Society Culture and Urbanization Author:S . N. Eisenstadt, Arie Shachar In Society, Culture and Urbanization, the authors distill over a decade of research in the thory of urbanization. They have achieved new insights into the ways in which the process of urbanization has taken place over long periods of time and across may different cultures and societies. After reviewing the existing theories of urb... more »anization, Eisenstadt and Shachar offer a new theoretical approach. They use a macrosocietal and comparative approach to analyse nine civilizations in the context of their political regimes, social processes, and cultures. Various aspects of social change are examined including technological development, power relations, the social division of labour, and conflicts as they are shaped by cultural forms and traditions.Society, Culture and Urbanization challenges and enlarges the boundaries by which we understand the evolution of cities over time, space, and within vastly different social and cultural environments.`A masterful integration and advancement of social science knowledge about urban life and form. The authors' enlightening comparative and historical perspectives deepen our understanding of the rise of cities and contribute rich insights to the evolution of urban systems.' -- John D Kasarda, University of North Carolina`A masterwork in the historical and comparative sociology of the urban phenomenon. Rooted in nine historical case studies of societies in the East and the West, early and late, the book advances a theory of urbanization that illuminates its vast subject to enlighten readers.' -- Professor Robert Merton, Columbia University« less