Understanding Social Theory

Accessible and authoritative, this jargon-free textbook provides an introduction to the central issues in modern social theory. The book offers the reader a comprehensive and up-to-date guide to social theory,with the following key features: it is organized around core dualisms in social theory, focusing on: the individual and society; agency-structure; and macro-micro. It offers a balanced account of the contribution that major social theorists have made to our understanding of these issues, covering the ideas of : Parsons, Foucault, Giddens, Elias, Habermas and others. The ideas of individual theorists are explained within the context of different perspectives, including symbolic interactionism, phenomenology, Marxism and feminism. Throughout the book Layder stresses the links betwen theory, empirical research and everyday life.