The Sociology of Disruption, Disaster and Social Change: Punctuated CooperationIn the wake of disruption and disaster, cooperation among members of a collective is refocused on matters of status, membership and the formation of coalitions. In an important contribution to sociological theory, Hendrik Vollmer emphasizes the processes through which disruptions not only affect, but also transform social order. Drawing on Erving Goffman's understanding of framing and the interaction order, as well as from a range of insights from contemporary sociological theory and ethnographic, historical and organizational research, Vollmer addresses the dynamics of disaster and disaster response within the framework of a general theory of disruption and social order. It is proposed that the adjustment of cooperation in favour of coalition-forming strategies is robust in both informal and organized social settings and transcends the 'micro' and 'macro' approaches currently favoured by theorists. Offering a systematic sociological analysis of the impact of disruptiveness, this book investigates how punctuated cooperation precipitates social change. |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
accommodation actual occasions analysis aspects associated behaviour Bourdieu breaching experiments chapter co—present coalitions cognitive collective Collins concept coordination equilibria correlation defined definition disastrous disruptions discussed distinct domination downkeying dynamics ecological huddle effectiveness emergent empirical endogenous order Erving Goffman evolutionary game theory example experience exploring fields find findings first focus forms framing disruptions Garfinkel Gestapo Giddens Goffman Gouldner gradually investigation involved Karl Weick membership microsociological mobilized Nazi normative expectations officers organization members organizational stress organized cooperation participants particular potential practical sense primary group cohesion problems processes producing productions of context punctuated cooperation punctuated equilibrium rekeying relational expectations relational keying respect responding to disruptiveness responses run of social runs of activity Shils and Janowitz significance situated activity social capital social change social order social situations sociological sociologists specific strategies stratification structures symbols and resources tend theory tion tive understanding upkeying violence and warfare violent engagements Wehrmacht Weick Whilst