Introduction on Louis Althusser’s Views on Conflict Theory Louis Althusser (1918–1990), a French Marxist philosopher, made profound contributions to social theory by reinterpreting Karl Marx’s ideas through a structuralist framework. While not traditionally classified as a “conflict theorist” in the same vein as Marx, Weber, or Dahrendorf, Althusser’s work nonetheless fits within the broader landscape … Read more
Introduction Lewis Coser (1913–2003) stands as one of the most influential sociologists of the 20th century who reinterpreted the role of social conflict in modern societies. His work, “The Functions of Social Conflict” (1956), presented a strikingly different view from traditional sociological thinkers who saw conflict as a sign of social breakdown or instability. Coser, … Read more
Introduction Ralf Dahrendorf (1929–2009) was a German-British sociologist, political scientist, and liberal thinker whose works significantly reshaped modern conflict theory in sociology. His most influential contribution lies in redefining social conflict within the framework of structural-functionalism and Marxism. At a time when Talcott Parsons and other functionalists emphasized social order, stability, and integration, Ralf Dahrendorf … Read more
Introduction In the landscape of sociological theory, functionalism has remained a foundational perspective, though not without criticism and subsequent reformulations. Talcott Parsons and Robert K. Merton laid the groundwork for functionalist thought, emphasizing the importance of social systems, institutions, and values in maintaining order. However, functionalism began to face intellectual decline during the 1960s and … Read more
Introduction on C. Wright Mills In the mid-20th century, American sociology was dominated by structural functionalism, an approach most famously associated with Talcott Parsons and Robert K. Merton. Functionalism emphasized the stability of society, viewing it as a system of interrelated parts working together to maintain order and equilibrium. However, as the world entered an … Read more
Introduction Globalization is often described as a modern phenomenon, closely linked with the spread of capitalism, digital technologies, multinational corporations, and transnational cultural flows. However, sociologist Ronald Robertson, one of the pioneering theorists of globalization, insists that globalization is not merely a recent development, but rather an age-old process with deep historical roots. His work … Read more
Introduction The study of power, authority, and inequality lies at the heart of sociology, as societies are structured around the distribution of resources and decision-making capacities. Among the most significant contributions to the sociology of power is C. Wright Mills’s theory of the Power Elite, developed in his landmark book The Power Elite (1956). Mills, … Read more
Introduction on Power and the State The analysis of power and the state has long been central to sociology, with Karl Marx standing as one of the most influential thinkers in shaping modern discourse on these themes. Marx’s understanding of power and the state cannot be separated from his broader theoretical framework of historical materialism, … Read more
Introduction In the history of sociological thought, Vilfredo Pareto occupies a distinctive place as both an economist and sociologist whose theories of social stratification and political dynamics continue to influence scholarship. Among his key contributions is the theory of the circulation of elites, which explores how ruling groups in society are continuously replaced, restructured, and … Read more
Introduction on Power and Authority In the study of sociology, few thinkers have had as enduring an influence as Max Weber. As one of the founding figures of modern social science, Weber sought to understand the dynamics of society through the lens of social action, culture, economy, and politics. Among his many theoretical contributions, his … Read more