Talcott Parsons ́ Sociology and the English School – Investigations into a mutual non-perception

Given the prominence and centrality of concepts such as international system or international society in the writings of classical ‘English School’-thinkers like for example Hedley Bull and Martin Wight, their strong interest in the history and evolution of international systems/ societies and their occupation with patterns of order in an anarchical international realm, the total lack of perception of Talcott Parsons ́ quite prominent and influential contemporary sociological theory which oscillates around topics like order, system and society as well as the English School ́s ongoing complete neglect of Parsons writings about the evolution of societies, is at least surprising. None of the (classical) English School studies gives any reference to Parsonian ideas. Likewise Parsons never mentioned or cited any writings of the English School when concerned with the international realm. 1