Controversially turning away from the current debates which surround 'social theory', The Sociological Revolution provides an historical analysis of the 'profound burden' of sociology and its implications today. The author provides detailed studies of a number of contemporary theories, ranging from historical materialism, phenomenology, structuralism and world system theory and in doing so, contends that the rightful heir of the sociological tradition is the dynamic sociology of knowledge, in particular the figuration research programme of Norbert Elias. Unique in its sociological analysis of philosophy, the book ranges from analyses of the Hegelian Apogee to Marx's Theory of Knowledge, combined with an in-depth analysis of the current condition of sociology, The Sociological Revolution will be of interest to students across a number of disciplines, including philosophy, sociology, the history of ideas and cultural studies.