Political Sociology

Political sociology has a broad remit, covering both collective- and individual-level political phenomena. Social movements have long been the mainstay of political-sociological research, encompassing the rise, persistence and impact of these organizations across the modern era. Likewise far-reaching have been studies of the social origins of politics, including class structures, party cleavages and other social forces. On a more proximate level, research in political sociology has also encompassed the study of political elites, including their social origins, value orientations or cultural mores. Lastly, on a purely individual level, political sociology has involved the study of social capital and other social relationships between people. This field, in particular, has burgeoned over the last two decades, occupying a key position in many theoretical frameworks that seek to explain political development or the quality of democracy. The section will offer panels above all in these four broad domains: social movements, social cleavages, elite studies, and social capital. Other topics are also welcome, subject to their fit either within this or other related sections.