Ebook: The Established and the Outsiders: A sociological enquiry into community problems

'The Established and the Outsiders' is a classic text from one of the major figures of world sociology. This new edition includes a theoretical introduction, published in English for the first time.

In Norbert Elias's hands, a local community study of tense relations between an established group and outsiders — with no other discernible difference between them — becomes a microcosm that illuminates a wide range of sociological configurations including racial, ethnic, class and gender relations.

The book examines the mechanisms of stigmatisation, taboo and gossip, monopolisation of power, collective fantasy and "we" and "they" — images which support and reinforce divisions in society. Developing aspects of Elias's thinking that relate his work to current sociological concerns, it presents the fullest elaboration of his concepts of mutual identification and functional democratisation.

'The Established and the Outsiders' not only brings out the important theoretical implications of micro-analysis but also demonstrates the significance of such detailed study for better sociological theory. It will be essential reading for students and scholars in social theory, sociology and anthropology.

The late Norbert Elias's works include 'The Civilizing Process', 'The Court Society', 'What is Sociology?' and 'The Symbol Theory' (Sage,1991).
The late John L. Scotson was lecturer at Lough borough College of Further Education.