Useful Links:
Books on Ebay-see our specially prebuilt search below
Books on Amazon-see our specially prebuilt banner below

Titles to Look Out For:
[in alphabetical order of title]
1999. Ireland North and South: Perspectives from Social Science by Anthony F. Heath
2000. Rational Choice Theory: Resisting Colonization. Edited by Margaret S. Archer and Jonathan Q. Tritter
1967 (and later eds). The Sociology of Industry: Studies in Sociology Volume 1 by Stanley R. Parker

Alternative online retailers to try:
Click here to access our prebuilt search for this title on Abebooks

Or click here to access our prebuilt search for this title on Alibris

Or click here to access our prebuilt search for this title on Ebay

• Ireland North and South. Perspectives from Social Science [top]
  Edited by Anthony F. Heath, Richard Breen and Christopher T. Whelan
  First published in 1999 in Great Britain for The British Academy by Oxford University Press in hardback, 535pp, ISBN 0197261957
  Slightly Better Books Seal of Approval: This book is printed on Acid-Free Paper

About this book: Have the two parts of Ireland been converging or diverging over time? And what implications do these patterns of change have for the future? In this first-ever systematic study of the social, economic and political development of the two Irelands since partition, a distinguished group of scholars from Ireland (North and South), Britain and America have worked together to provide answers that are essential for any understanding of current political events. There are chapters on economic development, political history, demography and migration, the religions of Ireland, gender differences, the family and the state of the labour market, industrial relations, education and social stratification, nationalism and political culture, and political behaviour. Some important areas of convergence are demonstrated, especially in fertility, but in other respects, the two Irelands remain distinct, with the North evolving some unique characteristics of its own

Contents:
Notes on Contributors
Preface.
1. Problems of, and Prospects for, Comparing the Two Irelands by David B. Rottman
2. The History of Economic Development in Ireland, North and South by John Bradley
3. Demography and Migration In Ireland, North and South by D. A. Coleman
4. Family and State by Tony Fahey & Eithne McLaughlin
5. The Religions of Ireland by Andrew Greeley
6. Crime in Ireland 1945-95 by John D. Brewer, Bill Lockhart & Paula Rodgers
7. Educational Inequality in Ireland, North and South by Richard Breen, Anthony F. Heath & Christopher T. Whelan
8. Sick Man or Tigress? The Labour Market in the Republic of Ireland by Philip J. O'Connell
9. The Northern Ireland Labour Market by Graham Gudgin
10. Does the Border Make the Difference? Variations in Women's Paid Employment, North and South by Pat O'Connor and Sally Shortall
11. Social Mobility in Ireland: A Comparative Analysis by Richard Breen & Christopher T.Whelan
12. Industrial Relations in the Two Irish Economies by Paul Teague and John McCartney
13. Nationalism and the Continuation of Political Conflict in Ireland by Brian Girvin
14. The Political History of Northern Ireland since Partition: The Prospects for North-South Co-operation by Paul Bew
15. Political Cleavages and Party Alignments in Ireland, North and South by Geoffrey Evans & Richard Sinnott
16. Generations, Prejudice and Politics in Northern Ireland by Bernadette C. Hayes & Ian McAllister
Conclusions by Anthony F. Heath, Richard Breen & Christopher T. Whelan
Index

Ireland North & South

Alternative online retailers to try:
Click here to access our prebuilt search for this title on Abebooks

Click here for our prebuilt search for any edition of this book on Alibris

Or click here to access our prebuilt search for this title on Ebay

• Rational Choice Theory: Resisting Colonization [top]
  Edited by Margaret S. Archer and Jonathan Q. Tritter
  First published in 2000 in Great Britain in paperback by Routledge, 257pp, ISBN 041524272X

About this book/synopsis: Can Rational Choice Theory explain all human behaviour?

Rational Theory is put to the test in this volume, which represents an act of sociological resistance with thirteen contributions contesting its theoretical adequacy and demonstrating its inability to deal with empirical problems ranging from race, education, marriage decisions and homeworking to the underclass and crimes against humanity.

Rational Choice theory has been flourishing in sociology and other disciplines, but contributors to this volume believe that it is inadequate not just for part of the decision-making process, but for all parts: that is of the person or persons making the decision; the process by which decisions get made and of the context within which decision-making takes place.

There are three basic assumptions underlying rational theory on which this book focuses:
1) Rationality
2) Individualism
3) Temporality

Rationality - the theory's definition of rationality is restricted to 'instrumental rationality'. Rational choice theory is unable to deal with substantive rationality, which rather than being a means to an end is actually a commitment to those ultimate concerns which define who each of us are.

What we care about most involves our emotionality and normativity, however neither affect nor norms can be satisfactorily incorporated into the RCT model of the cool, individualist bargain-hunter, looking to maximise a 'utility' who constitution remains mysterious.

Individualism - the methodological individualism of Rational Choice Theory is not able to allow the conceptualisation of structure or agency; and it can't cope with the relations between them.
On one hand, personal goal-formation absorbs society's structure and culture, thus undermining the atomistic character of Homo economicus. On the other hand, rational choice theorists can only look at structure and culture in their aggregates and cannot incorporate their influences as emergent properties that effect decision-making by shaping the situations that people confront.

Temporality - Rational Choice Theory presupposes the possibility of identifying people's preferences atemporally, because of their supposed stability. This is not borne out in reality - preferences have a history and a trajectory. When agents are involved, it is only by undergoing certain experiences that they are able to reflect on their past preferences.

Through this learning process, the agent becomes a different person, but it is for precisely this reason that it then becomes more difficult for them to rectify and realize their preferences in the future. Similarly, the background of structural change conditions preference transformation over the same time span. Rational Choice Theory though stereotypes a stable preference order, thus denying the creative reflexivity of agents, as they respond to changes in their circumstances over time

Contents:
List of illustrations
Notes on contributors
1. Introduction by Margaret S. Archer and Jonathan Q. Tritter

PART 1: Rationality
2. The bird in hand: rational choice - the default mode of social theorizing by Peter Wagner

3. Homo Economicus, Homo Sociologicus and Homo Sentiens by Margaret S. Archer

4. Is rational choice theory 'unreasonable'? The neglected emotions by Simon J. Williams

PART 2. Individualism

5. Social theory and the underclass: social realism or rational choice individualism? By Justin Cruickshank

6. (Ir)rational choice: a multidimensional approach to choice and constraint in decisions about marriage, divorce and remarriage by Kay Peggs and Richard Lampard

7. Switching allegiances: decisions by schools to 'opt out' to self-management by Jonathan Q. Tritter

8. Rational Choice or 'Hobson's Choice'? Intention and constraint in UK higher education by Andrew Parker

Part 3. Temporality

9. 'I do': a theoretical critique of Becker's rational choice approach to marriage decisions by Ian Procter

10. Decision-making as a process over time: the careers of home-located cultural workers by Carol Wolkowitz

11. The decision not to commit a crime against humanity by Robert Fine and David Hirsh

12. 'Race, ethnicity and housing decisions: rational choice theory and the choice-constraints debate by Peter Ratcliffe

Conclusion:
13. 'When the battle's lost and won' by James A. Beckford

Bibliography; Name Index, Subject Index

2000, Routledge, pbk

2000, Routledge, hbk

Other rational choice theory books of potential interest:

Other Margaret S. Archer Books:

• The Sociology of Industry. Studies in Sociology: 1 [top]
  Written by Stanley R. Parker, Richard. K. Brown, Dr. J. Child, and Michael. A. Smith
  Series Editor: Professor W. M. Williams, University College, Swansea
  First published in 1967 in Great Britain
  Fifth impression in 1971
  Second Edition first published in 1972 in Great Britain
  Third Edition first published in 1977 in Great Britain
  Third impression of the third edition in 1980, in paperback by George Allen & Unwin, 208pp, ISBN 0043010830. Hardback: 0043010822

About the Book: The book was first published in 1967, since which time the field of industrial sociology has developed very rapidly. The text was revised completely in 1972 and this new, extended and fully reset third edition includes assessments of recent research and theory, plus a fresh treatment of more long-standing issues. The book falls into three parts, corresponding to the three levels of sociological analysis. Part 1 considers the relationships between industrial and other institutions of society, such as education and the family. In Part II, the analysis moves to the internal structure of industrial organizations and the roles which individuals play in them. Part III covers what is sometimes called the sociology of occupations and deals with the work and non-work roles of individuals. The concluding chapters discuss questions concerning the relationship between industrial sociology and industrial society.
The book integrates theory and empirical research. Whereever possible, the authors have used British illustrative material but, where this is lacking or inadequate, American and European contributions are noted. The book is intended primarily for students of industrial and general sociology, but all those who have some interest in the problems of people at work will learn from it. A selected list of annotated recommended reading is provided at the end of each chapter, and an extensive bibliography adds to the usefulness of this standard introduction for students

About the Authors: At the time of publication, Dr. Parker was a Principal Social Survey Officer with the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys. Richard Brown was Reader in Sociology at the University of Durham and Dr. Child was Professor of Organisational Behaviour at the University of Aston Management Centre. Michael Smith was a Lecturer in Sociology at the University of Salford

Chapters:
Introduction to Third Edition
1. Industrial Sociology: Perspectives and Models by M. A. Smith
Sociological radicalism-sociological models-conclusion

Part One: Institutions and Systems
2. The Economy: Structure and Change by S. R. Parker
Changes in the economic structure: technology - Values - Organisation - Variations in Employment Levels and the Rise of 'Affluence'

3. Industry and Education by S. R. Parker
The influence of industry on education: Technical Education - The Influence of Education on Industry: Apprenticeship - Day Release and sandwich courses - Manpower and Education - School and Work: Aspirations and Expectations - Theories of Occupational Choice

4. Industry and the Family by S. R. Parker
The influence of industry on the family: Husband-wife roles - Kin relationships - Socialisation - The influence of the family on industry: Types of work - family relation - Married women working - Problems of the dual-career family

5. Industry and Social Stratification by S. R. Parker
The Influence of Industry on the stratification system: Studies of Occupational Status - Criticism of studies - status congruency - The influence of the stratification system on industry: Stratification theory and industry

6. Industry, the Community and the Polity by S. R. Parker
Industry and the community: Industry influences the community - The Community influences industry - Industry and the polity: Industry and political influence - Political and legal constraints on industry - Industrial relations and the law - Occupation and Political Behaviour

Part Two. Organisations and Roles
7. Organisations by M. A. Smith
The structuralist system approach - models and classifications - Conclusion

8. Approaches to Workplace Behaviour by R. K. Brown
Early approaches to human behaviour at work - The Hawthorne experiments - Research on human relations in industry - The Influence of Elton Mayo - The limitations of the human relations tradition - The 'technological limitations' approach - Soco-Technical systems and organisational choice - The Social Action approach and orientations to work' - Conclusion

9. Shopfloor Strategies and Reactions to Change by R. K. Brown
Technological and other influences on work groups - Responses to payment by results - Technical change and resistance to change - Shop Stewards and workplace bargaining

10. Management by J. Child
Management in the social structure - Variety in managerial orientations - Managerial Behaviour - Conclusion

11. Organised Interest Groups by S. R. Parker
Trade Unions and professional associations: Types of interest group - Trade Union structure and participating - Industrial Relations: Approaches on the Subject - Productivity Bargaining - Industrial Conflict

Part Three: Aspects of Occupations
12. Occupations, Changes and Their Consequences by S. R. Parker
The labour force - Mobility - Redundancy; Occupational Roles; Correlates of Occupational Membership - The Professionalisation Process - Better Working Lives

13. Work Involvement and its Alternatives by S. R. Parker
Work involvement and alienation - participation and industrial democracy - the 'leisure' alternative

14. The Subjective Experience of Work by S. R. Parker
Work ideology - Work Values - Work Attitudes - The Motivation to Work - Work Satisfaction

15. Questions of Procedure and Identity by J. Child
Questions of Procedure - Questions of Identity

16. Industrial Sociology and Industrial Society by J. Child
Industrialism - bureaucracy, managerialism and political control - A dream to be shattered

Bibliography; Index

Other books of potential interest:

Books on Sociology of Industry and the Family