Truly interdisciplinary work between Sociology and History is are, because one discipline usually exploits the concerns or data of the other. Eric Carlton, however, has succeeded in bringing together the distinctive orientations of sociology and ancient history into a clearly written discussion of concerns crucial to both disciplines. Based on a comparative analysis or two pre-industrial civilisations, those of Ancient Egypt and Classical Athens, the study is primarily concerned with three issues. The first is the relationship between belief and action: does belief (intellectualised as ideology) affect or determine social behaviour? Second, the author examines the ways in which belief contributes to stability and ‘good order’ in society, and asks to what extent such factors as social status and social change are related to institutionalised mechanisms of social control. Finally, he indicates possible sociological frameworks or models which are ideological rather than stratificatory, whereby complex pre-industrial systems might be analysed. By analysing the societies of Ancient Egypt and Classical Athens in institutional terms, Eric Carlton examines the potency and pervasiveness of the ideological factor and shows that it is a persistent and determinative feature of this type of society.

Product Description: The principle purpose of Religious Education has traditionally been to instruct and inform, with discussion and questioning occupying a secondary position. This traditional approach gives overwhelming emphasis to the historical aspects of religion, and not only fails to put into perspective the issues raised by religion today, but also takes no account of the growing movement in schools towards learning by enquiry and questioning rather than by the accumulation of stated facts...read more

Product Description: The principle purpose of Religious Education has traditionally been to instruct and inform, with discussion and questioning occupying a secondary position. This traditional approach gives overwhelming emphasis to the historical aspects of religion, and not only fails to put into perspective the issues raised by religion today, but also takes no account of the growing movement in schools towards learning by enquiry and questioning rather than by the accumulation of stated facts...read more

Product Description: This text looks at some of the ways in which the Ojust societyO has been conceived in a number of representative social systems. While the principal theme is that of justice, the underlying themes are those of political and religious ideology.

Product Description: "Dancing in the Dark" is the title of a 1930s love song that has a philosophical edge, and in its own way encapsulates the central problem, What is life about? Can we possibly come to terms with life's vicissitudes, and can these be understood within a religious framework? The problem of theodicy is the most intractable issue in the philosophy of religion...read more

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Product Description: Carlton (sociology and social policy, University of Durham) considers the enduring fascination with experiences for which science offers no ready explanation. He traces the historical development of ideas and research associated with the paranormal, from the ancient cultures of Mesopotamia and Egyp...read more (view table of contents, read Amazon.com's description)

Product Description: Exploring the world of treason with comparative case studies, this book aims to dissect the sometimes confused layer of issues, whether financial, ideological, resentment or revenge, in order to ascertain the motives. (view table of contents, read Amazon.com's description)

Product Description: Written from a political and historical perspective, this work focuses on the Coup d'Etat - using case examples such as Classical Athens, Republican Rome, Japan, Mughal India, Egypt, and Iran.

Product Description: Social scientists are concerned with élites of many kinds - bureaucracies, military oligarchies, political leaders and the like. The study of élites is frequently characterised by a certain suspicion, and the tone of the enquirer’s description and discussion of such groups is often sceptical if not actually hostile...read more

Product Description: An examination of the spontaneous and organized mass cruelty in the conduct of war, revolution and military occupation. It is an historical - covering the period from classical times to the 20th century - as well as comparative study...read more

Product Description: An analysis of the phenomenon of despotism, enhancing its approach with a range of examples from history. Amongst despots covered are Alexander, Timur, Henry VIII, Peron, Stalin, Idi Amin and Hans Frank. Different types are also included - ecclesiastical, military and religious.

Product Description: This work examines spontaneous and organized mass cruelty in the conduct of war, revolution and military occupation. It covers the period from classical times to the 20th century, seeking to relate the criteria whereby humans make moral judgements to particular sets of circumstances...read more

Product Description: Why do men resort to war to solve their socio-economic problems? That is the question that Eric Carlton asks, and attempts to answer, in this stimulating, readable study. Relating war to ideology, this book is based on the proposition that men act as they think, and think as they believe, and that belief - religious or otherwise - conditions attitudes toward the nature and conduct of war...read more

Product Description: Looking across a number of societies, Eric Carlton investigates why men and women go to war and how they are able to commit atrocities against their enemy. He believes that central to these issues is the perception of the enemy and the ways in which this is "converted" - consciously or unconsciously - into an ideology of aggression...read more