Politics without the Political: A Critique of Political Sociology

• In Event: 557 - Theory Section Refereed Roundtable Session and Business Meeting
  In Refereed Roundtable 60min: Table 08. Political and Policy Sociology

Abstract

Research in political sociology is oftentimes based in an implicit definition of the political. This definition, while fruitful in uncovering the relationship between politics and various social institutions and structures, limits the scope of where politics can occur and the relationship between the political and the social. This paper examines the characteristics of this implicit ontological choice and argues for a different version of the political based in the contestation of relationships and resources among actors in society. Comparing this version of the political to state-centric and economic-centric strains of political sociology shows new potential avenues of understanding politics in society.

Author

• Brian T. Connor, University of Maryland, College Park