The Sociology of Culture

Contents: Introduction. I. The general principles and subject-matter of the sociology of culture: 1. The sociology of culture as a special discipline. 2. The history of the sociology of culture. 3. Culture and systematic intellectual production. 4. The components of intellectual culture. 5. The functions of culture. 6. Culture in the system of social regulation. 7. Society and intellectual production. 8. The ethnic, national and civilisation plans of culture. II. General sociological principles in the study of western and eastern civilisations: 9. Modern western culture. 10. Eastern cultures and the major world religions. 11. Secular cultures in eastern civilisations. 12. Colonialism and culture. III. The cultural sociology of developing countries: 13. The formation of cultural sociology in newly-independent countries. 14. Present-day cultural processes in the developing countries. 15. Changes in the religious sphere. 16. The principles and problems of cultural development in the newly-independent countries. 17. Social and cultural change in India. 18. The interaction of cultures. 19. Culture and personality. Conclusion. Name index. Subject index.

"Boris Erasov, a Soviet culturologist, and Yogendra Singh, an Indian sociologist, collaborated to draw attention to a scientific discipline whose role is growing rapidly today. It regards culture not only as a purely liberal arts subject, but also as a component of social regulation.

Readers will find the answers to the following questions in The Sociology of Culture:

What is the meaning and structure of culture?
What is its role in society?
What causes changes in culture?
What is the relationship between the cultures of east and west?
Is the cultural heritage of the east still significant today?
What are the main trends in the modernisation of cultures in the newly independent countries?
How can one learn to appreciate the values, tenor and style of another culture?
How can one use the knowledge provided by the sociology of culture for improving the general climate of the world and defusing regional conflicts?"  (jacket)