Energetic Theories of Society
An Evaluative Review
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 11599686 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Eugene A Rosa (Washington State University, corresponding author), Gary E Machlis (0000-0002-8915-5695, University of Idaho) |
| Year | 1983 |
| Volume | 53 |
| Issue | 2-3 |
| Pages | 152-178 |
| Publication date | 1983-04-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Sociological Inquiry (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0038-0245 • E-ISSN: 1475-682X |
| Publisher | Wiley (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1111/j.1475-682x.1983.tb00032.x |
| OpenAlex | W2025720161 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 13 |
| References cited | 25 |
Energy has grown in importance to sociologists over the past several years because of the growing interest in environmental variables and because of the reality of the energy predicament facing many contemporary societies. These concerns have stimulated a steady growth in energy‐related sociological research; unfortunately, this research has proceeded either atheoretically or along lines where energy issues are “gerryrigged” to traditional sociological concerns. A continuation of these practices offers little hope for producing cumulative knowledge. Sociologists interested in developing theoretical research programs or theoretically guided empirical energy research have a substantial intellectual base upon which to build. Scholarly history contains numerous theories that focus on the relationship between energy and human activity. Presented here is a critical overview of the most prominent of these “energetic” theories of society, followed by an illustration of the severe problems in their theoretical method using several examples. Several recommendations regarding theory development are made. Our objective is to expose those with energy or environmental interests to this intellectual base and to offer guidance for avoiding the shortcomings in that base
Base (topology · Economics · Empirical research · Energy (signal processing · Engineering ethics · Environmental ethics · Epistemology · Focus (optics · Knowledge base · Positive economics · Social science · Sociological research · Sociology · Climate Change Communication and Perception · Computer Science · Engineering · Environmental Education and Sustainability
Transformation of Industrial Energy Systems
Social and Behavioral Aspects of Energy use
Prolegomenon to a Structural Human Ecology of Human Well-Being
The Unsustainable State
A Burning Issue
Energy and outdoor recreation
Explaining technological impacts without determinism
The sociology of global climate change
The effort factor
Energy and social change
Sociology, energy and interdisciplinary environmental science
Cultural Evolution
Human Agency and the Evolutionary Dynamics of Culture
Ethics
Technics and civilization
Environment, power, and society
Environment, energy, and society
Contemporary sociological theories
Energy and Economic Myths
Energy
The Entropy Law and the Economic Process
A Theory of Justice
Our Energy; Regaining Control
Energy Policy in the United States
Social and Political Perspectives on Energy Policy
Sociobiology and Human Nature
U.S. Energy Policy and the Political Economy of Participation
Civics
Environmental Sociology
| Unique citing works | 13 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 0,33 |
| Citation span | 1986 - 2021 (36) |
| Citation velocity | historical |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 13 |