Political Sociology

Political sociology is concerned with the way social structure impinges on and shapes politics. Social structure denotes the commonalities and antagonisms of individuals that are rooted in shared experiences at the workplace, religion, gender, and membership in various other social groups. Contemporary political sociology involves, but is not limited to, the study of the relations between state, society and citizens. Political sociology is interested primarily in social relationships that entail power and privilege. The elite perspective in political sociology has been paralleled and broadened by those few but influential sociologists who specialize in the study of total societies and political change at the societal level. But it is only since the end of World War II, particularly under the influence of the newer types of economic analysis, that some political sociologists have become interested in theoretical formulations which explore explicitly the conditions under which political democracy would be maximized. This Handbook provides a complete survey of the vibrant field of political sociology. Students and teachers of sociology and political science will benefit from the book which clarifies the relationship between sociology and its sub-disciplines, political sociology.