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Whereas rational choice theory has enjoyed considerable success in
economics and political science, due to its emphasis on individual
behavior sociologists have long doubted its capacity to account for
non-market social outcomes. Whereas they have conceded that
rational choice theory may be an appropriate tool to understand
strictly economic phenomena - that is, the kinds of social
interactions that occur in the gesellschaft- many sociologists have
contended that the theory is wholly unsuitable for the analysis of
the kinds of social interactions in the gemeinschaft - such as
those occurring in families, in social groups of all kinds, and in
society at large. In a variety of non-technical chapters, Rational
Choice Sociology shows that a sociological version of rational
choice theory indeed can make valuable contributions to the
analysis of a wide variety of non-market outcomes, including those
concerning social norms, family dynamics, crime, rebellion, state
formation and social order. 'Michael Hechter is one of the major
proponents of rational actor theory in the social sciences. The
book is a useful collection of some of the major articles that
cover important issues that are of general interest - in particular
collective action and social order. The book shows the wide range
of application of the theory and, hopefully, will contribute to
further increase its recognition as an important tool to explain
social phenomena.' - Karl-Dieter Opp, University of Leipzig,
Germany and University of Washington, US 'An early pioneer of
sociological rational choice, Michael Hechter has made seminal
contributions to rational choice theory over a career spanning
nearly 50 years. This book brings those contributions together in a
single volume. Although the chapters address a range of substantive
topics--fertility decisions, the value of children, collective
action, the genesis of mutiny, and state formation--at its core is
a deep concern with a fundamental question for social science: How
is social order, solidarity, and control possible in human
societies? This book provides a compelling answer from a rational
choice perspective.' - Ross L. Matsueda, University of Washington,
US
Recent years have seen a resurgence of separatist sentiments among
national minorities in many industrial societies, including the
United Kingdom. In 1997, the Scottish and Welsh both set up their
own parliamentary bodies, while the tragic events in Northern
Ireland continued to be a reminder of the Irish problem. These
phenomena call into question widely accepted social theories which
assume that ethnic attachments in a society will wane as
industrialization proceeds. This book presents the social basis of
ethnic identity, and examines changes in the strength of ethnic
solidarity in the United Kingdom in the nineteenth and twentieth
centuries. In addition to its value as a case study, the work also
has important comparative implications, for it suggests that
internal colonialism of the kind experienced in the British Isles
has its analogues in the histories of other industrial societies.
Hechter examines the unexpected persistence of ethnicity in the
politics of industrial societies by focusing on the British Isles.
Why do many of the inhabitants of Wales, Scotland, and Ireland
continue to maintain an ethnic identity opposed to England? Hechter
explains the salience of ethnic identity by analyzing the
relationships between England, the national core, and its
periphery, the Celtic fringe, in the light of two alternative
models of core-periphery relations in the industrial setting. These
are a "diffusion" model, which predicts that intergroup contact
leads to ethnic homogenization, and an "internal colonial" model,
in which such contact heightens distinctive ethnic identification.
His findings lend support to the internal colonial model, and show
that, although industrialization did contribute to a decline in
interregional linguistic differences, it resulted neither in the
cultural assimilation of Celtic lands, nor in the development of
regional economic equality. The study concludes that ethnic
solidarity will inevitably emerge among groups which are relegated
to inferior positions in a cultural division of labor. This is an
important contribution to the understanding of socioeconomic
development and ethnicity.
Recent years have seen a resurgence of separatist sentiments among
national minorities in many industrial societies, including the
United Kingdom. In 1997, the Scottish and Welsh both set up their
own parliamentary bodies, while the tragic events in Northern
Ireland continued to be a reminder of the Irish problem. These
phenomena call into question widely accepted social theories which
assume that ethnic attachments in a society will wane as
industrialization proceeds.This book presents the social basis of
ethnic identity, and examines changes in the strength of ethnic
solidarity in the United Kingdom in the nineteenth and twentieth
centuries. In addition to its value as a case study, the work also
has important comparative implications, for it suggests that
internal colonialism of the kind experienced in the British Isles
has its analogues in the histories of other industrial
societies.Hechter examines the unexpected persistence of ethnicity
in the politics of industrial societies by focusing on the British
Isles. Why do many of the inhabitants of Wales, Scotland, and
Ireland continue to maintain an ethnic identity opposed to England?
Hechter explains the salience of ethnic identity by analyzing the
relationships between England, the national core, and its
periphery, the Celtic fringe, in the light of two alternative
models of core-periphery relations in the industrial setting. These
are a diffusion model, which predicts that intergroup contact leads
to ethnic homogenization, and an internal colonial model, in which
such contact heightens distinctive ethnic identification.His
findings lend support to the internal colonial model, and show
that, although industrialization did contribute to a decline in
interregional linguistic differences, it resulted neither in the
cultural assimilation of Celtic lands, nor in the development of
regional economic equality. The study concludes that ethnic
solidarity will inevitably emerge among groups which are relegated
to inferior positions in a cultural division of labor. This is an
important contribution to the understanding of socioeconomic
development and ethnicity.
Already a standard in its first edition, this newly expanded and
reorganized reader provides a compelling exploration of what
arguably remains the single most important problem in social
theory: the problem of social order. Contending that theory's
purpose in the social sciences lies in its ability to explain
real-world phenomena, "Theories of Social Order" presents classic
texts alongside contemporary theoretical extensions and recent
empirical applications.
Building on the success of the first edition, the second edition
focuses readings around five key social structures that affect
social order: individuals, hierarchies, markets, groups, and
networks. Its unique approach--focusing on theor"ies" rather than
theor"ists"--encourages students to compare various factors and
mechanisms, seek common analytical themes, and develop a deeper
theoretical understanding of the problem of social order. By
pairing alternative explanations with empirical research, it helps
students grasp the essential lesson that social theory must have
empirical implications. This critical lesson emphasizes the
relevance of theory to real life, the research enterprise, and the
development of better social policies.
Added readings in the second edition highlight the extent to which
the problem of social order is of interest across the sciences and
demonstrate the relevance of social order in understanding gender
and ethnic group dynamics. Editorial introductions to each section
discuss the causal mechanisms in each theory and make clear links
between classical and modern texts.
Already a standard in its first edition, this newly expanded and
reorganized reader provides a compelling exploration of what
arguably remains the single most important problem in social
theory: the problem of social order. Contending that theory's
purpose in the social sciences lies in its ability to explain
real-world phenomena, "Theories of Social Order" presents classic
texts alongside contemporary theoretical extensions and recent
empirical applications.
Building on the success of the first edition, the second edition
focuses readings around five key social structures that affect
social order: individuals, hierarchies, markets, groups, and
networks. Its unique approach--focusing on theor"ies" rather than
theor"ists"--encourages students to compare various factors and
mechanisms, seek common analytical themes, and develop a deeper
theoretical understanding of the problem of social order. By
pairing alternative explanations with empirical research, it helps
students grasp the essential lesson that social theory must have
empirical implications. This critical lesson emphasizes the
relevance of theory to real life, the research enterprise, and the
development of better social policies.
Added readings in the second edition highlight the extent to which
the problem of social order is of interest across the sciences and
demonstrate the relevance of social order in understanding gender
and ethnic group dynamics. Editorial introductions to each section
discuss the causal mechanisms in each theory and make clear links
between classical and modern texts.
This book argues that alien rule can become legitimate to the
degree that it provides governance that is both effective and fair.
Governance is effective to the degree that citizens have access to
an expanding economy and an ample supply of culturally appropriate
collective goods. Governance is fair to the degree that rulers act
according to the strictures of procedural justice. These twin
conditions help account for the legitimation of alien rulers in
organizations of markedly different scale. The book applies these
principles to the legitimation of alien rulers in states (the
Republic of Genoa, nineteenth- and twentieth-century China, and
modern Iraq), colonies (Taiwan and Korea under Japanese rule), and
occupation regimes, as well as in less encompassing organizations
such as universities (academic receivership), corporations (mergers
and acquisitions), and stepfamilies. Finally, it speculates about
the possibility of an international market in governance services.
Social scientists have long recognized that solidarity is essential
for such phenomena as social order, class, and ethnic
consciousness, and the provision of collective goods. In presenting
a new general theory of group solidarity, Michael Hechter here
contends that it is indeed possible to build a theory of solidarity
based on the action of rational individuals and in doing so he goes
beyond the timeworn disciplinary boundaries separating the various
social sciences.
The Age of Sail has long fascinated readers, writers, and the
general public. Herman Melville, Joseph Conrad, Jack London et al.
treated ships at sea as microcosms; Petri dishes in which larger
themes of authority, conflict and order emerge. In this fascinating
book, Pfaff and Hechter explore mutiny as a manifestation of
collective action and contentious politics. The authors use
narrative evidence and statistical analysis to trace the processes
by which governance failed, social order decayed, and seamen
mobilized. Their findings highlight the complexities
of governance, showing that it was not mere deprivation, but
how seamen interpreted that deprivation, which stoked the
grievances that motivated rebellion. Using the Age of Sail as a
lens to examine topics still relevant today - what motivates people
to rebel against deprivation and poor governance - The Genesis of
Rebellion: Governance, Grievance, and Mutiny in the Age of Sail
helps us understand the emergence of populism and rejection of the
establishment.
Nationalism has become the most prevalent source of political conflict and violence in the world. Scholarship has provided scant guidance about the prospects of containing the dark side of nationalism-its widely publicized excesses of violence, such as ethnic cleansing and genocide. Departing from the usual practice of considering only a few examples of nationalism drawn from a limited geographical and historical canvas, this groundbreaking book is based on fundamental theoretical ideas about the formation and solidarity of groups.<i>
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