An appraisal of Shmuel Noah Eisenstadt’s global historical sociology
Willfried Spohn
Shmuel N. Eisenstadt was one of the great sociologists second half twentieth century and a major visionary for sociological challenges twenty-first century. As I claim, his overall work should be understood as life-long critical conversation with classical modernization paradigm from heterodox peripheral point view — reflecting Holocaust experience European modernity well precarious construction modern society in Israel. such, oeuvre can viewed an alternative, neo-Weberian synthesis sociology to mainstream sociology. To demonstrate this firstly reconstruct Eisenstadt’s theory modernity, emphasizing tensions, contradictions paradoxes global modernity. Secondly, highlight contours comparative-civilizational, multiple modernities approach that has materialized numerous path-breaking analyses several civilizations not only Western but particularly non-Western civilizational complexes. Thirdly, emphasize innovative research direction analysis new field world history. Fourthly, show also recently growing area globalization society. Taken together, see inspirations historical
Journal of Classical Sociology