Dennis Smith is Professor of Sociology at the University of Loughborough

Dennis Smith offers a fascinating survey of Elias's life and writings and traces the growth of his reputation. He also illustrates how Elias's insights can be applied to understand Western modernity and social and political change, showing why Elias is so important to sociology.

PART ONE: MODERNITY AND ELIAS
The Sound of Canon-Fire
Culture and Civilization
PART TWO: THE WIDER DEBATE
Arendt and Elias
Parsons and Elias
Foucault and Elias
Bauman and Elias
PART THREE: TOWARDS GLOBAL MODERNITY
Europe
Shame
A Civilized Debate