Theorizing European Societies

Description

Explores key sociological concepts and theory in relation to European crises, identity, inequality and social order. It offers a firm understanding of the modernization of Europe and everyday European life, while not neglecting the historical context. Essential reading for students of sociology in European contexts. Cover Contents List of Boxes Acknowledgements Introduction Chapter outlines 1 The Idea of Europe: Past and Present Europe in crisis A crisis of European values Ideas of Europe The concept of European society The diversity of European societies The diversity of Eastern and Western European societies Formal European institutions Conclusion 2 Sociology and the Image of European Societies Positivist sociology Positivist theory and method European societies in the third stage of civilization Functionalist sociology Functionalist theory and method European societies as diversity in unity Historical materialist sociology Historical materialist theory and method European societies as permanent revolutions Interpretative sociology Interpretative sociological theory and method European societies as cultural complexes Conclusion 3 The Modernization of European Societies The social order of modernizing European societies The city-state as the cradle of European civilization Christian Europe The nation-state as modernizer Identities in modernizing European societies The family stage The European politics of identity achievement Social inequalities in modernizing European societies The European aristocracy The European bourgeoisie Power in modernizing European societies Subsidiarity and the city-state Sovereignty and the nation-state European societies moving 'beyond' modernization? Postmodern states Alternative modernities Conclusion 4 The Individualization of European Societies The social order of individualizing European societies The European communities Individualizing European societies The dark side of individualized Europe: the fragility of norms Identities in individualizing European societies The values of individualizing European societies: autonomy and emancipation The struggle for recognition Social inequalities in individualizing European societies The rise of the meritocrats The paradox of the mass society Power in individualizing European societies The authority of the contract The exercise of sovereign power through the constitutional state European societies moving beyond individualization? Liquid ties Restoring community bonds Conclusion 5 The Industrialization of European Societies The social order of industrializing European societies Peasantry and slavery in ancient Europe Second sector Europe The dark side of industrialized Europe: the alienation of European selfhood Identities in industrializing European societies Ancient and modern European craftsmanship Commodification as an anti-European force Social inequalities in industrializing European societies The class consciousness of the European mind The Matthew effect Power in industrializing European societies The provision of care The exercise of sovereign power through the welfare state European societies moving beyond industrialization? The post-industrial society The post-materialist society Conclusion 6 The Rationalization of European Societies The social order of rationalizing European societies Ideal types of European rationality The caging of European societies The dark side of rationalized Europe: the loss of European values Identities in rationalizing European societies The monitoring of identities Total institutions Social inequalities in rationalizing European societies Rationalized inequalities Inequalities of mind Power in rationalizing European societies Rational leadership The exercise of sovereign power through the bureaucratic state European societies moving beyond rationalization? The post-rational condition The promise of reflexivity Conclusion 7 The Globalization of European Societies The social order of globalizing European societies The myth of the nation The birth of the world The dark side of globalized Europe: borderless violence Identities in globalizing European societies The reference to the world The management of cultural diversities Social inequalities in globalizing European societies The rise of the global capitalist elites The globalization of class polarizations Power in globalizing European societies The new legality of human rights The exercise of post-sovereign power through global governance European societies moving beyond globalization? Closing borders Becoming glocal Europeans Conclusion 8 Conclusion The struggle for the idea of Europe A fragile freedom Becoming Homo Europaeus Glossary Bibliography Index