Powers of Theory: Capitalism, the State, and Democracy
'An ambitious and sophisticated work of integration that brings together all the most important literature on modern democratic capitalist states within a single, overall, highly illuminating argument.' Steven Lukes, Balliol College, Oxford'An original, provocative, and ambitious attempt to synthesise the major theoretical traditions of political sociology into a coherent general framework, the work is not only accessible to students, but will also be stimulating reading for seasoned academics interested in recent debates and new ideas.' Erik Olin, Wright University of Wisconsin-Madison'Alford and Friedland succeed in characterising pluralist, managerial, and class perspectives on state and society under capitalism, in showing how each fails, and in sketching complementarities among them.' Charles Tilly, New School for Social Research