Sociology in Greece

“Lagoumitzi’s and Gangas’ book is a systematic, well organized account of the history and development of Greek sociology. From references to the founders of the discipline it expands to the work of present sociologists based in Greece or abroad. The authors also refer to organizations related to sociological research on themes like stratification, inequalities, demographic trends, sociocultural orientations and other issues which will interest not only sociologists but also foreign scholars and Greek citizens who want to know more about their country. The text is holistic in the sense that it covers not only authors and research organizations but also broader sociopolitical developments which contributed to the shaping of Greek sociology. The book is by far the best introduction to the subject.”

—Nicos Mouzelis, Emeritus Professor of Sociology, London School of Economics


This Palgrave Pivot provides a concise history of the development of sociology in Greece. Itprovides a compelling narrative of the discipline’s embryonic state, its promising beginnings that aligned with its contact with the then robust French and German accomplishments in sociology. It continues with sociology’s entanglement with modern Greece’s turbulent history during the Civil War and the junta years. It charts Greece's gradual recovery during the mid-1970s, which led to sociology’s institutionalization. Yet such institutional boom was not free of politicization processes, many of which proved residual and resilient, stemming from the dictatorship years, as well as from Greece’s dependency during its process of modernization. This book completes this historical account by reconsidering sociology’s gradual embrace of a multi-paradigmatic orientation, its opportunities in light of the burgeoning Greek EU membership and extroversion. It concludes with charting sociology’s position in the 21st century, facing challenges like the Great Recession and its impact in Greece as well as the COVID-19 pandemic.


Spiros Gangas is Associate Professor of Sociology at Deree – The American College of Greece. His major research focuses on classical and contemporary sociological theory, capability approach and value-theory.

Georgia Lagoumitzi is Full-time Lecturer II in Sociology at Deree – The American College of Greece. Her current research interests include areas like globalization, modern Greek diasporas and collective memory.