Modernization and the Structure of Societies: The Organisational Contexts of Societies

By: Marion J. Levy Jr.

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Synopsis: In Modernization and the Structure of Societies, Marion Levy shows the interdependencies of societies as a systematic whole in matters that are relevant for international affairs. He distinguishes different types of societies while simultaneously showing elements common to all societies. In a new epilogue being added to this edition, titled "Modernization Exhumed," the author alleges that criticism of modernization theory has generally been ideological or otherwise nonscientific. He provides a strong defense of his hypothesis. In his new introduction, he concentrates on the concept of interdependency. Modernization and the Structure of Societies is crucial to the understanding of contemporary international problems. It is a necessary addition to the personal libraries of sociologists, political scientists, and scholars of international affairs., Levy writes so as to produce strong reactions, but this does not obscure his real contribution. Because of his ambitious effort to synthesize a tremendous amount of available scholarship, the study is certain to last for a long time as a standard reference in the field of comparative sociology."—Morris Janowitz, American Journal of Sociology, "A giant book raising innumerable problems, often an exasperating book, yet important and likely to be much referred to by writers on comparative politics and administration."—Fred W. Riggs, American Political Science Review.