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Ritzer: Contemporary Sociological Theory Book Cover
Contemporary Sociological Theory and Its Classical Roots: The Basics
George Ritzer, University of Maryland
Classical Grand Theories

Chapter Outline

I. Emile Durkheim: From Mechanical to Organic Solidarity

  1. Two Types of Solidarity and the Division of Labor
    1. Mechanical
    2. Organic
  2. Changes in Dynamic Density
  3. Biographical Vignette: Emile Durkheim
  4. Collective Conscience
  5. Law
    1. Repressive
    2. Restitutive
  6. Key Concepts: Social Facts
    1. Material Social Facts
    2. Non-material Social Facts
  7. Anomie

II. Karl Marx: From Capitalism to Communism

  1. Human Potential
    1. Species Being
  2. Alienation
  3. Capitalism
    1. Means of Production
    2. Capitalists
    3. Proletariat
    4. Subsistence Wage
    5. Labor Theory of Value
    6. Exploitation
    7. False Consciousness
    8. Class Consciousness
    9. Praxis
  4. Biographical Vignette: Karl Marx
  5. Communism

III. Max Weber: The Rationalization of Society

  1. Types of Rationality
    1. Practical Rationality
    2. Theoretical Rationality
    3. Substantive Rationality
    4. Formal Rationality
  2. The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism
  3. Confucianism, Hinduism, and Capitalism
  4. Authority Structures and Rationalization
    1. Traditional
    2. Charismatic
    3. Rational-Legal
  5. Key Concepts
    1. Ideal Types
    2. Bureaucracy

IV. Georg Simmel: The Growing Tragedy of Culture

  1. Objective and Subjective Culture
  2. Division of Labor

V. Thorstein Veblen: Increasing Control of Business over Industry

  1. Business
  2. Key Concepts
    1. Conspicuous Consumption
    2. Conspicuous Leisure
  3. Industry
  4. Biographical Vignette: Thorstein Veblen

VI. Summary

VII. Suggested Readings









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