Joseph Bensman

Mass, Class, and Bureaucracy: The Evolution of Contemporary Society is a book written by Joseph Bensman that explores the development of modern society through the lenses of mass, class, and bureaucracy. The book is divided into three parts, each focusing on one of these concepts. In the first part, Bensman examines the rise of the mass society and how it has transformed social relations. He argues that the mass society is characterized by a loss of individuality and the rise of conformity, as well as the emergence of new forms of social control. In the second part, Bensman explores the role of class in contemporary society. He argues that class is still an important factor in shaping social relations, despite the decline of traditional class structures. He also examines the changing nature of work and how it has impacted class relations. Finally, in the third part, Bensman examines the role of bureaucracy in contemporary society. He argues that bureaucracy has become a dominant force in modern life, shaping everything from government to business to education. He also explores the impact of bureaucracy on individual freedom and creativity. Overall, Mass, Class, and Bureaucracy is a comprehensive analysis of the evolution of contemporary society, offering insights into the ways in which mass, class, and bureaucracy have shaped our social relations and institutions. Prentice Hall Sociology Series. This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

First published in 1958, Small Town in Mass Society set community studies on a new course by placing the small town within the framework of large-scale, bureaucratic mass society. Drawing attention to the dynamics of class and ethnicity in relation to economics and politics, this landmark work was among the first to document the consequences of centralized administration on life in American communities. Through a close study of "Springdale, New York," Arthur J. Vidich and Joseph Bensman depict the small town as continuously and increasingly drawn into the central institutions and processes of the total society. Vidich and Bensman based their conclusions on extensive interviews with and close observation of the inhabitants of one community. The original publication of the book caused a sharp response among the town's citizens who felt their trust had been violated and their town misrepresented. The present volume includes the editorials and correspondence evoked by that controversy, the authors' articles describing their methodology, a new foreword by Michael W. Hughey, and a new afterword in which Arthur J. Vidich recounts the creation and history of the book.