Classical Theorists in the Social Sciences

Description

This book is a useful companion to every social science student who desires an understanding of classical theoretical developments in and evolution of the disciplines.

Sujets

• Social Science
• Sociologie, société et politique

Informations

• Publié par: Malthouse Press
• Date de parution: 05 mai 2023
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9789786020419
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 12 Mo

Extrait

CLASSICAL THEORISTS IN THE SOCIAL SCIENCES From Western Ideas to African Realities

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CLASSICAL THEORISTS IN THE SOCIAL SCIENCES From Western Ideas to African Realities Edited by Dejo Abdulrahman, Ilufoye S. Ogundiya, & Jimoh Amzat

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© Dejo Abdulrahman, Ilufoye Ogundiya, & Jimoh Amzat  2021 First Published 2021 ISBN: 978-978-54775-6-6

Published in Nigeria by

Malthouse Press Limited 43 Onitana Street, Off Stadium Hotel Road, Off Western Avenue, Lagos Mainland E-mail: [e-mail] Facebook:@malthouselagos Twitter:@malthouselagos Instagram:@malthouselagos Tel: [phone]

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This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not by way of trade, or otherwise, be lent, re-sold, hired out, or otherwise circulated without the publisher’s prior consent in writing, in any form of binding or cover other than in which it is published and without a similar condition, including this condition, being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.

Distributors: African Books Collective Ltd, Oxford, UK Email: [e-mail] Website: http://www.africanbookscollective.com

Acknowledgements and Preface

The social sciences, the last of the sciences to develop upon the realization of their imperatives in ensuring a better society, focus on human behaviour in all its ramifications. Theorizing human society is a huge task because of the complexity of human behaviour and society. The social sciences rely on both research and theory in the formulation of their arguments or explanations. The reciprocal relationship between theory and research has made the two aspects inseparable. The main thrust of this book is to examine the relevance of classical theorists to the understanding and development of social science discourse concerning Africa in general and Nigeria in particular. Western theorists and ideas laid the foundation of most theoretical thinking in the social sciences without prejudice to Ibn Khaldun, among other early African theorists. Therefore, this book explores western ideas and their application or relevance to African settings. Theories are intellectual or philosophical submissions developed from systematic reasoning and empirical activities to explain the function and structure of human societies. Social science theories are systems of ideas based on generalized principles intended to explain social phenomena (political, sociological, anthropological, geographical, economic phenomena [among others]). A theory signifies a thought process, rational and systematic thinking about a phenomenon to generate logical explanations. The first and second chapters of this book provide adequate explanations of meaning, components, context and usefulness of sociological and political theories. The (two) introductory chapters provide solid groundwork required to understand the usefulness, conceptual and contextual frame of the theories discussed in this text. Theories constitute the building blocks from which explanations about human societies emerge. Theories are highly structured, scholarly and explanatory. There are hundreds of theories and theorists in the social sciences. It is not possible to write about all; consequently, the book selects and discusses the prominent theorists in the fields of social sciences, especially political science and sociology. It is essential to note the dearth of local literature in the area of social science theories, apart from the inadequate adaptation or application of the available (foreign) ones to the local contexts. Hence, the book represents an essential text

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for social science students in Nigeria and beyond to familiarise themselves with the socio-scientific and theoretical contributions to the understanding of human societies. Also, theories are often technical, and theoretical language could be somehow tricky to understand, not just because of their abstract nature, but logical reasoning which somehow deviates from common sense or beliefs. Consequently, another motive of this book is to present, as simple as possible, most theoretical contributions in a way that the students will grasp the context and content of such contributions. Theory courses, usually compulsory in the social sciences, constitute a major academic hurdle to most students. Scholars must fashion a way to present theories and theorists in a way that is not "monstrous" or difficult to digest. Therefore, this book simplifies, as much as possible, theories of the ancient, classical and contemporary times, which form the bulk of the course outlines in theory classes. There are several approaches to theoretical discussions, which include personality and thematic approaches, among others. Apart from four chapters, the book follows the personality approach, which involves the discussion of the contributions of each theorist to the development of social science discourse. To a large extent, the book discusses the dominant theorists in the social sciences. As previously mentioned, this volume focuses on dominant western scholars. There is hope that another volume will focus on African scholars. The personality approach provides comprehensive contributions from a particular scholar and facilitates comparison at the individual level and in terms of contributions to various themes. The book, Classical Theorists in the Social Sciences: From Western Ideas to African Realities , should be of great interest to both undergraduate and postgraduate students in the social sciences, including but not limited to economics, geography, public administration, political science, sociology, anthropology and demography. The book should be a companion to every social science student who desires an understanding of classical theoretical developments in the disciplines. The major strengths of the book are the illustrative and simple approaches used to enhance the understanding of the contents. Our thanks and gratitude to the contributors for making this book possible.

The Editors, May, 2020 .

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Editors Abdulrahman, Dejo A., Professor, Department of Sociology, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria, and Fellow, Social Science Academy of Nigeria (FSSAN). Ogundiya, Ilufoye Sarafa, Professor, Department of Political Science, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria, and Senior Fellow, French Institute for Research in Africa (IFRA). Amzat, Jimoh, Professor, Department of Sociology, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria, and Senior Research Associate, Department of Sociology, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa. Contributors Abdullahi A. Ali., Associate Professor, Department of Sociology, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria, and Senior Research Associate, Department of Sociology, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa. Adebiyi, O. M., Department of Political Science, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria. Adedeji, Isaac A. (PhD), Department of Sociology, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, Nigeria. Adejare, Gbenga Sunday, Department of Sociology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria. Akanle, Olayinka (PhD), Department of Sociology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria, and Senior Research Associate, Department of Sociology, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa. Aliyu, T. K., Department of Sociology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. Apam, James Iorliam, Professor, Department of Political Science, Benue State University, Makurdi, Nigeria. Ayodeji, Adedeji O., Department of Political Science, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.

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Azeez, Olaniyan (PhD), Department of Political Science, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria. Bakare, A. R., Department of Political Science, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria. Bamidele, Seun, Department of International Relations, Chrisland University, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. Bello, Bashir (PhD), Department of Sociology, Federal University Gusau, Nigeria. Bello, Abdulganeey A. (PhD), Department of Economics, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria. Ilesanmi, Oluwatoyin Olatundun (PhD), Centre for Gender and Development Studies, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria. Issah, Moshood, Department of Sociology, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria. Kolo, Victor I., Department of Sociology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria. Kura, Sulaiman Y. Balarabe, Professor, Department of Political Science, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria. Lawal, Saheed Akinmayọwa (PhD), Department of Sociology, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, Nigeria. Mahmoud, K. O., Department of Sociology, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria. Odok, Godwin Etta (PhD), Department of Sociology, Federal University Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State. Olarinde, Muftau Olaiya (PhD), Department of Economics, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria. Oluwasuji, C. Olawole, Political Science and International Studies, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria Omodia, Stephen M., Professor, Political Science Department, Edo University, Iyamho, Edo State, Nigeria. Omonijo, Dare Ojo Department of Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme, Covenant University/Department of Sociology, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye. Oyewole, Samuel, Department of Political Science, Federal University, Oye- Ekiti, Nigeria. Saka, Luqman, Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria.

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Saliman, Tunde Salahu, Department of Social Work, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria. Shatambaya, Ibrahim Baba, Department of Political Science, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria.

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