The Social Production of Indifference: Exploring the Symbolic Roots of Western Bureaucracy

Herzfeld, Michael

ISBN 10: 0226329089 / ISBN 13: 9780226329086

Published by The University of Chicago Press, 1993

About this Item

Seller Inventory # ABE-1760098155828

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Social Production of Indifference: Exploring the Symbolic Roots of Western Bureaucracy
• Publisher: The University of Chicago Press
• Publication Date: 1993
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0226329089
• ISBN 13: 9780226329086
• Binding: Soft cover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Condition: Very Good
• Dimensions: 14.199W x 21.615H x 1.422D centimeters 14.199 centimeters width by 21.615 centimeters height by 1.422 centimeters depth
• Weight: 272 grams

About this title

Synopsis

Herzfeld argues that "modern" bureaucratically regulated societies are no more "rational" or less "symbolic" than the societies traditionally studied by anthropologists. He suggests that we cannot understand national bureaucracies divorced from local-level ideas about chance, personal character, social relationships and responsibility.

"Herzfeld's book is extremely ambitious and will be of interest to any anthropologist concerned with the study of bureaucracy, organizational and institutional control, symbols and their power, and social conflict. . . . Thoughtful and challenging."—Helen B. Schwartzman, American Ethnologist

About the Author

Michael Herzfeld is the Ernest E. Monrad Professor of the Social Sciences in the Department of Anthropology at Harvard University and has taught at several other universities worldwide. He is the author of many books.