Conceptualising the Social World

John Scott is Professor of Sociology at the University of Plymouth, where he is currently Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research. He is the author of numerous books including Social Theory (2006), Power (2001) and Social Structure (with Jose Lopez, 2000). With James Fulcher he is the author of Sociology (4th edition, 2011) and with Gordon Marshall he edits the Oxford Dictionary of Sociology (3rd edition, 2005). His special areas of interest include social stratification, economic sociology, social network analysis and the history of sociology.

• 1. Diversity and continuity in social theory; 2. Culture: the socialisation of meaning; 3. Nature: conditions and constraints; 4. Systemic processes: regulation and control; 5. Space-time: forms and practices; 6. Social structure: institutions and relations; 7. Social action: interpersonal and collective; 8. Subjects: socialised minds; 9. Social development: differentiation and change; 10. Conclusion.

'Conceptualising the Social World is an ambitious book with many of the chapters having the potential to be stand-alone, perhaps in university course readers for undergraduates. Of particular worth is its vision for sociology as a unified and powerful discipline with the power to range over far and wide social issues. Now it remains for the sociologists to take on board Scott's challenge.' Thomas Birtchnell, Sociology