Jd. Knottnerus et J. Guan, THE WORKS OF BLAU,PETER,M - ANALYTICAL STRATEGIES, DEVELOPMENTS AND ASSUMPTIONS, Sociological perspectives, 40(1), 1997, pp. 109-128
This paper examines the fundamental theoretical approaches and researc
h interests of Peter M. Blau by focusing upon three distinct stages in
his work: exchange theory, status attainment theory, and macrostructu
ral theory. A discussion of four general issues reveals various contin
uities and transitions in these analytical strategies. The features ex
amined are (a) research interests in social stratification, (b) invest
igative strategies, (c) analytical focus and assumptions, and (d) micr
o/macro units of analysis. It is argued that the three approaches rest
upon different conceptions of society which, in respective order are
the ''multilevel model of societal exchange,'' ''optimistic image of m
odern, mass, industrial society,'' and ''guardedly optimistic image of
modern differentiated society.'' Attention is directed to the importa
nce of the status attainment phase for understanding other dimensions
of Blau's work, the development of certain theoretical themes in his v
arious analytical strategies, and the presence of a basic conceptual o
pposition involving the role of values and structural forces in societ
y which permeates much of his analyses.