Читать книгу Sociology - Anthony Giddens - Страница 44

As we have seen, Durkheim, Marx and Weber adopted different approaches to their studies. Durkheim emphasized the coercive strength of social forces in generating shared values and consensus. Marx also saw social structures as powerful, but he argued that conflict and inequality were endemic in all societies. On the other hand, Max Weber focused attention on the meaningful character of social life and the social actions of individuals. These basic differences have persisted throughout the history of sociology, developing into three broad sociological traditions: functionalism (Durkheim), conflict theory (Marx) and social action or ‘interactionist’ approaches (Weber).

Some of the major trade and economic transactions today take place on the stock market in a highly rationalized form, with barely any personal interaction between traders. This is in stark contrast to the personalized bartering and market stall negotiations which continue in many local communities.

The three traditions are introduced briefly below, but you will encounter arguments and ideas that draw upon them throughout the book. After a while you should be able to identify which tradition any particular research study you come across is closest to.

We look in detail at more recently developed theoretical approaches, such as feminism, postmodernism and figurational studies, in chapter 3, ‘Theories and Perspectives’.