Now with SAGE Publishing, and co-authored by one of the foremost authorities on sociological theory, the Eighth Edition of Modern Sociological Theory by George Ritzer and Jeffrey Stepnisky provides a comprehensive overview of the major theorists and theoretical schools, from the Structural Functionalism of early 20th century through the cutting-edge theories of the late 20th and early 21st centuries. The integration of key theories with biographical sketches of theorists and the requisite historical and intellectual context helps students to better understand the original works of contemporary thinkers.

New to this Edition

• A new chapter focuses theories of race, racism, and colonialism, as well as theories about indigenous peoples and theories from the “Global South” that challenge the work of scholars from Europe and North America.


• New material on colonialization, classical women theorists, and race, as well as new timelines in history chapters.


• The chapter on Symbolic Interactionism now discusses work on the sociology of emotions.


• The concluding chapter now discusses affect theory and theories of prosumption, one of the newest developments in consumer theory.


• The chapter on Contemporary Theories of Modernity includes new section on the work of Charles Taylor.


• New perspectives on the work of Immanuel Wallerstein have been added to the chapter on Neo-Marxian theories.


• The opening historical sketch chapters now include a discussion of colonialism as one of the forces that shaped modern society; new material on the historical significance of early women founders; and a section on theories of race.