Theories of Social Change: A Critical Appraisal - Paperback

by Raymond Boudon (Author), J. C. Whitehouse (Translator)

Raymond Boudon is one of the best known European writers in social theory today and is also celebrated for his extensive contributions to empirical Sociology. Theories of Social Change, now available in paperback, is a classic statement of the position he advocates.

Boudon provides a wide-ranging and incisive critique of the existing theories of social change in sociology, documenting his ideas with empirical illustrations. He also adds his own distinct and original contributions to the analysis of social change. In his view, social life is in a fundamental sense marked by 'disorder'. Not only are there laws of social life, but patterns of social change continually diverge from the outcomes which social actors attempt to achieve.

Theories of Social Change is concise, clear and accessible; at the same time its level of analysis is highly sophisticated, and its arguments persuasively and impressively documented.

Back Jacket

Now available in paperback, Theories of Social Change presents a classic statement of Boudon's stance in social theory and empirical sociology. Boudon criticizes the theories of social change that dominated sociology between the early 1950s and the late 1970s, and elaborates his own distinctive account. Suitable for academics, students and researchers in sociology, politics, economics and anthropology.

Author Biography

Raymond Boudon is the author of many other works including The Analysis of Ideology, (Polity Press, 1989).