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'In this remarkable collection of essays, Holton and Turner demonstrate that Parsonian sociology addresses the most central problems of our time – issues of sickness and health, power and inequality, the nature of capitalism and its possible alternatives. They develop a mature and original perspective on Parsons as the only classical theorist who avoided crippling nostalgia. Holton and Turner not only talk about Parsonian sociology in a profound and insightful way, they do it, and do it well. As sociology moves away from the rigid dichotomies of earlier debate, this book will help point the way.'– Jeffrey Alexander, Professor and Director of Graduate Studies in Sociology, UCLA

What causes global inequality? Why should we be concerned about it? Is inequality getting worse or are there signs of improvement and progress? This critical analysis of the current state of global inequality pushes beyond ideological prejudice and simplistic explanations, to address these important questions. Offering a distinctive response to the many challenges in the area, the text presents a holistic account of inequality by:- Taking a multidisciplinary approach, incorporating perspectives from sociology, politics and economics;- Recognising the influence of historical trends on inequality today;- And viewing inequality from a global perspective, as well as a national one. Drawing on major theories of inequality and up-to-date evidence, Robert J. Holton guides readers through the complex issues at hand, making this text a valuable resource for students of sociology, global studies, politics and development studies.

Does globalization mean the end of the nation state? Or are nation states able to respond to processes of global change? This impressively comprehensive book examines the connections and conflicts that exist between global and national processes, institutions and cultures.Debating and explaining controversial and contested understandings of globalization, the second edition has new content on:- Hot and timely topics, from human rights and migration to new technologies and environmental sustainability- Connections between globalization and global events, including the rise of China, the financial crisis and 9/11- Interdisciplinary insights from sociology, political science and economicsThought-provoking and easy to follow, this text will give students across the social sciences a thorough understanding of the history, theories and debates of globalization.

Cosmopolitanisms explores how social groups find ways of living productively with each other. This book analyzes theoretical approaches and research to give a new understanding of the cultural, personal, moral and legal dimensions of cosmopolitanism. This is a key critical guide to cosmopolitanism for all students of globalization and sociology.

This book offers a clear and concise account of the key debates in the globalization literature, serving as an accessible introduction to students new to the topic. It deals even-handedly with all the various dimensions of globalization - political, economic, social and cultural - and particularly draws attention to the role of people in processes of globalization. The book's historical dimension and its multicultural focus ensure that globalization is shown neither to be an inexorable process nor one that can be equated simply with Westernization.

Economy and Society is a major landmark in the recent emergence of economic sociology. Robert J. Holton provides a major new synthesis of social scientific thinking on the inter-relationship between economy and society arguing for the importance of politics and culture to the functioning of the economy and drawing on the strengths but avoiding the weaknesses of economic liberalism and political economy.