Robert Nisbet Livres

The Present Age challenges readers to reexamine the role of the United States in the world since World War I. Nisbet criticizes Americans for isolationism at home, discusses the gutting of educational standards, the decay of education, the presence of government in all facets of life, the diminished connection to community, and the prominence of economic arrangements driving everyday life in America. This work is deeply indebted to the analyses of Tocqueville and Bryce regarding the threats that bureaucracy, centralization, and creeping conformity pose to liberty and individual independence in the western world. The Present Age relates a tragedy—the unprecedented militarization of American life in the decades after 1914, as the result of the necessary resistance to National Socialist and Communist totalitarianism that fed into and reinforced the profound tendencies toward centralization within modern society. Robert Nisbet (1913–1996), former professor of sociology at Columbia University, is the author of Sociology as an Art Form; The Social Philosophers; Prejudices: A Philosophical Dictionary; The Sociological Tradition; History of the Idea of Progress; and Twilight of Authority, also published by Liberty Fund.

“We had thought, or our forefathers had, that modern liberal democracy would be spared the kind of erosion and decay that both Plato and Aristotle declared endemic in all forms of state. Now we are not so sure.” So wrote Robert Nisbet in the first edition of Twilight of Authority , published by Oxford University Press in 1975. “The centralization and, increasingly, individualization of power is matched in the social and cultural spheres by a combined hedonism and egalitarianism, each in its own way a reflection of the destructive impact of power on the hierarchy that is native to the social bond,” he writes.Robert Nisbet (1913–1996) taught at Columbia, the University of California at Berkeley, Smith College, and the University of Bologna.Robert G. Perrin is Professor of Sociology at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.

Exploring the foundational themes of conservatism, this book revisits the ideas that shaped Nisbet's influential work, The Quest for Community. It delves into the significance of social bonds, community values, and the tension between individualism and collective identity. By examining these enduring concerns, the book offers insights into the philosophical underpinnings of conservative thought and its relevance in contemporary society, encouraging readers to reflect on the importance of community in an increasingly fragmented world.

Robert Nisbet presents a fresh perspective on sociology, challenging conventional views and emphasizing the importance of social structures in understanding human behavior. His work delves into the complexities of social life, exploring themes of community, tradition, and the impact of modernity on society. Nisbet's insights position him as a significant figure in social thought, inviting readers to reconsider the dynamics of social interactions and the role of institutions in shaping individual experiences.

The Quest for Community, published in 1953, stands as one of the most persuasive accounts of the dilemmas confronting modern Society. --

This book provides an in-depth analysis of the Psalms of Degrees, commonly sung by Jewish pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem. Robert Nisbet explores their meaning in their original context and how they can still provide guidance and comfort to believers today.

The ongoing debate between progressivists and declinists highlights the enduring influence of Enlightenment ideas on contemporary thought. This discourse permeates various platforms, including intellectual journals and media, reflecting a vibrant dialogue that echoes the spirited discussions of the late seventeenth century. The book explores these contrasting perspectives on progress, examining their implications in modern society and how they shape current ideologies.

This collection of fiction delves into the lives of the residents of Haverfordwest, showcasing a blend of depth, poignancy, and humor. Through carefully selected stories, it captures the unique experiences and emotions of the characters, providing insightful reflections on their community and relationships.

The Sociological Tradition offers a deep intellectual background that significantly influenced the development of sociology as a discipline in America. By exploring foundational ideas and key thinkers, it enriches the understanding of sociological concepts and their historical context. This work serves as a crucial resource for anyone interested in the evolution of sociological thought and its impact on contemporary society.