James J. Chriss – författare

There has been a revitalization of interest in social control over the last decade, and this volume contributes to renewed attempts to explain and conceptualize social control in all its diversity. It provides a broad conceptualization of social control which is unique. Rather than concentrating solely on law and legal control (the criminal justice system), there are also treatments of informal control (socialization, group formation and the controls exerted in everyday life) as well as medical control (norms regarding health and illness, particularly with regard to notions of 'normal' behaviour). This volume brings together cutting edge analyses - both theoretical and empirical - of social control from leading scholars in the fields of sociology, criminology, and related social sciences. "Perspectives on Social Control" is of interest not only to sociologists and criminal justice practitioners, but also to medical professionals (primarily for the focus on medical control or medicalization), as well as a wide array of scholars from a variety of disciplines concerned with the socialization process and the pressures toward conformity exerted by social groups in everyday life.

This book examines the contributions made by Talcott Parsons to sociology over the course of a career spanning half a century. Summarizing the development of Parsons’ thought, it shows how his work on the conceptualization of the social world via the unifying structure of four functions—adaptation, goal-attainment, integration, and latent pattern maintenance (or AGIL)—can further the goal of explanation and understanding social phenomena. With attention to the contemporary and subsequent reception and adaptation of Parsons’ work, its practical importance, and its continuing relevance to our understanding of the social world, Reintroducing Talcott Parsons will appeal to scholars and students of sociology with interests in social theory and the history of social thought.

This book examines the contributions made by Talcott Parsons to sociology over the course of a career spanning half a century. Summarizing the development of Parsons’ thought, it shows how his work on the conceptualization of the social world via the unifying structure of four functions—adaptation, goal-attainment, integration, and latent pattern maintenance (or AGIL)—can further the goal of explanation and understanding social phenomena. With attention to the contemporary and subsequent reception and adaptation of Parsons’ work, its practical importance, and its continuing relevance to our understanding of the social world, Reintroducing Talcott Parsons will appeal to scholars and students of sociology with interests in social theory and the history of social thought.

Published in 1999, this book is an exploration of the life and work of American sociologist Alvin W. Gouldner. Gouldner's life and contribution to legal theory is a case study in the limits of critical, self-reflexive inquiry. Hegel's dialect is a major theme running throughout Gouldner's work, and, even throughout his life, Gouldner himself seemed trapped in the unfolding of the spirit through three distinct stages: 1945-1960 - thesis; 1960-1970 - antithesis; and 1970-1980 - synthesis or new thesis. Implications for creating a reflexive critical sociology in Gouldner's image are discussed.

Published in 1999, this book is an exploration of the life and work of American sociologist Alvin W. Gouldner. Gouldner's life and contribution to legal theory is a case study in the limits of critical, self-reflexive inquiry. Hegel's dialect is a major theme running throughout Gouldner's work, and, even throughout his life, Gouldner himself seemed trapped in the unfolding of the spirit through three distinct stages: 1945-1960 - thesis; 1960-1970 - antithesis; and 1970-1980 - synthesis or new thesis. Implications for creating a reflexive critical sociology in Gouldner's image are discussed.

This text introduces students to the study of law from a sociological perspective by focusing on four themes: the relationship between law and society; law in everyday life; the role of race, class and gender in the legal system; and current political debates that are connected to law. While explaining the essentials elements of law, and drawing on scholarly literature and relevant cases, the author does not advocate for normative views on law and the legal system. The text compares laws across various societies, discusses international law, and demonstrates how the laws of certain countries affect those of others--providing readers with insights into the nature of law within any society.

What is social control? How do social controls become part of everyday life? What role does the criminal justice system play in exerting control? Is the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness a form of social control? Do we need more social controls to prevent terrorist atrocities?  In this third edition of his popular introduction, James J. Chriss carefully guides readers through the debates about social control. The book provides a comprehensive guide to historical debates and more recent controversies, examining in detail the criminal justice system, medicine, national security, and everyday life. Chriss blends theoretical discussion with a rich range of contemporary examples to illustrate the ways in which social control is exerted and maintained. The updated edition includes new or expanded material on autism, trauma and PTSD, sports participation, the murder of George Floyd and the ensuing protests, domestic terrorism, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the growing importance of social media in surveillance and informal control, among other topics.  Social Control is essential reading for students taking courses in deviance and social control, and will also appeal to those studying criminology, the sociology of law, and medical sociology.

What is social control? How do social controls become part of everyday life? What role does the criminal justice system play in exerting control? Is the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness a form of social control? Do we need more social controls to prevent terrorist atrocities?  In this third edition of his popular introduction, James J. Chriss carefully guides readers through the debates about social control. The book provides a comprehensive guide to historical debates and more recent controversies, examining in detail the criminal justice system, medicine, national security, and everyday life. Chriss blends theoretical discussion with a rich range of contemporary examples to illustrate the ways in which social control is exerted and maintained. The updated edition includes new or expanded material on autism, trauma and PTSD, sports participation, the murder of George Floyd and the ensuing protests, domestic terrorism, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the growing importance of social media in surveillance and informal control, among other topics.  Social Control is essential reading for students taking courses in deviance and social control, and will also appeal to those studying criminology, the sociology of law, and medical sociology.

Beyond Community Policing uses history and general sociological theory to examine the trajectory of municipal policing from Britain in the 1830s to its adoption and evolution in the America. By analysing the uncertain and uneven historical development of policing, this book illustrates in great detail the functional connections between cities (or communities) and police departments. Chriss also considers the development of municipal policing in the American West between 1850 and 1890, which helps to situate the current discussion of policing in the post 9/11 United States.

Beyond Community Policing uses history and general sociological theory to examine the trajectory of municipal policing from Britain in the 1830s to its adoption and evolution in the America. By analysing the uncertain and uneven historical development of policing, this book illustrates in great detail the functional connections between cities (or communities) and police departments. Chriss also considers the development of municipal policing in the American West between 1850 and 1890, which helps to situate the current discussion of policing in the post 9/11 United States.

An important new appraisal of Alvin W. Gouldner, one of the 20th century's most important activist sociologists. Gouldner (1920-1980) was a leading sociologist of his era who provided groundbreaking analyses in the areas of industrial sociology, critical sociological theory, ideology, reciprocity and class analysis. In Confronting Gouldner, Chriss confronts the larger issue of the place of critical theory, and specifically Marxism, in framing the perspective of sociology as political activism.

This book brings together an exceptional group of renowned scholars in philosophy and sociology, offering deep and insightful engagements with Jürgen Habermas’s thought. With contributions from some of the most prominent figures in contemporary social theory, the volume delivers authoritative analyses that highlight Habermas’s enduring influence on critical discourse.The essays examine key dimensions of Habermas’s work, from his genealogy of moral reasoning and critiques of postmetaphysical ethics to his dialogues with intellectual giants like Marx, Mead, Husserl, and Rawls. Contributors interrogate his theories of communicative action, democratic statehood, and ideology critique, applying them to urgent contemporary challenges—including the rise of authoritarian populism and transformations in the digital public sphere.This volume not only deepens our understanding of Habermas’s legacy but also reaffirms his relevance for contemporary debates on modernity, democracy, and rationality. With contributions from the most respected voices in the field, this volume is a vital publication—one that promises to inspire and shape scholarly discourse across philosophy, sociology, and political theory.