Jeffrey Alexander, a statesman in social theory and cultural sociology: An interview with Frédéric Vandenberghe.

This article focuses on an extensive interview with Jeffrey Alexander, a prominent American sociologist known for his contributions to social theory, cultural sociology, and the theory of the civil sphere (CST), conducted at the time of his retirement from Yale University. It traces Alexander's intellectual trajectory from his early career in journalism and political activism in the 1960s through his development of neofunctionalism, the strong program in cultural sociology, and his influential work on the civil sphere, which integrates cultural and institutional analyses of solidarity, justice, and democratic inclusion. The interview highlights the continuity in Alexander's work, emphasizing his engagement with classical sociological theorists such as Durkheim, Weber, and Parsons, and his efforts to reconcile symbolic culture with social structure and power. Additionally, Alexander reflects on his approach to doctoral supervision, advocating for fostering students' intellectual autonomy and creativity within the American graduate education system.