ABSTRACT
Not many concepts among those used to grasp central aspects of the human condition are as influential as the concept of anomie. Per haps the nearest contender is the notion of alienation. And not many articles in modem sociological literature have been as influential as that short piece of Robert K. Merton in 1938 entitled “Social Structure and Anomie.” The only comparable case that comes to mind is K. Davis and W. Moore’s paper on “Some Principles of Stratification.” For almost forty years Merton’s essay has been the subject of vigorous debate, and no more proof is needed of its continuing impact than our session today.
