The making of social theory

*Offering a clear, historically grounded introduction to the major thinkers, debates, and intellectual traditions that shaped modern sociology. Anthony Thomson traces how social theory developed in response to changing economic, political, and cultural conditions, showing how each generation of theorists grappled with the challenges of understanding social life.  The book examines classical foundations-Marx, Durkheim, Weber-and follows their influence into contemporary perspectives, including feminism, post-structuralism, critical theory, and globalization studies. Thomson empathizes how theories emerge from real social problems and how they evolve as those  problems change. Designed for students and readers new to sociological theory, the text combines accessible explanations with careful historical context, helping readers see not only what major theorists argued but why their ideas mattered in their time and continue to matter today.*