Macro-sociology is the study of large-scale society. Lenski (1982) defines macrosociology simply as "concerned with human societies". Macrosociology is considered one of the main foundations of sociology (contrast with micro-sociology).

In sociology there are different levels of analysis. Macro-sociology is the analysis of either large collectivities (the city, the church) or, more abstractly, of social systems and social structures. (Dictionary of Sociology, 2000)

It is looking at the big picture; analyzing society (looking for patterns), culture and organisations from a larger perspective along with the broad changes that have been taking place in them, as first industrialisation, and more recently the information revolution, have brought new forms of society. Through macro-sociology it is possible to see the whole thing and get a better understanding of society.

With the perspective of macro-sociology, it is possible to better understand societies, culture, groups and organizations.

Important representatives of macro-sociological theories are:

• Karl Marx; who analyzed society from the perspective of class conflict between workers and owners
• Max Weber; who viewed society as rapidly modernizing and looked at the effects of this process, such as bureaucratization
• Emile Durkheim; who viewed individual issues as reflective of greater social patterns, completing the first sociological study (which linked suicide to societal trends)

References

• Gerhard Lenski, Human societies: An introduction to Macrosociology, McGraw-Hill, 1982, ISBN 0070371768

Makrosoziologie | Macrosociology