Social Theory and Globalization

Paper Summary:

The paper explains P.F. Kelly's basic argument that a complex social process such as globalization, which is significantly changing the world today, is capable of causing various conflicting interpretations of its meaning to surface among social researchers. The paper looks at the macro theory used by Kelly of structural functionalism and explains the three main ideas involved in this theory.

From the Paper:

"Social theory involves the use of theoretical frameworks for the purpose of explaining social meanings, structures, and processes. Kelly utilizes social theory for the purpose of arguing that a specific social phenomenon such as globalization can be widely interpreted through it (1999). It is assumed that such interpretations are possible because discourses surrounding this phenomenon are not absolute but socially produced ideas. It is believed that globalization and its importance upon the world has to be analyzed using critical social theory in order for scholars to come to a better understanding of the complex social processes occurring in the world today."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Kelly, PF, 1999, "The geographies and politics of globalization", Progress in Human Geography, vol. 23, no. 3, pp. 379-400.
• "Talcott Parsons", July 26, 2004. Available from: http://www.bolender.com/Sociological%20Theory/Parsons,%20Talcott/parsons,_talcott.htm[May 19, 2007]

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