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Title: Social Mechanisms: An Analytical Approach to Social Theory (Studies in Rationality and Social Change)
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Manufacturer: Cambridge University Press
List Price: $33.99
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| Customer Reviews: |
| Social Mechanisms: An Analytical Approach to Social Theory (Studies in Rationality and Social Change) by Cambridge University Press A lot of food for thought on what makes a good explanation. | | The approach discussed in Social Mechanisms is quite interesting and fruitful. Jon Elster has been calling for more considerations of mechanisms, basically micro explanations for macro level regularities, as an antidote for theoretical anemia for many years now. This book is the result of a conference held to discuss this issue. Several of the articles are really top notch: Hedstrom & Swedborg's intro essay, Schelling, Hernes, and Sorensen. (Elster's contribution is rather disappointing, actually.) We've used this in a methodology class for graduate students and the readings are very useful and accessible. The main failing of the material is that it stays at the abstract level too much and often fails to provide really useful concrete examples. | | Social Mechanisms: An Analytical Approach to Social Theory (Studies in Rationality and Social Change) by Cambridge University Press Product Description | | The mechanism approach calls attention to an intermediary level of analysis, in between pure description and story-telling, on the one hand, and grand theorizing and universal social laws, on the other. These essays, written by prominent social scientists, advance criticisms of current trends in social theory and suggest alternative approaches. For social theory to be of use for the working social scientist, it must attain a high level of precision and provide a toolbox from which middle range theories can be constructed. |
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