Review by Choice Review
A pioneer in economic sociology, Portes (Princeton) presents one of the best systematic efforts in the burgeoning attempt to bring sociological inquiry to economic studies. Though economic sociologists are more than likely to be already familiar with Portes's work, the author's emphasis on theory accumulation, or "usable theory," as proposed by Dietrich Rueschemeyer, makes this book exceptional. Portes classifies ideas into three categories--"meta-theoretical principles, explanatory mechanisms, and strategic sites of inquiry"--and organizes his book accordingly. For meta-theoretical principles, Portes examines socially oriented economic action, unexpected consequences of purposive action, and power. The author selects and analyzes three important explanatory mechanisms: social capital, social class, and social institutions. He also presents his investigation of three well-known research sites: the informal economy, ethnic enclaves and intermediary minorities, and transnational communities. The book provides a synthesis of the major achievements in economic sociology in the past decades, but its real strength is its agenda-setting potential for future research. An exemplary combination of theoretical sophistication and methodological rigor, Portes's book is a must read for all economic sociologists. Summing Up: Essential. Upper-division undergraduates and above. J. Li Columbia University
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
