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Exploring the Sociology of Europe
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Exploring the Sociology of Europe
An Analysis of the European Social Complex

First Edition


296 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd

The sociology of Europe is a growing and diverse field. This book addresses it in a direct, wide ranging and up-to-date way.

Key Features:

  • Clearly maps this new and emerging field
  • Challenges and renews the sociological analysis of European modernity
  • Provides an understanding of Europe as an historical, social and civil complex
  • Develops and applies new interpretations of the key sociological themes of globalization, citizenship and cosmopolitanism to contemporary European society

This is a discerning and relevant book providing an informed analysis of European society which identifies and defines contemporary issues and engages with key social theoretical perspectives.

Covering the substantive historical sociological aspects of Europe (Part 1), the historical and comparative sociology of the nation-state (Part 2), and the comparative sociology of welfare capitalism (Part 3) Maurice Roche sets out a clear and effective framework for understanding the sociology of Europe.

The book will be of interest to all students, researchers and academics involved in studying, teaching and researching the expanding field of modern European society.

 
Approaching European Society
 
The European Social Complex: Europe as Network and Empire?
 
PART ONE: THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE EUROPEAN SOCIAL COMPLEX: CIVILIZATIONS AND NATION STATES
 
Origins of the European Social Complex: Pre-Modernity, Commonalities and Europe as a 'Civilization'
 
Developing the Modern European Complex: Nation States, Citizens and Difference
 
PART TWO: THE MODERN EUROPEAN COMPLEX AND SOCIAL CHANGE: A EUROPE OF NATIONS, WARFARE STATES AND WELFARE STATES
 
The Modern European Complex, War and Peace
 
The Modern European Complex, Welfare and Citizenship
 
PART THREE: THE EUROPEAN COMPLEX IN THE 21ST CENTURY: CONTEMPORARY SOCIAL CHANGE AND EUROPEAN WELFARE CAPITALISM
 
Contemporary Social Change and European Welfare Capitalism: The Challenges of Globalization and Post-Industrialism
 
The European Union and the European Social Complex: The Europeanization of Welfare States and Welfare Capitalism?
 
The European Civil Complex: Cosmopolitanism and the Sociology of Europe

'This is a major and much needed sociological analysis of Europe.

Roche captures very well the emerging shape of European society in all

its complexity. It is an immensely readable book and will undoubtedly be a standard work of reference
Gerard Delanty
Professor of Sociology and Social & Political Thought, University of Sussex


'Maurice Roche has made an arresting case for taking the sociology of Europe seriously. In a lucid and penetrating book he both invites scholarly debate with his arguments and provides an exemplary starting-point for a new generation of students
Professor Philip Schlesinger
Director, Centre for Cultural Policy Research, University of Glasgow


One of the better recent spate of global studies texts. Its strength is its readerbility.

Mr Alpesh Maisuria
Education , Anglia Ruskin University
February 24, 2010

Good overall introduction to he sociology of Europe, particularly useful for non-specialists. The material on citizenship will be especially helpful to students on courses in the sociology of youth and communities.

Dr Simon Bradford
Education , Brunel University
February 14, 2010

Sample Materials & Chapters

Chapter One

Chapter Two


Maurice Roche

I took my first degree and my doctorate in Sociology (supervised by Prof. Ernest Gellner) at the London School of Economics in the 1960s and 70s, and I was a Lecturer there 1970-73. Since then I have been based in the Department of Sociological Studies at Sheffield University, except for a year in the Sociology Department at McMaster University, Ontario, Canada 1976-7.... More About Author

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