Forms of Social Organisation

This article reviews two volumes of previously uncollected papers by the influential anthropologist Mary Douglas. The review re-examines Douglas's core arguments on the limited variety of fundamental social structures and their impact on thought processes, particularly within a Durkheimian framework. It discusses the author's typology of four elementary forms of social organization (hierarchy, individualism, enclave, and isolate), highlighting their dynamic interplay and how they shape cultural practices and thought styles. The review also analyzes critiques of Douglas's work and explores the broader significance of her theories for various social science disciplines. Finally, it assesses the strengths and weaknesses of the two collected volumes in relation to presenting Douglas's contributions.