Sociocultural Systems: Principles of Structure and Change

Macrosociology - the study of large-scale social structures andthe fundamental principles of social organization - was the styleof sociology practiced by the founders of the discipline. Today, thesocial theories of Karl Marx, Max Weber, Emile Durkheim, and HerbertSpencer (among others) are commonly studied as part of the history ofthe field, but the macrosociological approach no longer dominates thediscipline. Sociocultural Systems aims to reinstatemacrosciology as the heart of the discipline by demonstrating that bothclassical and contemporary macrosociologists stand upon common ground.Sociocultural Systems provides a critical understanding ofsocial institutions and issues while also furnishing a framework forpossible solutions to the perennial social crises that are part andparcel of the development of human societies.