Etzioni’s Critical Functionalism
Communitarian Origins and Principles
Series:
Among all sociologists in the world born after 1900, Amitai Etzioni ranks ninth in total citations. One reason for this is his thousands of publications span theory, organizations, international politics, democratic politics, socio-economics and communitarianism, and they have been adopted in undergraduate coursework within each of these areas. Written for social theorists as well as general readers (including undergraduates) David Sciulli's book is the first to explain not only how but also why Amitai Etzioni’s publications evolved from his dissertation to Active Society and Socio-Economics to Communitarianism.
Biographical Note
David Sciulli (1950-2010) was Columbia Ph.D., Professor at Texas A&M, editor-in-chief of
Comparative Sociology, and author of
Theory of Societal Constitutionalism;
Corporate Power in Civil Society and
Professions in Civil Society and the State.
Review Quotes
"Si la mesure de l’hommage que l’on peut rendre à un auteur est de prendre son travail au sérieux, alors Amitai Etzioni a trouvé un lecteur digne de sa riche production." J. Dean,
Revue d’Histoire et de Philosophie Religieuses, Vol. 90, No. 2, pp. 355-356.
Table of contents
Preface
Introduction. Etzioni’s Classic Project
I. Theoretical Foundations
Chapter 1. Normative Order in Organizations
Chapter 2. Etzioni’s Functionalism and Societal Constitutionalism
Chapter 3. Order in Democratic Societies: Etzioni’s Three Major Conceptual Decisions
II. Expectations for Advanced Democracies
Chapter 4. Defining an Active Society: Pushing American Pragmatism and Optimism to the Edge
Chapter 5. Overcoming Obstacles to Activeness, I: Extending Consensus and Control
Chapter 6. Overcoming Obstacles to Activeness, II: Recruiting and Socializing Leaders
Chapter 7. Policy for an Active Society
III. Second Thoughts: Trouble At Home
Chapter 8. Declining Optimism: An Immodest Agenda in a Global Economy
Chapter 9. Ongoing Failure: Breakdowns in Primary Socialization
Chapter 10. Increasing Criticism: Corruption in Electoral Politics and National Governance
IV. Rebuilding America's Cultural and Social Psychological Infrastructure
Chapter 11. The Economy's “Normative Capsule:” Foundations of Socio-Economics
Chapter 12. Interpersonal Community and Institutional Community
Chapter 13. Types of Interpersonal Community, I: Shaming and Privileging Community
Chapter 14. Types of Interpersonal Community, II: Responsive Community
Chapter 15. Moral Commitments of Interpersonal Community
Etzioni References
References
Index
Introduction. Etzioni’s Classic Project
I. Theoretical Foundations
Chapter 1. Normative Order in Organizations
Chapter 2. Etzioni’s Functionalism and Societal Constitutionalism
Chapter 3. Order in Democratic Societies: Etzioni’s Three Major Conceptual Decisions
II. Expectations for Advanced Democracies
Chapter 4. Defining an Active Society: Pushing American Pragmatism and Optimism to the Edge
Chapter 5. Overcoming Obstacles to Activeness, I: Extending Consensus and Control
Chapter 6. Overcoming Obstacles to Activeness, II: Recruiting and Socializing Leaders
Chapter 7. Policy for an Active Society
III. Second Thoughts: Trouble At Home
Chapter 8. Declining Optimism: An Immodest Agenda in a Global Economy
Chapter 9. Ongoing Failure: Breakdowns in Primary Socialization
Chapter 10. Increasing Criticism: Corruption in Electoral Politics and National Governance
IV. Rebuilding America's Cultural and Social Psychological Infrastructure
Chapter 11. The Economy's “Normative Capsule:” Foundations of Socio-Economics
Chapter 12. Interpersonal Community and Institutional Community
Chapter 13. Types of Interpersonal Community, I: Shaming and Privileging Community
Chapter 14. Types of Interpersonal Community, II: Responsive Community
Chapter 15. Moral Commitments of Interpersonal Community
Etzioni References
References
Index
Readership
From social theorists to general readers (including undergraduates). Etzioni's works are generally accessible and this discussion of his works is also.