George C. Homans

A Javier Treviqo, Charles Tilly

What a great idea is George C. Homans: History, Theory, and Method! It is surprising how little of Homans's work is outdated. Its outstanding clarity and originality is an oasis in most of contemporary sociological "theory." —Karl-Dieter Opp, Professor Emeritus of Sociology, University of Leipzig ”With rigor, clarity, and a wide-ranging intellectual purview, George C. Homans: History, Theory, and Method does George Homans proud. It both reflects and builds upon the breadth of his accomplishments as a social scientist and all-around scholar. In my imagination, I can still hear George's booming voice. He was never one to shy away from judgments-and I am sure he would have heartily endorsed this overview of his contributions. Readers can see why great thinkers like Homans are those best able to cross boundaries and make connections across diverse fields of study.” —Theda Skocpol, Victor S. Thomas Professor of Government and Sociology, Harvard University

• Introduction The Sentiments and Activities of George C. Homans; 1: The Rise of Homans at Harvard; 2: A Medievalist for the Twentieth Century; 3: Efficient Causes, Final Causes, and Human Nature; 4: Elements and Identity; 5: Homans's Vision of Social Exchange; 6: Homans and Emerson on Power; 7: Exchange, Affect, and Group Relations; 8: Homans and the Study of Justice; 9: The Return of the Ghost of Utilitarianism; 10: Theorizing in Sociology; 11: Bringing Obligations Back into Human Rights; 12: George C. Homans's Life in Poetry