Who has stated in his book, The Structure of Social Action that "The division of labour is a milestone in the history of social thought'?

The correct answer is - Talcott Parsons

Key Points

• Talcott Parsons
  • Talcott Parsons is a prominent American sociologist known for his work in the field of social action theory.
  • In his book, The Structure of Social Action, he emphasized the importance of the division of labour as a significant milestone in the history of social thought.
  • Parsons' theories contributed to the understanding of social structures and their functional prerequisites.

Additional Information

• Division of Labour
  • Originally conceptualized by Emile Durkheim, another foundational sociologist, in his work Division of Labour in Society.
  • Durkheim's concept focused on how the division of labour contributes to social solidarity and the functioning of society.
• Social Action Theory
  • Developed by Talcott Parsons, this theory addresses the subjective motivations behind individual actions and their impact on social structures.
  • Parsons integrated ideas from other theorists like Max Weber to build a comprehensive framework for analyzing social actions.
• Functionalism
  • Parsons is also known for his contributions to structural functionalism, which views society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote stability and social order.
  • This perspective highlights the interdependence of social institutions and their roles in maintaining societal equilibrium.