Anthony Giddens
English sociologist known for structuration and modern society analysis.
Anthony Giddens, Baron Giddens, was born on 18 January 1938 and is an English sociologist. He is best known for his theory of structuration and a broad, integrated perspective on modern societies. With over 34 books to his name, he was ranked the fifth most cited author in the humanities in 2007. His career can be broken into four main phases.
The first phase focused on redefining sociology itself. Giddens offered a fresh theoretical and methodological framework by critically reinterpreting classic thinkers. Key works from this period include *Capitalism and Modern Social Theory* (1971) and *The Class Structure of the Advanced Societies* (1973).
In the second phase, he developed structuration theory, which examines agency and structure without giving priority to either. Books like *New Rules of Sociological Method* (1976), *Central Problems in Social Theory* (1979), and *The Constitution of Society* (1984) brought him international recognition.
The third phase turned to modernity, globalisation, and politics. Giddens critiqued postmodernity and proposed a "utopian-realist" Third Way in politics. This is captured in works such as *The Consequences of Modernity* (1990), *Modernity and Self-Identity* (1991), *The Transformation of Intimacy* (1992), *Beyond Left and Right* (1994), and *The Third Way* (1998).
More recently, Giddens has addressed concrete global problems. He wrote about climate change in *The Politics of Climate Change* (2009), examined the European Union in *Turbulent and Mighty Continent* (2014), and has given lectures on the Digital Revolution.
Giddens was Director of the London School of Economics from 1997 to 2003, where he is now Emeritus Professor of Sociology. He is also a life fellow of King’s College, Cambridge. According to the Open Syllabus Project, he is the most frequently cited author on college sociology syllabi.
Born and raised in Edmonton, London, Giddens came from a lower-middle-class family; his father was a clerk for London Transport. He attended Minchenden Grammar School and was the first in his family to go to university. He earned a joint undergraduate degree in sociology and psychology from the University of Hull in 1959, followed by a master’s degree at the London School of Economics under David Lockwood and Asher Tropp, and later a PhD at King’s College, Cambridge. In 1961, he began teaching social psychology at th
- born
- 18 January 1938
- field
- Sociology
- nationality
- English
- known_for
- Theory of structuration, holistic view of modern societies, Third Way politics
Lore & Background
Giddens was born and raised in Edmonton, London, in a lower-middle-class family, the son of a clerk with London Transport. He attended Minchenden Grammar School and was the first in his family to attend university, earning an undergraduate degree in joint sociology and psychology at the University of Hull in 1959. He received a master's degree at the London School of Economics, supervised by David Lockwood and Asher Tropp, and later a PhD at King's College, Cambridge. He began teaching social psychology at the University of Leicester in 1961, where he met Norbert Elias and began developing his own theoretical position. In 1969, he was appointed to the University of Cambridge, later helping create the Social and Political Sciences Committee. He worked at Cambridge as a fellow of King's College and was promoted to full professor in 1987. He is cofounder of Polity Press (1985). From 1997 to 2003, he served as Director of the London School of Economics, where he is now Emeritus Professor. He was given a life peerage in June 2004 as Baron Giddens and sits in the House of Lords for the Labour Party.
Reader's Guide
Giddens's significance lies in his development of structuration theory, which analyzes agency and structure without granting primacy to either, and in his holistic view of modern societies. His work is divided into four stages: first, outlining a new vision of sociology through critical reinterpretation of classics; second, developing structuration theory in works such as The Constitution of Society (1984); third, addressing modernity, globalization, and politics, including the 'Third Way' in politics; and fourth, focusing on concrete problems like climate change and the European Union. He has held academic appointments worldwide and received numerous honorary degrees. According to the Open Syllabus Project, Giddens is the most frequently cited author on college syllabi for sociology courses. His textbook Sociology has sold over one million copies. He has been a vocal participant in British political debates, supporting the centre-left Labour Party.
Did You Know?
- Giddens was listed in 2007 as the fifth most cited author in the humanities.
- He is the most frequently cited author on college syllabi for sociology courses, according to the Open Syllabus Project.
- He cofounded Polity Press in 1985.
- His textbook Sociology has sold over one million copies.
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