Principles of Group Solidarity (California Series on Social Choice and Political Economy) [Paperback]

Michael Hechter (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 24, 1988 | ISBN-10: 0520064623 | ISBN-13: 978-0520064621

Social scientists have long recognized that solidarity is essential for such phenomena as social order, class, and ethnic consciousness, and the provision of collective goods. In presenting a new general theory of group solidarity, Michael Hechter here contends that it is indeed possible to build a theory of solidarity based on the action of rational individuals and in doing so he goes beyond the timeworn disciplinary boundaries separating the various social sciences.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"An important work in contemporary theory and essential reading for all of those who are interested in developing a general theory of human social organization. . . . Principles of Group Solidarity is the most provocative use of rational choice assumptions in theoretical sociology." -- Jonathan H. Turner, Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science

"[Principles of Group Solidarity ] will be a great help in reducing the gap between Public Choice and economics on the one hand and sociology on the other. . . . Hechter emphatically is . . . a perceptive sociologist." -- Gordon Tullock, Public Choice

From the Inside Flap

"A remarkably new departure in sociology [that] is likely to bring new life into the whole discipline."--William H. Riker, University of Rochester

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: University of California Press (August 24, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0520064623
• ISBN-13: 978-0520064621
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #561,148 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars About as Good as it Could Be, May 6, 2008

By 

Michael Bishop "aspiring scientist of the social" (Chicago) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Principles of Group Solidarity (California Series on Social Choice and Political Economy) (Paperback)

The Lewis review makes some good points, but unless you can recommend a book that does everything Hechter does and more, then this is essential reading for everyone interested in the topic.

2 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A good beginning, September 11, 2003

By 

J. S. Lewis "bibliophile" (Harrisburg, PA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Principles of Group Solidarity (California Series on Social Choice and Political Economy) (Paperback)

Hechter's text is a good beginning to the problem of solidarity, but it lacks the completeness that is needed in this field. For instance, there is a notable lack of generalizability beyond the human animal. Additionally, all of the evidence Hechter musters come from artificial groups, rather than natural ones; it is not easy to see how his principles might apply to certain naturally occurring groups. Hecther also leaves out a discussion of emotion in solidarity--a point that seems necessary to include. Finally, while Hechter spends some time on the problem of freeriders, he never really solves the dilemma. In fact, it is difficult to see how his theory can adequately deal with this vital issue.

But the good thing is that Hechter does lay a foundation for further study of this important topic. Hechter quite correctly elevates the issue of solidarity to a central place in sociology. The use of a tempered rational choice approach is nicely reasoned and given just due. All in all, this is a must read for those wishing to begin studying the problem of solidarity, but it is just that--a beginning point.