SOCIOLOGICAL THINKERS

Leela Dube: Structure of Patriarchy, State, Community, and Household in Modernizing Asia

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Concept of the Social System

Introduction Leela Dube (1923-2012) was a prominent Indian sociologist and feminist scholar whose work critically examined the intersections of gender, kinship, and patriarchy in South Asia. Her research focused on understanding how patriarchal structures persist and transform within the household, community, and state, particularly in the context of modernization. One of her significant contributions is … Read more

Bourdieu’s Concept of Habitus and Capital: A Sociological Perspective

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Bourdieu’s Concept of Habitus and Capital: A Sociological Perspective

Introduction on Concept of Habitus and Capital Pierre Bourdieu, one of the most influential sociologists of the 20th century, developed key concepts that have profoundly shaped contemporary sociological thought. Among his most significant contributions are the concepts of habitus and capital, which he used to analyze social structures, power dynamics, and cultural reproduction. Bourdieu’s theories provide a framework … Read more

Giddens’ Structuration Theory in Sociology

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Giddens’ Structuration Theory in Sociology

Introduction In an effort to close the gap between structure and agency in sociological theory, renowned British sociologist Anthony Giddens developed Structuration Theory in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The theory seeks to resolve the long-standing debate between structuralist perspectives, which emphasize the constraints of social systems, and interpretivist approaches, which focus on individual actions and meanings. Giddens … Read more

Giddens’ Concept of Modernity: A Sociological Perspective

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Giddens’ Structuration Theory in Sociology

Introduction on Giddens’ Concept of Modernity Anthony Giddens, a prominent British sociologist, has made significant contributions to the understanding of modernity, particularly through his theories on late modernity, structuration, and globalization. His conceptualization of modernity moves beyond classical sociological theories by emphasizing the dynamic and transformative nature of contemporary societies. Giddens argues that modernity is … Read more

Edward Said’s Orientalism: A Sociological Perspective

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Edward Said’s Orientalism A Sociological Perspective

Introduction Edward Said’s Orientalism (1978) is one of the most influential works in postcolonial studies, cultural criticism, and sociology. The book examines how Western scholarship, literature, and political discourse have constructed a distorted and stereotypical image of the “Orient”—primarily the Middle East, Asia, and North Africa. Said argues that Orientalism is not just an academic discipline but … Read more

Foucault’s Concept of Discourse in Sociological Perspective

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Foucault’s Concept of Discourse in Sociological Perspective

Introduction on Foucault’s Concept of Discourse Michel Foucault, one of the most influential postmodern thinkers of the 20th century, revolutionized the way we understand power, knowledge, and social institutions. Central to his work is the concept of discourse, which refers to the structured ways in which language, ideas, and practices shape social reality. For Foucault, discourse … Read more

Foucault’s Concept of Power in Sociological Perspective

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Foucault’s Concept of Power in Sociological Perspective

Introduction on Concept of Power Michel Foucault (1926–1984), a French philosopher and social theorist, revolutionized the understanding of power in sociology. Unlike traditional theories that view power as a centralized, repressive force held by institutions or elites, Foucault conceptualized power as diffuse, relational, and productive. His ideas challenge conventional Marxist and Weberian perspectives, offering a … Read more

Derrida and Deconstruction: A Sociological Perspective

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Derrida and Deconstruction

Introduction on Derrida and Deconstruction The French philosopher Jacques Derrida (1930–2004) is most recognized for creating the idea of deconstruction, a critical method of comprehending language, literature, and social institutions. While deconstruction originated in literary theory and philosophy, its implications extend deeply into sociology, offering a radical way to analyze power, meaning, and social institutions. … Read more

Subaltern Studies: Ranajit Guha and Its Sociological Significance

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Subaltern Perspective Ranajit Guha

Introduction The Subaltern Studies collective, spearheaded by historian Ranajit Guha, emerged in the 1980s as a critical intervention in historiography and social sciences. It sought to challenge elitist narratives of history by focusing on the marginalized and oppressed sections of society—the “subalterns.” Guha’s work has had a profound impact on sociology, postcolonial studies, and critical … Read more

Nationalist Understanding of India: Jawaharlal Nehru – A Sociological Perspective

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Nationalist Understanding of India: Jawaharlal Nehru

Introduction on Nationalist Understanding of India Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister, was not just a political leader but also a key intellectual figure who shaped the nationalist understanding of India. His vision of India was deeply rooted in a sociological imagination that sought to reconcile tradition with modernity, diversity with unity, and socialism with … Read more