Capitalism and Classical Social Theory

Capitalism and Classical Social Theory offers a rigorous introduction to classical social theory, highlighting the enduring relevance of classical works for understanding the many crises of the contemporary world. This popular theory book introduces students to a selection of classical social thinkers and demonstrates the relevance of the classical canon in contemporary society a society marked by social inequality, insecurity, transformative AI, and the climate emergency.

The fourth edition features updated examples, data, and images throughout, as well as new material on early American sociology and new literature on classical social theorists from the past five years. It reintroduces a chapter on Georg Simmel and urbanism, and it includes a new chapter exploring the intersection of the COVID-19 pandemic and class, race, and gender.

While attentive to historical context, Capitalism and Classical Social Theory argues that classical theorists speak directly to the present challenges of inequality, social change, and the climate crisis in the twenty-first century.

"I've used this book to teach undergraduate social theory for years and wouldn't use any other. The excellent central chapters of the book on Marx, Durkheim, and Weber are supplemented by chapters on race and gender that expand the classical canon in important ways."--Kenneth Fish, University of Winnipeg
"The latest edition of Capitalism and Classical Social Theory demonstrates the continued importance of the classical canon by connecting it to current issues, such as COVID-19 and artificial intelligence. Moreover, the book provides an excellent account of how the canon has inspired and been critiqued by contemporary sociological theorists."--Matt Patterson, University of Calgary
"Capitalism and Classical Social Theory is the best book for undergraduates. It discusses all the major ideas of the earliest sociologists and provides a very broad and inclusive view of the canon."--Isha Sharma, Mount Royal University
"Students and instructors will appreciate the addition of an important new chapter on the intersection of COVID-19 and class, race, and gender that further enhances the intellectual value of an outstanding book."--Zaheer Baber, University of Toronto Mississauga

John Bratton is a an honorary professor at Queen's University Belfast, Northern Ireland. He lives in Calgary.

David Denham is a retired lecturer of sociology at the University of Wolverhampton. He lives in Gloustershire.

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