An Anatomy of Power: The Social Theory of Michael Mann

doi:10.1017/CBO9780511488993

Michael Mann is one of the most influential sociologists of recent decades. His work has had a major impact in sociology, history, political science, international relations and other social science disciplines. His main work, The Sources of Social Power, of which two of three volumes have been completed, provides an all-encompassing account of the history of power from the beginnings of stratified societies to present day. Recently he has published two major works, Fascists and The Dark Side of Democracy. Yet unlike other contemporary social thinkers, Mann's work has not, until now, been systematically and critically assessed. This volume assembles a group of distinguished scholars to take stock, both of Mann's overall method and of his account of particular periods and historical cases. It also contains Mann's reply where he answers his critics and forcefully restates his position. This is a unique and provocative study for scholars and students alike.

'… an intellectual biography of Mann that illuminates the evolving political goals underpinning his scholarship; it provides a progress report by his peers on the success of the enterprise to date, as well as Mann’s response to his critics; and it furnishes clues about how the project will further develop.'

Source: Journal of Power

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Contents

Frontmatter
pp i-iv
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Contents
pp v-vi
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List of figures
pp vii-vii
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List of contributors
pp viii-x
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1 - Introduction: the IEMP model and its critics
pp 1-16
- By Ralph Schroeder, Research Fellow Oxford Internet Institute Oxford University
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Part I - Theory, practice, method
pp 17-18
- By John A. Hall, Professor of Sociology Dartmouth College
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2 - Mann's transformation of the classic sociological traditions
pp 19-32
- By Randall Collins, Professor of Sociology University of Pennsylvania
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3 - Political questions
pp 33-55
- By John A. Hall, Professor of Sociology Dartmouth College
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4 - Mann's microfoundations: addressing neo-Weberian dilemmas
pp 56-70
- By Edgar Kiser, Professor of Sociology University of Washington
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5 - Grand, yet grounded: ontology, theory, and method in Michael Mann's historical sociology
pp 71-98
- By Joseph Bryant, Professor Department of Sociology Department for the Study of Religion University of Toronto
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Part II - Types of power
pp 99-100
- By John A. Hall, Professor of Sociology Dartmouth College, Ralph Schroeder, Research Fellow University of Oxford
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6 - Mann's theory of ideological power: sources, applications and elaborations
pp 101-134
- By Philip S. Gorski, Professor of Sociology Yale University
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7 - Political power un-manned: a defence of the Holy Trinity from Mann's military attack
pp 135-149
- By Gianfranco Poggi, Professor of Sociology University of Trento
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8 - Mann, the state and war
pp 150-166
- By John M. Hobson, Professor of Politics and International Relations University of Sheffield
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9 - Infrastructural power, economic transformation, and globalization
pp 167-186
- By Linda Weiss, Professor Department of Government and International Relations University of Sydney
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Part III - European exceptionalism?
pp 187-188
- By John A. Hall, Professor of Sociology Dartmouth College, Ralph Schroeder, Research Fellow University of Oxford
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10 - From theory to history: ‘The European Dynamic’ or feudalism to capitalism?
pp 189-232
- By Robert Brenner, Professor Department of History University of California Los Angeles
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11 - The rise of the West
pp 233-262
- By Stephan R. Epstein, Professor of Economic History London School of Economics and Political Science
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12 - A historical, not comparative, method: breakthroughs and limitations in the theory and methodology of Michael Mann's analysis of power
pp 263-282
- By Jack A. Goldstone, Professor of Public Policy George Mason University
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Part IV - Promise and perils of modernity
pp 283-284
- By John A. Hall, Professor of Sociology Dartmouth College, Ralph Schroeder, Research Fellow University of Oxford
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13 - The ‘British’ sources of social power: reflections on history, sociology, and intellectual biography
pp 285-305
- By Frank Trentmann, Senior Lecturer School of History, Classics, and Archaeology at Birkbeck College University of London
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14 - Networks and ideologies: the fusion of ‘is’ and ‘ought’ as a means to social power
pp 306-327
- By Jack Snyder, Professor of International Relations Columbia University
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15 - Mann's dark side: linking democracy and genocide
pp 328-340
- By David Laitin, Professor of Political Science Stanford University
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Part V - Response
pp 341-342
- By John A. Hall, Professor of Sociology Dartmouth College, Ralph Schroeder, Research Fellow University of Oxford
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16 - The sources of social power revisited: a response to criticism
pp 343-396
- By Michael Mann, Professor of Sociology University of California Los Angeles
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Bibliography of Michael Mann's Writings
pp 397-399
- By John A. Hall, Professor of Sociology Dartmouth College, Ralph Schroeder, Research Fellow University of Oxford
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Index
pp 400-409
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An Anatomy of Power

The Social Theory of Michael Mann

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