clear and compelling narrative; clarifies the main debates, perspectives and disagreements; gives advice on further reading
Key Concepts in Sociology should be the first choice for sociology students at all levels of learning.
Development
Development
Although Williams (1976) considered that the most interesting modern usage of the word development related to economic change, the sociology of development encompasses both economic and social change; its concern is
With the social conditions and processes that determine, accompany, or are affected by the course of national development … (Portes and Kincaid, 1989: 480)
The subject of modernity and the nature of social and economic development was a major issue for the classical sociologists, notably Marx, Durkheim and Weber. For example, Durkheim saw modernity in terms of social differentiation based on ‘organic solidarity’ and Weber viewed it as a process of rationalisation based on bureaucracy.
The chief focus of the sociology of development has been on progression towards the path or paths that countries variously termed ...
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