Historical Overview of the Economic Sociology

There exists a rich and colorful tradition of economic sociology, which roughly began around the turn of the twentieth century and continues till today. This tradition has generated a number of helpful concepts and ideas as well as interesting research results, which this article seek to briefly present and set in perspective. Economic sociology has peaked twice since its birth: in 1890-1920, with the founders of sociology (who were all interested in and wrote on the economy), and today, from the early 1980s and onward. A small number of important works in economic sociology - by economists as well as sociologists - was produced during the time between these two periods, from 1920 to the mid-1980s.