The Companion to Major Social Theorists offers a broad-ranging survey of classical and contemporary social theory. In original essays especially commissioned for this volume, leading experts and practitioners examine the life and work of 25 major theorists, discussing the social and intellectual context of their writings and offering an analysis of the impact of their work over time.

• Includes 25 original essays on major classical and contemporary social theorists
• Contributions are especially commissioned for this volume, and are by leading experts and practitioners in...

Provides a comparative perspective on the state of social problems and deviance in a variety of societies around the world. This book explores the theory of the weakness of the strong, in other words, strong or wealthy nations may have greater vulnerability to some social problems than less developed or affluent societies.

Click 'Additional Materials' for downloadable samplesThe Encyclopedia of Social Theory is an indispensable reference source for anyone interested in the roots of contemporary social theory. It examines the global landscape of all the key theories and the theorists behind them, presenting them in the context needed to understand their strengths and weaknesses. Theories covered include • Critical Theory ??? Enlightenment ??? Ethnomethodology ??? Exchange Theory ??? Feminism ??? Marxist Theory ??? Multiculturalism ??? Phenomenology ??? Postmodernism ??? Rational Choice ??? Structural...

This book is an indispensable resource for anyone interested in the roots, current debates and future development of social theory. It draws together a team of international scholars, and presents an authoritative and panoramic critical survey of the field. The first section, examines the classical tradition. Included here are critical discussions of Comte, Spencer, Marx, Durkheim, Weber, Simmel, Mead, Freud, Mannheim and classical feminist thought, demonstrating not only the critical significance of classical writings, but also their continuing relevance. The second section moves on to...

Ritzer discusses the process of McDonaldization, and scrutinizes: the labour process and the degree to which it has been McDonaldized; the relationship between McDonaldization and globalization and Americanization. Part Three presents new means of consumption and the book concludes with a re-evaluation of the McDonaldization thesis and its future.

In this essential new book, George Ritzer considers some of the main tendencies in contemporary social theory. Included here are his latest reflections on the uses and misuses of metatheory.

In this essential new book, George Ritzer considers some of the main tendencies in contemporary social theory. Included here are his latest reflections on the uses and misuses of metatheory.

In this book, George Ritzer, demonstrates the irrational consequences of the rational desire to consume and commodify.

In this book, George Ritzer, demonstrates the irrational consequences of the rational desire to consume and commodify.

'A timely review of the spread of credit card society... a useful analysis of contemporary culture and the impact of credit cards on society. It highlights the importance of subjecting to analysis the mundane, in order to shed light on the deeper realities of consumer capitalism' - Management Learning