Randall Collins Boeken

"Sex, smoking, and social stratification are three very different social phenomena. And yet, argues sociologist Randall Collins, they and much else in our social lives are driven by a common process: interaction rituals. Interaction Ritual Chains is a major work of sociological theory that attempts to develop a "radical microsociology." It proposes that successful rituals create symbols of group membership and pump up individuals with emotional energy, while failed rituals drain emotional energy. Each person flows from situation to situation, drawn to those interactions where their cultural capital gives them the best emotional energy payoff. Thinking, too, can be explained by the internalization of conversations within the flow of situations; individual selves are thoroughly and continually social, constructed from the outside in. Book jacket"--Page 4 of cover

Argues that violent confrontation goes against human physiological hardwiring. This book challenges standard views about the root causes of violence and offers solutions for confronting it in the future. It guides readers into the disturbing world of human discord - from domestic abuse and schoolyard bullying to muggings, and armed conflicts.

Set against a backdrop of political ambition, President Joshua Maccabee Jennings embarks on a mission to reshape the nation by emphasizing Christian values in governance. His administration faces challenges as he navigates the complexities of faith, politics, and public opinion, raising questions about the intersection of religion and state. As Jennings pursues his agenda, the story explores themes of morality, power, and the impact of personal beliefs on leadership and society.

Exploring the nature of charisma, Randall Collins examines its role in generating influence and power through historical figures such as Jesus, Cleopatra, and Churchill. By analyzing how charisma shaped their leadership and legacy, he provides insights into its significance in society. The book offers a compelling look at the dynamics of charisma and its impact on both individuals and broader historical movements.

Jurgen Habermas is among the most influential and important social theorists in the world today. * This volume represents the first sustained engagement with Habermas's recent turn to religion as a focus of philosophical inquiry.

Craig Calhoun, Dilip Gaonkar, and Charles Taylor argue that democracies have embraced individual freedom at the expense of equality and solidarity, economic growth at the expense of democracy. Rebuilding local communities and large-scale institutions is now crucial, with attention to the public good beyond private advantage or ingroup loyalty.

Presents a concise intellectual history of sociology organized around the development of four classic schools of thought: the conflict tradition of Marx and Weber, the ritual solidarity of Durkheim, the microinteractionist tradition of Mead, Blumer, and Garfinkel, and--new to this edition--the utilitarian/rational choice tradition. Collins, one of the liveliest and most exciting writers in sociology today, traces the intellectual highlights of these four main schools from classical theories to current developments, introducing the roots of sociology and indicating the areas where progress has been made in our understanding, the areas where controversy still exists, and the direction in which sociology is headed

We want neither gods nor emperors, went the words from the Chinese version of The Internationale. Students sang the old socialist song as they gathered in Beijing's Tiananmen Square in the Spring of 1989. This book offers a carefully crafted analysis of the student movement, its leadership, its eventual suppression, and its continuing legacy.

The plot centers around a divided America, where President Jennings advocates for a Christian-led nation, igniting fierce opposition from the Secular States. This tension sets the stage for a dramatic conflict, highlighting the deep ideological rifts within the country. As the struggle unfolds, themes of faith, governance, and societal values come to the forefront, exploring the consequences of such a polarized environment.

Midair is a true account of one of the most remarkable tales of survival in the history of aviation - a midair collision at 30,000 feet by two bomb-laden B-52s over a category 5 super typhoon above the South China Sea during the outset of the Vietnam War - and the subsequent story of what happened to the surviving pilot when he bailed out in the middle of the typhoon.