Society-- a Complex Adaptive System: Essays in Social Theory

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Taylor & Francis, 1998 - Social Science - 312 pages
First published in 1998. Society-A Complex Adaptive System aims to re-establish a firm scientific foundation for contemporary sociology, incorporating current extensions to a systems approach, such as complex adaptive systems and aspects of contemporary dynamic systems theory. The essays brought together to form this volume address general problem areas in basic theory and methodology. The work then develops to focus on the more empirically relevant core of social theory-socio-cultural regulation and control-with concern for adaptive structure changing and structure conserving aspects. In addition, the book is focused on dynamic processes rather than static structural or functional concepts.
 

Contents

An Overview
35
FIVE
59
SEVEN
77
EIGHT
125
ELEVEN
183
and Authority
193
THIRTEEN Social Stratification and Social
241
FOURTEEN Science Policy and Values
255
Endnotes
271
Selected Bibliography
293
Copyright

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About the author (1998)

Walter Buckley is Professor Emeritus of Sociology at the University of New Hampshire in Durham. He received his PhD from the University of Wisconsin in 1956 and attended the Sorbonne as a Fulbright Scholar.

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