Talcott Parsons (1902-1979) was the leading American sociological theorist of the twentieth century and one of the very few to achieve the classic status of Weber and Durkheim. A controversial figure, Parson's general framework of sociological theory has been regarded as difficult and inaccessible, and has been the subject of extensive and misleading criticism. In Founding Sociology? Talcott Parsons and the Idea of General Theory John Holmwood provides a fresh and approachable account of Parsons' work, reflecting the recent revival of interest in this important theorist. Starting with a brief history of sociological theory, John Holmwood then offers a clear and non-technical interpretation of the central themes of Parsons' writing which are still relevant to today's thinking. Although agreeing with the traditional view that Parsons' arguments are fundamentally flawed, the author proposes that important critics of Parsons - such as Habermas or Giddens - are in fact repeating his errors in their own theories. In addition, throughout the text, the author contributes to contemporary critical debates by developing his own arguments on the nature of the theoretical undertaking in sociology. Providing a refreshingly accessible and original approach to Parsons' work, Founding Sociology? will be welcomed by undergraduate and postgraduate students of social theory, researchers and acadamics. John Holmwood is Reader in the Department of Sociology and Deputy Director of the Graduate School in Social Sciences at the University of Edinburgh.

Acknowledgements.Introduction.1. The Age of Sociology? 2. The Theoretical Impasse. 3. The Idea of General Theory. 4. The Action Frame of Reference. 5. Structural-Functionalism, Theoretical Breakdown and the Embrace of contradiction. 6. A Marxist alternative? 7. Action and Explanation. Conclusion.