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Dürkheim, Emile (1858–1917)
Émile Durkheim is regarded as one of the founders of sociology, which he sought to establish as a distinct scientific discipline capable of explaining the structural and normative characteristics of modern industrial societies, identifying the sources of stress and conflict in such societies, and suggesting rational responses to these problems. He never published a major work specifically devoted to political theory, but he dealt with such politically relevant topics as justice, individual rights, the role of the state, moral education, socialism, and the nature of modern democracy. Although controversial, Durkheim's contributions to these areas have been of continual interest to political sociologists and political theorists. An appreciation of his political thought will be assisted by a brief consideration of his background, the historical context in ...
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