1. Sociology 219: Institutional Theories: Cultural / Phenomenological Approaches Class 5: “Actors” in modern society Copyright © 2009 by Evan Schofer

2. Announcements Assignment #2 Due Short Assignment 3 handed out (on web) Due in 2 weeks Talks today: 1:00 ICSW/Soc 259: Katie Bolzendahl: "Domains, Disaggregation, And Welfare State Development: Does Gender Equality Matter?" Next week No Class – President’s day! In 2 weeks: Social construction of modern states.

3. Agenda Preview of upcoming readings Presentations: Kelly and Jared Discussion of readings ~10 minute break at 10:30.

4. Reading Preview Meyer, John W. 2004. “The Nation As Babbitt: How Countries Conform.” Contexts, 3, 3 (Summer):42-47. “Fun” overview piece from contexts: the social construction of modern states Contrast: Political science (realism) emphasizing states as rational actors Meyer, John W., John Boli, George Thomas, and Francisco O. Ramirez. 1997. “World Society and the Nation-State.” American Journal of Sociology. Vol 103, 1 (July 1997): 144-181. A review of phenomenological institutional work on the state.

5. Reading Preview Useful typology, relates to Meyer et al. 1997: RealistPhenomenological Macro Micro Economic Competition: World System Theory Military Competition: Tilly, others Neo-realism Economics National culture arguments Scholarship emphasizing local ‘social construction’ Military Competition: Tilly, others

6. Reading Preview Boli, John and George Thomas. 1999. “INGOs and the Organization of World Culture.” Chapter 1 in Boli, John, and George M. Thomas. Constructing World Culture: International Nongovernmental Organizations since 1875. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press. A paper reflecting on ‘world culture’ and the role of associations in embodying and sustaining that culture. Frank, David J., Ann M. Hironaka, and Evan Schofer. 2000. “The Nation State and the Natural Environment, 1900-1995.” American Sociological Review, 65 (Feb): 96-116. An empirical paper looking at state environmental policies.

7. Reading Preview Finnemore, Martha. 1996. “Norms, Culture, and World Politics: Insights from Sociology’s Neo-institutionalism.” International Organization, 50, 2:325-347. Relates institutional ideas to political science Chirot, Daniel and Thomas D. Hall. 1982. World-System Theory. Annual Review of Sociology, 8:81-106. Reviews a related tradition: world-system theory.

8. Mini-Presentations Kelly: March/Garbage can; Jared: Kahneman.

9. Class Discussion Start with Ansell… Then Dobbin Then Meyer review –After break Wrap up Meyer review Meyer Jepperson Actorhood.