An Anatomy of Power
The Social Theory of Michael Mann

A systematic and critical assessment of the work of Michael Mann, one of the most influential sociologists of recent decades.

John A. Hall (Edited by), Ralph Schroeder (Edited by)

9780521850001, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 30 January 2006

420 pages
23.6 x 15.7 x 3 cm, 0.804 kg

'… 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.' Journal of Power

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.

Introduction: the IEMP model and its critics Ralph Schroeder
Part I. Theory, Practice, Method: 2. Mann's transformation of the classic sociological traditions Randall Collins
3. Political questions John A. Hall
4. Mann's microfoundations: addressing neo-Weberian dilemmas Edgar Kiser
5. Grand yet grounded: ontology, theory and method in Mann's historical sociology Joseph Bryant
Part II. Types of Power: 6. Mann's theory of ideological power: sources, applications and elaborations Philip Gorski
7. Political power un-manned: a defence of the holy trinity from Mann's military attack Gianfranco Poggi
8. Mann, the state and war John Hobson
9. Infrastructural power, economic transformation and globalization Linda Weiss
Part III. European Exceptionalism?: 10. From theory to history: 'the European dynamic' or 'from Feudalism to capitalism'? Robert Brenner
11. The rise of the west Stephen Epstein
12. A historical, not comparative method: breakthroughs and limitations in the theory and methodology of Michael Mann's analysis of power Jack Goldstone
Part IV. Promise and Perils of Modernity: 13. The 'British' sources of social power: reflections on history, sociology, and intellectual biography Frank Trentmann
14. Networks and ideologies: the fusion of 'is' and 'ought' as a means to social power Jack Snyder
15. Mann's dark side: linking democracy and genocide David Laitin
Part V. Response: 16. The sources of power revisited: a response to criticism Michael Mann.

Subject Areas: Politics & government [JP], Sociology & anthropology [JH]