Constructing the Social System

Sociologists normally focus on a specific area of study much as medicine, family, education or organization. Bernard Barber's sociological work reflects a different approach. He constructs a provisional, generalized, substantive theory of the social system, which he uses as the starting point and focus of his specialized researches. In this collection of his major writings in social system theory, Barber shows how he has used and developed such a framework over the last fifty years.
Constructing the Social System covers the following major areas of sociological work: social, biology, physical space, social structure, culture, personality, deviance and social change. Barber demonstrates the application of social system theory and its contribution to these areas. He encourages his colleagues to be more open to such an approach. Although his chief inspiration was Talcott Parsons, Barber has considered the usefulness of many diverse sociologists and various analysts including Harold Garfinkel in ethnomethodology, Peter Blau in exchange theory, James Coleman in rational choice theory, and Ronald Burt in network theory.
Constructing the Social System aims to provide a foundation of the concrete application for further research of this kind. Barber shows the benefits of social system theory in research design. His book will inspire other social scientists to try this approach.

Bernard Barber is professor emeritus of sociology at Columbia University.