ABSTRACT
For most of the twentieth century, modernity has been characterised by the formalisation of social relations as face to face interactions are replaced by impersonal bureaucracy and finance. As we enter the new millennium, however, it becomes increasingly clear that it is only by stepping outside these formal structures that trust and co-operation can be created and social change achieved. In a brilliant theoretical tour de force, illustrated with sustained case studies of changing societies in the former eastern Europe and of changing forms of interaction within so-called virtual communities, Barbara Misztal, argues that only the society that achieves an appropriate balance between the informality and formality of interaction will find itself in a position to move forward to further democratisation and an improved quality of life.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
chapter |13 pages
Introduction: What use is the concept of informality?
part I|89 pages
Informality and its assets
chapter 1|30 pages
Defining informality
chapter 2|21 pages
The growing formlessness and unpredictability of social life
chapter 3|36 pages
Informality and styles of interaction
part II|63 pages
Revealing the significance of informality
chapter 4|21 pages
Explaining cooperation
chapter 5|20 pages
Making music together
chapter 6|20 pages
The dynamics of innovation
part III|60 pages
Informality in the changing world