Talcott Parsons: Economic Sociologist of the 20th Century

Talcott Parsons’ writings are indisputably classics of American sociology. Today, more than a quarter century after Parsons’ death and a full thirty years since he dominated sociological discourse, Parsons’ theories still serve as flashpoints in many debates. Parsons worked his entire life to reconcile the insights of modern economics with modern sociology and to explore how an authentic economic sociology could be developed. The ambivalent reactions by contemporary sociologists surrounding Parsons’ work has motivated this book in an effort to help unify the social sciences by exploring their special competencies and taking stock of their unique insights. Beginning with a transcript of Parsons’ March 10th, 1973, seminar, the book follows with five essays that explore Parsons’ and the precise connection between his work and some of the ideas in the ‘new’ economic sociology.