This paper gives an account of the cultural background to, and the social forms of theory production that shape the characteristic quality of American and the three most influential European social theory traditions: British, French, and German. After an analysis of Americanization after World War II, the prospects for the revitalization of European social theory and its improved position in world sociology are discussed. In this process, the unique contributions to sociology of British, French, and German social theory are outlined.
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