The Civilizing Process (Norbert Elias)

The Civilizing Process by Norbert Elias describes how Western societies evolved over centuries, becoming more restrained, polite, and self-controlled. As communities grew and social norms strengthened, people learned to better manage their impulses, emotions, and behaviors to maintain harmony. This gradual shift influenced manners, manners, and emotional expression, leading to increased social cooperation and stability. Elias sees this development as a long-term, interconnected change driven by the complexity of social interactions, ultimately creating the more orderly and disciplined societies we recognize today.