Economic Sociology: An Introduction

Economic sociology re-emerged in the 1980s as a vibrant subfield confronting economic theory and important economic issues.  However, work in this field is scattered and inaccessible to the novice.  This insightful new book addresses this problems and presents the clearest, most comprehensive and wide-ranging account of economic sociology to date.  In so doing, Hass makes the insights, claims, and logic of economic sociology accessible to students while exposing the realities of today’s complex economic world and the challenges of studying economies and societies.  This introductory text: Provides a sophisticated yet approachable anaysis of economic behavior and phenomena.  Explores economic structures and change from a global perspective-by using comparisons and data from the United States, Europe, East Asia, Latin America, and post-socialist countries to show how domestic and international economic forces work over time to shape modern economies.  Takes a critical perspective of both economic sociology and economics to establish useful insights.  Presents historical narratives showing the development of today’s economic structures and institutions.  Addresses important economic issues directly impacting on students’ lives-from the more visible (economic inequality and organizations) to the less visible (international economic trends, public policy, post-socialism). Incorporating illustrations, case studies, a glossary of key terms and concepts, chapter notes, and a comprehensive bibliography of key readings, this student-friendly text also puts forward suggestions for further project work by showing the reader areas that require further investigation.  Broad in scope, interactive and accessible, this book is a key resource for students of economics, sociology and political economy.