XIX ISA World Congress of Sociology (July 15-21, 2018)

652

Contemporary Applications of Anomie Theories

RC36 Alienation Theory and Research (host committee)

Language: English

This session follows up on the previous RC 36 session "Anomie and Alienation Theories Revisited." However, the focus has been shifted to contemporary developments in anomie theory, including its application in both theory and empirical studies. On the one hand, new theories – IAT in particular – have appeared. The development of the social sciences on the methodological level has also provided us with possibilities to check new types of hypothesis through such means as cross-country comparisons and various factor analysis techniques. On the other hand, new theoretical issues need to be challenged. Although we cannot speak of only one theory of anomie, the connections between the various existing theories are often rather vague. In addition, the tradition of empirical research has had an impact upon anomie theory itself, which has led to new problems and controversies, such as the issue of the relation between anomie and alienation. The discussion will thus address new developments in theory and empirical studies, encourage critical revision of contemporary anomie studies, and investigate the applicability of classical theoretical propositions in relation to contemporary societies. We welcome contributions that display the theoretical and empirical application of anomie theories in describing and explaining social, political, economic, and cultural phenomena today.