Society and culture: general Books

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

Book SynopsisSociologists and criminologists have long known that there is a relationship between masculinity and crime. Indeed, gender has been advanced consistently as the strongest predictor of criminal involvement. Flesh and Blood provides a fascinating account of the connection among adolescent gender diversity, the body, and assaultive violence. The book is divided into four parts. In Part I, the author explores the history of criminology as a discipline, paying particular attention to the misgivings about the body, gender, and crime. Messerschmidt shows that criminology historically has maintained, in various ways, the mind-body, sex-gender, and gender difference binaries. In Part II, Messerschmidt presents a theoretical framework_structured action theory_for overcoming these binaries. This perspective allows conceptualization of: embodiment as a lived aspect of gender, both gender differences and gender similarities in the commission of crime, how embodied social action is embedded in speciTrade ReviewCriminological inquiry has traditionally conceptualized the body much like it did gender—in a static, one dimensional fashion, or not at all. In Flesh and Blood, as in his previous books, Masculinities and Crime, and Crime as Structured Action, Messerschmidt again moves criminology in a thoughtful, new direction. Through his analysis of life history accounts of boys and girls, Messerschmidt examines the ways in which social constructions of gender are embodied, and how these embodied masculine and feminine practices relate to violence. This analysis highlights the ways in which the construction of gender and experiences of the body are dynamically interwoven in the everyday lives of boys and girls. -- Nancy Jurik, Arizona State UniversityRecommended. * CHOICE *Flesh and Blood is highly recommended for anyone who teaches or does research in the area of gender and/or crime. Even if one decides the book is too complex for a class, the perspective gained will enrich any class discussion and lectures on related topics. Messerschmidt moves us further down the road on a much-needed path of research on gender and violence. * Teaching Sociology *this book provides an excellent account of the construction of gender through violence...Flesh and Blood provides us with a glimpse into the embodied experiences of adolescents who are routinely involved in violent acts. I would recommend this book to researchers in criminology, gender studies, and masculinities. * Men and Masculinities, July 2007 *What a marvelous book! By embodying gender, and by engendering crime, Jim Messerschmidt paves the way to fully refashion criminology itself—both the crimes and those who commit them. This is a significant achievement. -- Michael Kimmel, SUNY Distinguished Professor of Sociology and Gender Studies, Stony Brook UniversityTable of ContentsChapter 1 Corporeal Criminology Chapter 2 Gendered Woman, Gendered Man Chapter 3 Structured Action Theory Chapter 4 A Theorized Life History Chapter 5 Wimp and Bully Chapter 6 Badass and Ladybug Chapter 7 Boys, Girls, and Embodied Violence Chapter 8 Disrupting Difference

Read more less

Book SynopsisTable of ContentsChapter 1 Critical Perspectives on Law and Society: A Social Problems Approach Chapter 2 Law and Social Change: Bringing Social Movements into the Dialectic Chapter 3 Ontological Gerrymandering: The Anatomy of Social Problems Explanations Chapter 4 Deviant Behavior and the Remaking of the World Chapter 5 A Sociological Analysis of the Law of Vagrancy Chapter 6 Law as a Weapon in Social Conflict Chapter 7 Empiricism and the Critique of Marxism on Law and Crime Chapter 8 Legal Limits on Labor Militancy: U.S. Labor Law and the Right to Strike since the New Deal Chapter 9 The Racial Bias of Capitalism and the State, and the Impact of the New Deal on African Americans Chapter 10 Promoting Civil Rights through the Welfare State: How Medicare Integrated Southern Hospitals Chapter 11 Managing Differences and Making Legislation: Social Movements and the Racialization, Sexualization, and the Gendering of Federal Hate Crime Law in the U.S., 1985-1998 Chapter 12 Negotiated Meanings and State Transformation: the Trust Issue in the Progressive Era Chapter 13 The New Politics of Immigration: Balanced-Budget Conservatism and the Symbolism of Proposition 187 Chapter 14 Acting Locally: Environmental Injustice and the Emergence of Grass-Roots Environmental Organizations Chapter 15 Citizenship and Inequality: Historical and Global Perspectives Chapter 16 Transnational Mobilization and Civil Rights in Northern Ireland Chapter 17 Exploring the Organizational Dilemmas of Coercive State Conduct: Israel's Repression of the Palestinian Uprising Chapter 18 The Space Between Laws Revisited: Corporate Crime in a Transnational Context Chapter 19 The State, the Legal Order, and Social Problems

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe writings of Harold Garfinkel have had a major impact on the social sciences and linguistics. This book offers a systematic and innovative analysis of his theories and of the ethnomethodological movement which he has inspired.Trade Review'A... comprehensive overview and critique of ethnomethodologically informed conversation analysis is now available in coherent and accessible form.' Contemporary Sociology '... This is an excellent collection which attempts to explore fundamental features of social analysis... The arguments presented have profound implications for the analysis of classroom interaction and other features of the educational world.' Language and Education ‘It is to John Heritage’s great credit that he has sifted the wheat from the chaff. He has given us a clear exposition of the intellectual antecedents of Garfinkel’s work-notably Husserl, Schutz, and Mannheim-and of its affinities with Wittgenstein and ordinary language philosophy. He has amply illustrated aspects of Garfinkel’s own work and in particular has shown how conversation analysis, which is particularly indebted to the research of the late Harvey Sacks, has become a prominent form of ethnomethodological work. The book is well-organized and clearly written.’ John Eldridge, Times Higher Education Supplement ‘Scholarly, accurate, timely…a comprehensive overview and critique of ethnomethodologically informed conversation analysis is now available in coherent and accessible form.’ Contemporary SociologyTable of ContentsPreface. 1 Introduction. 2 A Parsonian Backdrop. 3 The Phenomenological Input. 4 The Morality of Cognition. 5 Actions, Rules and Contexts. 6 Accounts and Accountings. 7 Maintaining Institutional Realities. 8 Conversation Analysis. 9 Epilogue: An Uncompleted Quest. Appendix. Bibliography. Index

Read more less

Book Synopsis1. An introductory textbook for students of sociology and social sciences generally.2. The first book length study of documentary research sources and methods in the humanities.3. Scott demonstrates the centrality of documents to all social research and develops a set of criteria for assessing the quality of documentary evidence.Table of ContentsList of Figures VII Preface ix 1 Social Research and Documentary Sources 1 Evidence and data in social research 2 What are documents? 10 2 Assessing Documentary Sources 19 Authenticity: soundness and authorship 19 Credibility: sincerity and accuracy 22 Representativeness: survival and availability 24 Meaning: literal and interpretative understanding 28 3 The Use of Documents in Social Research 36 The search for King Arthur 38 Who wrote the Zinoviev letter? 43 The social meanings of suicide 48 Social research and the relativity of accounts 54 4 The Official Realm: Public and Private 59 The State, surveillance and secrecy 60 Official documents in the State 63 Official records in the private sphere 78 5 Administrative Routines and Situated Decisions 83 Conceptual instruments and administrative routines 84 Situated decisions 90 6 Explorations in Official Documents 96 Occupation, class and inequality 96 Class schemas and the problem of meaning 111 Measuring the class structure 117 The records of health, welfare and education 123 Business and industrial records 129 7 The Public Sphere and Mass Communication 136 Public opinion, the media and the audience 137 Images, content and meaning 143 Directories, almanacs and yearbooks 156 The annals of the rich and powerful 163 8 Personal Documents 173 Diaries, letters and autobiographies 174 Photographs and visual sources 185 Notes 198 Index 227

Read more less

Book SynopsisA A highly original and thought--provoking book concerning the nature of ethnography and its importance in social enquiry. A Written by the author of Learning to Labour, this new book is informed by Willisa own ethnographic research.Trade Review"Willis is at his best in this book when he turns to the data from his 30 years of ethnographic experience. He makes frequest reference to his observations in both Learning to Labor and the 1990, Common Culture, so that readers not yet acquainted with these works will not be at a disadvantage. Indeed, his observations are often so insightful that even those who have read one or both books might be tempted to take them up again." Methodology and Research Techniques "Willis' book is an intriguing attempt to pose questions about doing ethnography in our post-industrial 'leisure societies' ... it presents some genuinely interesting insights and ethnographic vignettes." Discourse & SocietyTable of ContentsForeword. Part One: Art in the Everyday. Chapter 1: Life as Art. Chapter 2: Form. Chapter 3: The Social. Part Two: Ethnography in Post Modernity. Chapter 4: The Quasi-Modo Commodity. Chapter 5: Penetrations in the Post Modern World. Chapter 6: Social Reproduction as Social History. Chapter 7: The Ethnographic Imagination and 'Whole Ways of Life'. Appendix. Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe concept and reality of revolution has gripped the imagination of many writers over the centuries. This is a comprehensive historical examination of these key ideas and theories.Trade Review'Kimmel has written a clear, reflective, critical and comprehensive guide to theories of revolution. Anyone who wants to catch up on current thinking on violent upheaval will do well to begin with this book.' Charles Tilly, New School for Social Research, New York 'A comprehensive survey of theories of revolution.' International Review of Social HistoryTable of Contents1. Revolutions in the Sociological Imagination. 2. On the Shoulders of Giants:. Classical Sociological Perspectives on Revolution. 3. Stages, Systems, and Deprivation:. Non-Structural Theories of Revolution. 4. Revolution in International Context:. Geo-Political Competition and the Capitalist World-Economy. 5. Class Struggle and Revolution. 6. The State and Revolution. 7. Motivation and Mobilization:. A Structural Social Psychology of Revolution. Conclusion. Bibliography.

Read more less

Book Synopsis1. This book provides a comprehensive introduction, overview and analysis of the complex theoretical developments surrounding Pluralism and Marxism 2. It stresses the continual inter-relation between substantive and philosophical issues 3.Trade Review"a lucid, subtle and erudite guide to the ongoing debate between marxism and its critics. It is, in fact, a very important book that neither Marxists or pluralists can afford to overlook." British Journal Of Sociology .Table of ContentsPreface PART ONE: A Tale of Two Traditions 1. Historic oppositions, contemporary questions 2. Conventional to critical pluralism 3. Marxism and the 'question of pluralism': historical materialism 4. Marxism: the class analysis of politics 5. Modalities of antagonism and convergence PART TWO: Beyond the Debate? 6 . The conundrums of philosophical pluralism 7. Eclecticism and synthesis in social theory 8. Statism: two variants of a third way 9. Conclusion: 'modest eclecticism' and the restructuring of social theory Bibliography Undergraduates (2nd and 3rd years) in Politics, Sociology and Philosophy; specialists in political and social theory; informed political commentators and observers

Read more less

Book SynopsisProvides a clear and systematic introduction to the development of social and political theory in modern Italy. This book gives particular attention to relating the main traditions of Italian thought to the history of the country since unification.Table of ContentsThe unification of Italy - making the ideal real; Vilfredo Pareto; Gaetano Mosca; Antonio Labriola; Benedetto Croce; Giovanni Gentile; Antonio Gramsci; Bobbio, della Volpe and the "Italian Road to Socialism"; conclusion - social theory and political action.

Read more less

Book Synopsisaeo A clearly written critical assessment of recent approaches to the technical, social and cultural dimensions of technology. aeo This book sheds new light on the implications of new theories for existing ideas about the nature of technology, especially the relation between technology and work.Trade Review"A challenging analysis of the relations between work and technology from an anti-essentialist perspective. Key issues concerning the production and consumption of technology are debated in a lucid and scholarly manner. Highly recommended." Professor John Hassard, Keele University "The application of contemporary sociological models of technological change in the workplace is still in its infancy. The Machine at Work plays a crucial role in bridging this gap. It is one of the few recent publications helping the study of technological change at work to come of age." Professor Richard Badham, University of Wollongong "This book is well written and accessible. Besides being of interest to scholars, especially students of sociology, organisational theory, innovation and management studies, The Machine at Work should provide stimulating reading for those with a more general interest in contemporary analyses of technology." The Times Higher Education Supplement "A fine introductory text." Information Technology and People "[A] fascinating book ... [It] raise[s] very real methodological questions and, what is more to the point, attempts to provide answers to them." British Journal of SociologyTable of ContentsAcknowledgements. Introduction: Deus ex Machina. . 1. Theories of Technology. 2. The Luddites: Diablo Ex Machina. . 3. Configuring the User: Inventing New Technologies. 4. Some Failures of Nerve in Constructivist and Feminist Analyses of Technology. 5. Technology and Work Organizations. 6. What's Social about Being Shot?. Notes. References. Index.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis is an introduction to the study of the family, showing that the study of the family lies at the heart of sociological theory and research. The emphasis throughout is on family relationships as processes which are fluid, complex and open to change.Trade Review'Anyone seeking an understanding of what empirical sociology has achieved in Britain over the past twenty years could well start with this book. David Morgan skilfully weaves an original tapestry of British life based on such themes as food, home and the body, as well as the more traditional themes of class and work. He does this from a distinctive family perspective but this is more than simply another book about the family: it is an unusual way of approaching British Society as a whole.' Ray Pahl, University of Kent, Canterbury 'Morgan's comprehensive, judicious account of developments in the sociology of the family should be on every lecturer's and student's bookshelf.' Chris Harris, University College of Swansea 'David Morgan ... is one of leading scholars in the field of the sociology of the family. Family Connections is well structured and its themes are easy to follow. Morgan's knowledge of this field is impressive, and the book offers an excellent overview of how family matters are woven into a multitude of areas in social life. The book is highly informative and reflects the state of the art in today's family sociology.' Acta Sociologica 'Well-researched text ... Morgan writes well; the density of the material presented has been made very readable. For someone wanting a look at the latest in the social analysis of how families are defined at the political level, the social function of the family and the individuals within them it offers a variety of informed ideas with references to the relevant literature.' Journal of Paediatrics of Health CareTable of ContentsIntroduction. 1. Work, Employment and the Household. 2. Family and Stratification. 3. Gender. 4. Care. 5. The Body. 6. Time and Space. 7. Food. 8. Home. Conclusion. References. Index.

Read more less

Book SynopsisPresents a study of how people use media products, how they fit into their day-to-day lives and more. This book focuses on women's magazines, on how they are read and the role they play in their readers (mainly women's) lives.Trade Review'Reading Women's Magazines is an eminently readable, innovative and daring book, taking the study of media consumption one step further in the direction of an anthropology of everyday life, where it belongs.' Ien Ang, Murdoch University, Australia 'The audience orientation of the book is likely to make it of particular interest to students studying the sociology of the media.' Times Higher Education SupplementTable of ContentsAcknowledgements. Introduction. 1. Everyday Media Use. 2. Easily Put Down:. How Women and Men read Women's Magazines. 3. Portrait of Two Readers. 4. Reading a Feminist Magazine:. Fantasising the Female Homo Universalis. . 5. Reading Gossip Magazines:. The Imagined Communities of "Gossip" and "Camp". Conclusion. Bibliography. Index.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe first systematized analysis of FIFA and of the politics of world football. Much of the material is based on original research and is drawn from unique interviews and never-cited documentary sources. An accessible introduction to the contest for control of world football.Trade Review"I feel quite convinced that your book will arouse the interest of many readers and I have no hesitation in congratulating you in advance on its success." Dr Joao Havelange, FIFA President "An academic study, but a gripping one, because the story they tell is an extraordinary one. Independent Sunday Magazine "Insightful..." Total Sport "Interesting and extremely well-researched study of the history and workings of this shadowy organization..." When Saturday Comes "A fact-filled study of the history, ambitions and motives of the organisation behind the world's most popular sport. Highlights include chapters on Fifa's role in the choice of the host nation and their influence over television coverage and commentators." Independent on SundayTable of ContentsPreface. 1. Introduction: FIFA and the contest for world football - an interpretive and conceptual framework. Part 1. FIFA and its Expanding Football Family: Background and Context. . 2. FIFA, Europe and South America: foundations and contradictions in the football family. 3. FIFA: an organizational and institutional analysis. 4. FIFA and its partners: media and markets. 5. FIFA's World Cup Finals: getting the event. Part 2. FIFA and the Collapse of Empire. 6. FIFA and Africa. 7. FIFA and Asia. 8. FIFA and the former Soviet Union. 9. FIFA's final frontier - USA '94. 10. Conclusion: who rules the peoples' game?. Afterword: FIFA and the Future of World Football. Appendix: VISION for the Future Governance of Football. Notes. Bibliography. Glossary. Index.

Read more less

Book Synopsis* has a comprehensive sweep, employing material from a wide range of contemporary and historical sources. * identifies connecting themes between historical periods and therefore clarifies present complexities in sexual culture.Trade Review“This volume is convincingly and engagingly written as a whole, [but] Hawkes is at her best when she focuses on the 'Sexual Century', the last hundred years with its apparent explosion of pleasures rapidly channeled into bland consumerism.” Archives of Sexual Behaviour “The book is well written and accessible to the non-expert reader. It contains an extensive bibliography and each chapter has a list of suggested further reading which is useful for those who would like to explore further any of the issues raised. I found it interesting and helpful.” Insights “An accessible volume…a readable journey through self-control in antiquity, sinful sex in the middle ages, guilty sex and courtly love in Renaissance, the body and desire in the Enlightenment and modern period, and the undisciplined desires of today.” Canadian Journal of History “Hawkes paints a complex portrait of sexuality in the West, one that defies simple narratives of repression and liberation, in which sexual discourses are constantly shifting, and there is no teleological motion ... Sex and Pleasure in Western Culture is an intriguing survey.” British Journal of Sociology “Gail Hawkes’s new book is a fascinating anatomy of the pleasures and dangers that have long swirled around the erotic. From Plato to the present, from early Christian mortifications of flesh to the hedonistic individualism of the millennium, desire and death, joy and fear mingle, but in ever changing patterns. This book explores the kaleidoscope of sexuality across the centuries, and in doing so brings new insights to the understanding of the body and its pleasures in our historic present.” Jeffrey Weeks, London South Bank UniversityTable of ContentsIntroduction. Prologue: The sexual landscape of the new millennium. Chapter 1: Sex Pleasure And Self- Control In Classical Antiquity. Chapter 2: Sinful Sex: Early Christianity And The Problem Of Desire. Chapter 3: Guilty Sex, Courtly Love And The Unruly Body: Medieval Themes And Practices. Chapter 4: Sex, The Body And Desire In The Pre-Modern Period. Chapter Five: Pleasure And Desire In The Age Of Modernity. Chapter 6: Obligatory Pleasures And Undisciplined Desires: The Sexual Century Reviewed. Epilogue: Themes And Reflections. References and Bibliography. Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisWritten in a clear and accessible style, with lots of examples from Anglo-American media, Gender and the Media offers a critical introduction to the study of gender in the media, and an up-to-date assessment of the key issues and debates.Trade Review"Gill's thorough contemplation of theoretical works along with empirical research projects provides an excellent and up-to-date account of the relationship of gender to and with the media." Sociology "This book is extremely well written, which adds to its excellence as a text that combines an expert synthesis of the literature and Gill's own insightful analysis. Gill's book is suitable as a core text for any media studies, cultural studies and gender studies course as an update of Van Zoonen's 1994 text, since it contains an analysis of a diverse body of work made suitable for undergraduate level thanks to Gill's accessible writing style." Gender and Education "Brilliant - a must-read for all media educators." Newsletter of the Media Education Association "Gender and the Media is excellent throughout and confronts the reader with an embarras de richesse of insights." Feminism and Psychology "Gender and the Media is a lively and stimulating read and works as an excellent introduction for students in the field of media and gender studies. It is also a grown-up book that moves beyond the current feminist preoccupation with 'girls', to a renewed focus on 'women' in their infinite variety. I strongly recommend it." European Journal of Women?s Studies "A new masterpiece in the field of feminist media studies. Gender and the Media sheds new light on where we have been, and where we are going. It will be a staple of all media studies and women's studies classes for at least the next decade." Andrea Press, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign "This is a thorough, lucid study which includes a good deal of new and original material, presenting it with admirable theoretical fluency yet in a clear and student-friendly way." Angela McRobbie, Goldsmiths College "Rosalind Gill's book is an invaluable contribution to the field of gender and media research. Well written and engaging, it offers an overview of contemporary representations of gender, a sense of the main theoretical and methodological approaches at issue and a grounding in the cultural politics of the field." Cynthia Carter, Cardiff UniversityTable of ContentsPreface 1. Gender and the Media 2. Analysing Gender in Media Texts 3. Advertising and Postfeminism 4. News, Gender and Journalism 5. Talk Shows 6. Gender in Magazines 7. Postfeminist Romance

Read more less

Book SynopsisChoosing Ethnic Identity explores the ways in which people are able to choose their ethnic identities in contemporary multiethnic societies such as the USA and Britain. Notions such as adopting an identity, or self--designated terms, such as Black British and Asian American, suggest the importance of agency and choice for individuals.Trade Review"In this intellectually challenging and highly original study, Miri Song mobilizes a wide body of theoretical writing and empirical evidence, originating in both the UK and the U.S. Choosing Ethic Identity presents a new conceptual apparatus for evaluating inequality in societies increasingly confronted by manifold narratives of victimization," Steven J. Gold, Michigan State University "Miri Song has written an enormously stimulating and authoritative account of the changing nature of ethnic identity. Drawing judiciously on a wealth of material from both the US and Britain, she is able to show that the assertion of ethnic identity involves a complex set of political and social relations. Song's account of these issues should be a must for anybody who is concerned with the formation of ethnic and racial identities." John Solomos, Professor of Sociology, City University, London “Choosing Ethnic Identity makes an important contribution to a developing literature in the field of race and ethnic studies dealing with the subtleties and complexities of both radicalized and ethicized identities, and the political landscapes in which some versions of identity are erased or marginalized. Tracing the intertwining race of ethnicity in Britain and the United States, Song exposes some of the plasticity of ethnicity as 'options' in the shaping of lives and subjective and the political tensions surrounding them.....Overall, this is a readable and valuable contribution to the theorization of race and ethnicity on both sides of the Atlantic." Caroline Knowles, University of LondTable of ContentsPreface. Chapter 1 Ethnic identities: choices and constraints. Chapter 2 Comparing minorities’ ethnic options. Chapter 3 Negotiating individual and group identities. Chapter 4 The growth of ‘mixed race’ people. Chapter 5 The diversification of ethnic groups. Chapter 6 The second generation in a global context. Chapter 7 Debates about racial hierarchy. Chapter 8 The future of ‘race’ and ethnic identity. Notes. References. Index

Read more less

Book Synopsisaeo A major new book by one of the most original thinkers today. aeo Develops a distinctive argument about the a liquida nature of modernity. aeo Re--examines key concepts which look at the heart of orthodox accounts of the human condition, including the concepts of emancipation, individuality, work and community.Trade Review"Bauman on a bad day is still far more stimulating than most contemporary social thinkers. He is the Georg Simmel of our age, and his books and essays will be read when contemporary exponents of social arithmetic are long forgotten." Times Higher Education Supplement "Liquid Modernity is Zygmunt Bauman's term for the present condition of the world as contrasted with the 'solid' modernity that preceded it ... He is a vivid and original writer with an eye for the revealing personal experience.' Dennis Wrong, Times Literary Supplement "Zygmunt Bauman can be counted among those giants of sociology - C. Wright Mills, Émile Durkheim, Max Weber - who are bound together not by a shared ideological or disciplinary alignment, but by a profound and moral passion. I do not employ the term "moral" in the commonly used sense of "judgmental", but to describe their ability to define the spirit of the age, to ask cutting questions about society's direction, warn of dangers and perceive opportunities." Contemporary Politics "These books mark an important advance in Bauman's project. He seems to be trying to bring the intellectuals back into the game, twitting them for their passivity. Bauman wants social critics to take a more active role, taking a lead by showing how the relationships between individuals and society and between the private and public spheres may be rearticulated and the spirit of the agora restored to social and political life." British Journal of Sociology "His work is essential reading for those political theorist who feel that part of their task is to elaborate relevant and compelling normative critique." Contemporary Political Theory "Bauman lucidly depicts what others call the 'postmodern situation' a term that he painstakingly avoids, and his analysis is important for anyone interested in cultural criticism" Caterina Norlin-Brage, Religious Studies Review "One of post-modernity's great commentators." Pete Ward, Church TimesTable of ContentsForeword: On Being Light and Liquid. 1. Emancipation. 2. Individuality. 3. Time/Space. 4. Work. 5. Community. Afterthoughts: On Writing; on Writing Sociology. Notes. Index.

Read more less

Book SynopsisA A sequel to the authors previous widely acclaimed work on science, technology and society A Develops a highly original account of the changing notions of science and scientific knowledge A A well, written accessible text that makes good use of illustrative examples A The authors are leading scholars in the field.Trade Review'What you always wanted to know about the "knowledge society", Nowotny, Scott and Gibbons are telling it in Re-Thinking Science, the sequel to their much acclaimed book The New Production of Knowledge (1994). This is a splendid book, full of empirical insight and intellectual vision. Re-Thinking Science is reliable and robust at the same time.' Wolf Lepenies, Rektor, Institute for Advanced Study, Berlin 'The authors take us beyond the dichotomies of science and society in their ovular new work, Re-Thinking Science, into a new agora of interactive forces in which old institutional boundaries of science, industry and government are transcended. Re-Thinking Science re-thinks society.' Henry Etzkowitz, Director, Science Policy Institute, State University of New York at Purchase 'This book goes far beyond The New Production of Knowledge (1994), the earlier collection of essays by Michael Gibbons, Helga Nowotny and others. That book launched the debate on the trend towards a new regime for the production of knowledge and the practice of research ... Re-Thinking Science revisits these themes in the form of a single brilliant essay in social theory ... a splendid vision of a probable future world, in which science and society will increasingly overlap and be exposed to the growing expertise and contesting forces of the agora.' Nature 'This book is packed with novel and quite complicated ideas ... We look forward to a further harvest of sharp observations and deep interpretations in the next product from this outstanding scholarly team.' Interdisciplinary Science Review 'an enourmously important book, which deserves to be widely read and discussed.' Science as Culture The book could be influential in providing sustenance to higher education managers as they struggle to find new definitions of what it means to be a university. Political leaders too would do well to study it in order to move their policy-making away from dependence on mode 1 ideas. The vision of the science of the future outlined in the book could perhaps have gone further. However, there is a balance to be struck between being influential and being visionary. This book will clearly be influential. The vision will hopefully grow." Studies in Higher EducationTable of ContentsPreface. Chapter 1: The Transformation of Society. Chapter 2: Beyond Modernity - Breaching the Frontiers. Chapter 3: The Co-Evolution of Science and Society. Chapter 4: The Context Speaks Back. Chapter 5: The Transformation of Knowledge Institutions. Chapter 6: The Role of Universities in Knowledge Production. Chapter 7: How does Contextualization Happen?. Chapter 8: Weakly Contextualized Knowledge. Chapter 9: Strongly Contextualized Knowledge. Chapter 10: Contextualization in the Middle Range. Chapter 11: From Reliable Knowledge to Socially Robust Knowledge. Chapter 12: The Epistemological Core?. Chapter 13: Science Moves to the Agora. Chapter 14: Socially Distributed Expertise. Chapter 15: Re-Visioning Science. Chapter 16: Re-Thinking Science is not Science Re-Thought. References. Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisWritten by Hans Joas, one of Europea s leading social theorists. Asks how contemporary social and political thought can come to terms with the ongoing proliferation of war and state violence. Draws on a wide range of material, from World War I and Vietnam to the Gulf War and the conflicts in the Balkans.Trade Review‘Though war remains central to society, it has been peripheral to recent sociological theory. Hans Joas helps remedy that with penetrating critiques of Marxian, realist and, especially, liberal views of war.’ Michael Mann, University of California “War and Modernity is a path-breaking book which explores in a very incisive way a subject which has not been systematically addressed in the social sciences, namely the relations between war and modernity. Contrary to the optimistic views which see war as a survival of “primitive” urges, Joas shows convincingly how war constitutes a basic component of modernity. The book is a distinct contribution.” S.N. Eisenstadt, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem "...International Relations scholars should find the analysis of some familiar issues from a different angle illuminating, and they will find some important discussions and reconstructions of social thought in the context of war...much of value to be found in this volume" Bryan Mabee "A valuable contribution to the reflection of sociology on war and violence." American Journal of SociologyTable of ContentsPreface vii Introduction: Wars and Values 1 Part I The Modernity of War 27 1 The Dream of a Modernity without Violence 29 2 The Modernity of War: Modernization Theory and the Problem of Violence 43 3 Ideologies of War: The First World War as Reflected in the Contemporary Social Sciences 55 Part II After War 83 4 After the War: Democracy and Anti-Communism in Berlin after 1945 85 5 After the Cold War: The Collapse of the German Democratic Republic (with Martin Kohli) 95 6 Sprayed and Betrayed: The Experience of Violence in the Vietnam War and its Consequences 111 Part III War and Violence in Social Theory 123 7 Between Power Politics and Pacifist Utopia: Peace and War in Sociology Theory 125 8 Is There a Militarist Tradition in Sociology? 141 9 Sociology after Auschwitz: Zygmunt Bauman’s Work and the Problems of German Self-Understanding 163 10 War the Risk Society? 180 11 War the Teacher? 180 12 Action Theory and the Dynamics of Violence 187 Notes 197 Bibliography 225 Name Index 242 Subject Index 246

Read more less

Book Synopsis* The first ever reader on masculinities * Examines masculinities from various cultural, national and social perspectives * Covers all the key themes: Power, Sexuality, Public Men, Private Men, Masculinity in Crisis.Trade Review'Stephen Whitehead and Frank Barrett have put together an excellent collection of contemporary research, theory and debate about men, masculinities, and men's place in the gender order. Everyone who studies these questions, or who is taking action on practical issues that involve problems about masculinity (as many contemporary issues do), will find this book a great resource.' R.W Connell (author of The Men and the Boys, Gender and Power and Masculinities)Table of ContentsAcknowledgements. Publisher's Note. The Sociology of Masculinity: Stephen Whitehead and Frank Barrett. Part I: Defining and Locating Masculinities:. Introduction. 1. The Social Organisation of Masculinity: Bob Connell. 2. Masculinities: Arthur Brittan. 3. Postmodernism and the Interrogation of Masculinity: David S. Gutterman.. Part II: Power, Oppression and Dominance:. Introduction. 4. The Organizational Construction of Hegemonic Masculinity: The Case of the U.S. Navy: Frank Barrett. 5. The Belly of the Beast: Sex as Male Domination: Lynne Segal. 6. Power and the Language of Men: Scott Fabius Kiesling. 7. Violence, Rape, and Sexual Coercion: everyday love in a South African township: Katherine Wood and Rachel Jewkes. Part III: Masculinities in the Public Domain:. Introduction. 8. Naming Men as Men: implications for Work, Organization and Management: David Collinson and Jeff Hearn. 9. Masculinity and and Machismo in Hollywood's War Films: Ralph R. Donald. 10. Masculinity, School, and Self in Sweden and the Netherlands: Alan Segal. 11. Cool Pose: Black Masculinity and Sports: Richard Majors. Part IV: The Private Lives of Men:. Introduction. 12. Family, Gender and Masculinities: David H.J. Morgan. 13. The Organization of Intimacy: managerialism, masculinity and the masculine subject: Deborah Kerfoot. 14. Friendship, Intimacy and Sexuality: Michael A. Messner. 15. Masculinity as Homophobia: Fear, Shame and Silence in the Construction of Gender Identity: Michael S. Kimmel. 16. "A Vicarious Sense of Belonging" The Politics of Friendship and Gay Social Movements, Communities, and Neighbourhoods: Peter M. Nardi. Part V: Endings and Beginnings: The Practices and Politics of Changing Men:. Introduction. 17. The Crisis of Masculinity and the Politics of Identity: John MacInnes. 18. ‘Crabs in a bucket': reforming male identities in Trinidad: Niels Sampath. 19. "And Ar'n't I a Man?": Toward a Chicano/Latino Men's Studies: Alfredo Mirande. 20. Man - The Invisible Gendered Subject?: Stephen Whitehead. 21. Masculinity Politics on a World Scale: R. W. Connell. Index.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book gives the reader sociological and anthropological insight into the interaction of occupation, social class and marriage and how these factors effect and affect smaller communities and provides a customarily deft analysis of the disintegration of rural communities and the nature of social change.Trade Review"Absolutely fundamental to any understanding of the development of Bourdieu's thought ... as insightful as it is moving." Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute "Plunges us into fascinating details of the economics of dowries and animal husbandry." Steven Poole's non-fiction choice in The GuardianTable of ContentsEpigraph. Introduction. Part I –Bachelorhood and the peasant condition. 1. The system of matrimonial exchanges in traditional peasant society. 2. Internal contradictions and anomy. 3. The opposition between the bourg and the hameaux. 4. The peasant and his body. Conclusion. Appendix I. Bibliographical notes. Thematic bibliography. Appendix II. Changes in population, 1836-1954. Appendix III. Dialogue between a villager and a peasant. Appendix IV. Another dialogue between a villager and a bachelor. Appendix V. The exemplary tale of a younger son from a modest family. Another younger son. Appendix VI. Excessive maternal authority and celibacy. Appendix VII. An attempt to generalize: bachelorhood in sixteen rural cantons in Brittany. Part II – Matrimonial strategies in the system of reproduction strategies. Bibliographical notes. Bibliography. Part III – Reproduction forbidden: The symbolic dimension of economic domination. 1. Addenda and corrigenda. 2. ‘From the closed world to the infinite universe’. 3. The unification of the matrimonial market. 4. ‘Sound opinions of the people’. Appendix. Postscript – A class as object. Index of concepts. Index of names

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn this new book, Ulrich Beck develops his now widely used concepts of second modernity, risk society and reflexive sociology into a radical new sociological analysis of the cosmopolitan implications of globalization.Trade Review"Excites intellectual reflexivity and adds to our repertoire of knowledge, not only about cosmopolitanism but also about our current social, cultural and historical predicament. It is for this (but not only this) reason that we should sit up and listen to what [Beck] has to say." Journal of Sociology "Beck's contribution to the normative construction of a cosmopolitan vision in the world today inspires hope and confidence in a new era of global political and social relations." Australian Journal of Political Science "Once again, Ulrich Beck has brought a distinctive perspective to a major social issue. He rightly sees that cosmopolitanism cannot simply be wished into reality but can only be achieved on the basis of confronting basic issues of social inequality. We need to pay attention." Craig Calhoun, New York UniversityTable of ContentsDetailed Contents. Acknowledgements. Introduction: What is 'Cosmopolitan' about the Cosmopolitan Vision. PART ONE. Cosmopolitan Realism. Chapter 1. Global Sense, Sense of Boundarylessness: The Distinction between Philosophical and Social Scientific Cosmopolitanism. Chapter 2. The Truth of Others: On the Cosmopolitan Treatment of Difference - Distinctions, Misunderstandings, Paradoxes. Chapter 3. Cosmopolitan Society and its Adversaries. PART TWO. Concretizations, Prospects. Chapter 4. The Politics of Politics: On the Dialectic of Cosmopolitanization and Anti-Cosmopolitanization. Chapter 5. War is Peace: On Postnational War. Chapter 6. Cosmopolitan Europe: Reality and Utopia. Notes. References and Bibliography. Index.

Read more less

Book SynopsisPierre Bourdieu was a brilliant sociologist and social thinker; he was also an intensely political man whose work is of profound significance for rethinking democracy. This original volume presents and develops Bourdieu's distinctive contribution to the theory and practice of democratic politics. It explicates and illustrates his core concepts of political field and field of power, his historical model of the bureaucratic state, and his influential analyses of the practices and institutions involved in the paradoxical phenomenon of political representation starting with the enigma of delegation, or what he called the mystery of ministry. The fruitfulness of Bourdieu's approach is demonstrated in a series of integrated studies of voting, public opinion polls, party dynamics, class rule, and state-building, as well as by careful analyses of Bourdieu's own civic engagements and his theoretical treatment of the politics of reason and recognition in contemporary society. Charting the connections between Bourdieu's political views, the main nodes of his sociology of democratic representation, and the implications of this sociology for progressive civic thought and action, this book will be of interest to students and scholars across the gamut of disciplines as well as to citizens concerned with renewing struggles for social justice.Trade Review"Many were surprised during the 1990s by Pierre Bourdieu’s increasingly open and direct engagement in democratic politics. The present collection helps to explain the intellectual roots of this engagement – which lie deep in Bourdieu’s theory – as well as its significance. Both Bourdieu’s contributions to political understanding and this book’s contributions to understanding Bourdieu are of enduring value." Craig Calhoun, Social Science Research Council "Can Pierre Bourdieu’s sociology contribute anything distinctive to our understanding of democratic politics? This scintillating volume answers with a resounding ‘yes,’ as the contributors tease out the as-yet-unappreciated political implications of the French sociologist’s signature concepts." Nancy Fraser, New School for Social ResearchTable of ContentsContributors. Introduction: Symbolic Power and Democratic Practice. 1 Pointers on Pierre Bourdieu and Democratic Politics. (Loïc Wacquant). 2 From the King's House to the Reason of State: A Model of the Genesis of the Bureaucratic Field. (Pierre Bourdieu). 3 The Mystery of Ministry: From Particular Wills to the General Will. (Pierre Bourdieu). 4 Scholarship with Commitment: On the Political Engagements of Pierre Bourdieu. (Franck Popupeau and Thierry Discepolo). 5 Ancien Régime Ballots: A Double Historicization of Electoral Practices. (Olivier Christin). 6 Making the People Speak: On the Social Uses of and Reactions to Opinion Polls. (Patrick Champagne). 7 Symbolic Power in the Rule of the "State Nobility". (Loïc Wacquant). 8 The Making and Breaking of the Czechoslovak Political Field. (Gil Eyal). 9 The Cunning of Imperialist Reason. (Pierre Bourdieu and Loïc Wacquant). Key Writings of Pierre Bourdieu on Democratic Politics. Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis is not an autobiography, Bourdieu said of this work but it reveals much of the hitherto implicit experience of his formative years, and gives insights into his relationships with Jean-Paul Sartre, Raymond Aron, Michel Foucault and many others, which deepen our understanding of his unique contribution to sociology and anthropology.Trade Review"This slim volume, more accessible than anything in Bourdieu's oeuvre, can be read in one session. But its value lies in each further reading, alone or with students, to gain a sense that, as a result of reflexivity and social self-analysis, there was a different sociologist using his concepts in different ways across his works." Journal of Sociology "Not just a book for students in French studies or in literature; social scientists - and especially those who do not know or appreciate Bourdieu - will find many examples of his unique sociological thinking." SociologyTable of ContentsThis book does not have a table of contents.

Read more less

Book SynopsisInequality in its many forms is becoming an ever greater problem in modern society. The revised edition of this popular book explains why it is so important to understand class and stratification, and how the tools used to analyse these divisions can help us to understand and confront problems of inequality.Trade Review"Provides major insights into gender, class and stratification." Equality, Diversity and Inclusion "The great strength of Crompton's book remains its commitment to providing a rounded analysis of both theoretical and empirical understanding of the continuing importance of class within contemporary society - together with the ability to present this in clear and accessible terms." Journal of Social Policy "A superb new edition from Crompton which will be perfect for students as well as the advanced reader. In new chapters on class and culture and families and mobility, Crompton powerfully demonstrates the importance of class and stratification to sociology as the sub-discipline continues to engage with big issues around structure and agency and economy and culture. Another best seller to be sure." Fiona Devine, University of Manchester "Rosemary Crompton's Class and Stratification has established itself as the standard source for stratification studies. It combines theoretical rigour with an authoritative overview of relevant and up-to-date research. The third edition has been completely revised to include extended discussions of the impact of Bourdieu in stratification studies and recent work on social mobility and education. It is virtually a new book and will be of immense value even to those who have read its previous versions." John Scott, University of Essex "Once again Rosemary Crompton has produced a brilliant synthesis. This third edition is the only textbook to range across both the traditional sociological debates on class, and the newer currents concerned the role of class in a neo-liberal environment. The overview of the extensive work influenced by Pierre Bourdieu is especially valuable." Mike Savage, University of Manchester Acclaim for previous edition: "A comprehensive and compelling account of central debates on class and stratification. It is a brave and successful attempt to make accessible the many debates which are conducted under the banner of social class." Times Higher Education Supplement "Rosemary Crompton's book is by far the best existing guide to the present state of class analysis, remarkably well informed about the details of the most important current controversies." Work, Employment and Society "A timely review of sociology's contribution to the explanation of social inequality. This book does an excellent job of setting out for students the central features of class analysis and its contribution to the study of inequality covering where it has been, where it is now, and where it might be going. It does so in an engaging manner and with a concern to recover a sense of meaning and purpose for both the insiders and outsiders of stratification analysis. It is bound to become a basic test for teaching in this area." SociologyTable of ContentsIntroduction to the First Edition. Introduction to the Second Edition. Introduction to the Third Edition, and Acknowledgements. Chapter 1: Setting the Scene. Individualisation, neoliberalism, and 'extreme capitalism'. Summary of chapters. Chapter 2: Approaches to Class and Stratification Analysis. Introduction. Debating inequality. Theories of social differentiation. 'Class', a multi-faceted concept. Social theory and social change. The wider critique of 'class analysis'. Action and structure, economy and culture. Chapter 3: Class Analysis: The Classic Inheritance and its Development in the 20th Century. Introduction. Marx. Weber. Class and sociology after the Second World War. The development of theoretically informed accounts of the 'class structure'. Class and history. The intertwining of structure and action, economy and culture. Class inequality and the 'cultural turn'. Social class, social geography and the turn to 'realism'. Conclusions. Chapter 4: Measuring the 'Class Structure'. Introduction. Occupations. Descriptive occupational and status hierarchies and the analysis of 'social classes'. Theoretical ('relational') class schemes: Wright. Theoretical ('relational') class schemes: Goldthorpe. The ONS-SEC. Conceptual basis of the ONS-SEC. Conclusions. Chapter 5: An untimely prediction of death and a timely renewal. Introduction. Changes in the structure of work and employment. The expansion of women’s employment. Class, politics and action. Farewell to class societies?. Where do we go from here?. 'New and revised' approaches. Conclusion. Chapter 6: Class and culture: the ethnography of class. Introduction. Social status, social hierarchies, and social citizenship. Bourdieu. The 'new middle classes'. The contemporary ethnography of the working class. Discussion and conclusions: a new synthesis?. Chapter 7: Families, Social Mobility and Educational Achievement. Introduction: Class and the family. Social mobility. Declining social mobility. Secondary and higher education in Britain. Explaining class differences in educational achievement. What is to be done?. Conclusions. Chapter 8: Widening inequalities and debates on 'class': discussion and conclusions. Introduction. From the 'underclass' debate to social exclusion. Widening inequality. Back to definitions: the approach developed in this book. The possibility of countervailing processes. Bibliography.

Read more less

Book SynopsisFifty million people in the world today are victims of forced relocation caused by wars and violence. Whole new countries are being created, occupied by Afghan refugees, displaced Columbians, deported Rwandans, exiled Congolese, fleeing Iraqis, Chechens, Somalians and Sudanese who have witnessed wars, massacres, aggression and terror.Trade Review"A fine example of the benefit of interdisciplinary perspectives and the fruitfulness of collaboration. I would strongly suggest this book to anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of the condition of displaced peoples." Global Change, Peace and Security "Agier writes thoughtfully and passionately about the plight of his subjects." Commonweal "The essays would provide excellent material for review and discussion in short courses on forced migration, where it would provide valuable stimulus for debate amongst humanitarians, researchers and policy makers." Journal of Refugee Studies "A seminal, eye-opening study ... the most insightful inquiry to date into the plight of the refugees of the present era." Zygmunt Bauman, Universities of Leeds and WarsawTable of ContentsPreface to the English Edition vii Introduction 1 Bruised Populations 7 The Desert, the Camp, the City 39 The Right to Life 73 Conclusion: What Refugees Need is Fame 102 Notes 105 Bibliography 112 Index 116

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn this major new study Christian Baudelot and Roger Establet provide a timely and wide-ranging account of the changing nature of suicide in the world today. The suicide rate is soaring in the former Communist bloc, in India and in China, which now has the highest female suicide rate in the world.Trade Review"The authors are successful in using the admittedly rare phenomenon of suicide to explore the structure and dynamics of life in contemporary societies and reveal the some of the problems associated with marginalization in a (post)modern world." British Journal of Sociology "The general argument is illustrated throughout by a considerable amount of empirical data and rich case studies of a wide range of topics ... The willingness of two sociologists to accept the validity, legitimacy and value of different disciplinary perspectives on suicide is as refreshing as it is unusual. I am less pessimistic than Baudelot and Establet appear to be about the possibility of achieving a genuinely inter-disciplinary approach to researching and understanding suicide. If this book contributes to the realisation of this dream it will have served a very useful purpose indeed." Sociology of Health and IllnessTable of ContentsCONTENTS. INTRODUCTION: SUICIDE AND SOCIETY. The Anthropological Contribution. Society Does Not Shed Light on Suicide; Suicide Sheds Light on Society. Suicide: An Enigma To Be Deciphered. 1. DOES SUICIDE PROTECT?. Suicide and Wealth Around the World. In Rich Societies, Suicide Occurs in Poor Regions. Growing Inequalities?. 2. Take-off. India 1950-2000: An Economic Giant Is Born, Suicide Takes Off. 1980-2000: China Awakens and Suicide Rates Rise. 3. The Great Turning Point. 'England Brings Us a Surprise'. France in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries: The Meandering Evolution of Suicide. 1900-1948: the parallel between suicide and growth breaks down. 1949-1978: strong growth, stable suicide rate. 1979-1995: slower growth, more suicides. England: Classic Evolution. 4. The Trente Glorieuses. State-Orchestrated Growth. Aggravating Factors ... ... And Protective Factors: Creative Individualism. 5. The Soviet Exception. The World Leader. The Social Femur and the Black-Out. Suicide and Industrialization: A Forced March. And There was Light: Long Live French Demography!. 6. The Oil-Price Shocks and Suicide Amongst the Young. France: Young People at Risk, Old People Protected. There Is No French Exception ... ... But There Are the Exceptions of Japan and Germany. The End of the Italian Miracle and British Phlegm. Taking the Social Dimensions of Age Seriously. 7. Suicide and Social Classes: An Overview. The American Geography of Suicide. French Départements: Income Tax and Suicide. Ken Loach's Devastated England Versus Blair-Thatcher's Greater London. Suicide and Social Milieu in France. 8. The Twentieth Century: Greater Protection for the Ruling Classes. Detailed and Rich Data from the USA. First Clue: Many More Social Bonds. Second Clue: Making the Best of It. Modern Forms of Poverty. Towards a Cultural and Social Minimum Wage. 9. And Yet Women Survive. The Chinese Exception. Asia and the Pacific: Conjugal Difficulties and Female Suicide. Revenge Suicide in New Guinea. Japan Falls into Line. Why Do More Western Women Not Commit Suicide?. 10. Conclusion. Suicide: A Lesson in General Sociology. Sociology Does Not Explain Everything. Can There Be A Sociology of Exceptions?. The Economy, Integration and Self-Esteem. Acknowledgements. Bibliography

Read more less

Book SynopsisTwenty years ago Ulrich Beck published Risk Society , a book that called our attention to the dangers of environmental catastrophes and changed the way we think about contemporary societies. During the last two decades, the dangers highlighted by Beck have taken on new forms and assumed ever greater significance.Trade Review“A fascinating examination of the risk society of the twenty-first century. Ulrich Beck details the new world order where terrorism and global climate change haunt our lives and engender some powerful new risks and new modes of politics. This book importantly draws together many of Beck’s themes for examining the main lineaments of the new World at Risk.” John Urry, University of Lancaster “Beck deploys the concept of risk as a sharply focused flashlight that allows him to see what is typically obscured by dominant notions and explanations. This becomes a process of discovery, rare in the social sciences today, concerned as they are with proof. He brilliantly conceptualizes these discoveries in terms of categories not usually used in risk analysis, such as cosmopolitanism. A must-read book.” Saskia Sassen, Columbia UniversityTable of ContentsAcknowledgements vii 1 Introduction: Staging Global Risk 1 2 Relations of Defi nition as Relations of Domination: Who Decides What is and is Not a Risk? 24 3 The 'Cosmopolitan Moment' of World Risk Society or: Enforced Enlightenment 47 4 Clash of Risk Cultures or: The Overlapping of the State of Normalcy and the State of Exception 67 5 Global Public Sphere and Global Subpolitics or: How Real is Catastrophic Climate Change? 81 6 The Provident State or: On the Antiquatedness of Linear Pessimism Concerning Progress 109 7 Knowledge or Non-Knowing? Two Perspectives of 'Reflexive Modernization' 115 8 The Insurance Principle: Criticism and Counter-Criticism 129 9 Felt War, Felt Peace: Staging Violence 140 10 Global Inequality, Local Vulnerability: The Conflict Dynamics of Environmental Hazards Must be Studied within the Framework of Methodological Cosmopolitanism 160 11 Critical Theory of World Risk Society 187 12 Dialectics of Modernity: How the Crises of Modernity Follow from the Triumphs of Modernity 212 Notes 235 References and Bibliography 243 Index 261

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis new edition of a well-regarded book provides a concise and exceptionally clear introduction to Habermas's work, from his early writings on the public sphere, through his work on law and the state, to his more recent discussion of science, religion and contemporary Europe.Trade Review"Continues to be indispensable for those who want to think, or more correctly speak, with and against Habermas." Journal of Sociology "Outhwaite here delivers the perfect combination of accessibility and analytic depth. Habermas's work is notoriously difficult, wide ranging and constantly evolving - yet this classic text introduces his ideas with clarity, never sacrifices their sophistication and covers all the issues. Students love this book and researchers constantly return to it. If you want to really grasp this extraordinary and important thinker, you will need Outhwaite's help." Ricardo Blaug, University of Leeds "William Outhwaite's book on Habermas is an excellent book, which has stood the test of time remarkably well. In what is now an increasingly crowded market it is still the obvious recommendation for readers seeking an advanced account of all aspects of Habermas's work. This new and updated edition is very welcome indeed." Chris Thornhill, University of Glasgow

Read more less

Book SynopsisFor most of us, "Apocalypse" suggests the cataclysmic end of the world. Yet in Greek 'apocalypse' means 'revelation', and the real subject of the "Book of Revelation" is how the sacred arises in history at a moment of crisis and destiny. The author explores the significance of apocalyptic movements and the role they have played.Trade ReviewASA 2010 DistinguishedBook Award - Religion Section "This learned and provocative study will long remain central in the discussions to follow." Contemporary Sociology "Hall's mastery of this literature enables him to construct of a new theory of modernity that has an explanatory power that is clear and compelling. Apocalypse is a dense work, rich in detail and information, that is well worth reading." Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion "A masterly account of a phenomenon that, far from passing out with the coming of modernity,seems intent on re-charging it with its own turbulent passions." European Journal of Social Theory "An extraordinarily erudite and readable book about the apocalyptic imaginary and its range over three millenia." Review of Politics "In this brilliantly conceived study, Hall not only presents a fascinating array of images about the end of time from antiquity to the present, but also forces us to rethink the role of apocalyptic thinking in the human imagination. This mind-bending study shows us that there is an apocalyptic strand to modernity and history, and will affect our own way of thinking about the global future." Mark Juergensmeyer, University of California, Santa Barbara "This is a necessary book. Theoretically sophisticated, historically erudite, Hall explains the contemporary crisis in a new way. Conflicts between the religious and the secular have given way to confrontations between sacred and profane. Apocalypse has entered fully into modern history, and it may be here to stay." Jeffrey C. Alexander, Yale University "The apocalyptic imagination, the idea that historical time could come to an end is indeed a fascinating one. Moreover, as we learn from John R. Hall's impressive study, this idea itself has a history which he traces across the centuries from Ancient Babylonia to contemporary America and Islamic radicalism. The book represents a highly illuminating analysis of the reality and power of social imaginations of time and the end of times." Martin Riesebrodt, University of Chicago "Anyone who has ever wondered 'What on earth is the world coming to?' should read Apocalypse. Few will fail to learn much from this masterly tour de force as John Hall takes us on a sometimes astonishing, occasionally chilling, and always gripping journey through history, explaining how alternative visions of time can herald alternative versions of The End." Eileen Barker, London School of Economics Table of ContentsAcknowledgements. 1. Seeing through the apocalypse. 2. The ancient origins of history and the apocalypse. 3. Medieval Christendom and its Others. 4. Apocalypse re-formed. 5. Modernity and the apocalyptic. 6. Radical Islam and the globalized apocalyptic. 7. The last apocalypse? Notes. Bibliography. Index.

Read more less

Book SynopsisNiklas Luhmann ranks as one of the most important sociologists and social theorists of the twentieth century. Through his many books he developed a highly original form of systems theory that has been hugely influential in a wide variety of disciplines.Trade Review'These lectures, published here in English for the first time, show Luhmann at the height of his powers. They offer a unique insight into the engine room of arguably the world's most famous systems theorist. It is indeed a brilliant mind that is at work here; very few other social scientists would be able to perform at such a level. Particularly for students and readers who are not familiar with Luhmann's style of thought, this is an ideal introduction to systems theory by the man himself.' Andreas Hess, University College Dublin 'Niklas Luhmann is the closest the social sciences have come, in a long time, to an actual thinker. This book is an indispensable introduction to Luhmann’s unique version of systems theory and required reading to all concerned about theoretical sociology. It offers a rare glimpse into the experimental workings of an extraordinary sociological mind at work.' Stephan Fuchs, University of VirginiaTable of ContentsTranslators Note and Acknowledgements System-Autopoiesis-Form: An Introduction to Luhmann's 'Introduction to Systems Theory' Editor's Preface to the German Edition I. Sociology and Systems Theory 1. The Functionalism of System Maintenance 2. Parsons II. General Systems Theory 1. The Theory of Open Systems 2. System as Difference (Formal Analysis) 3. Operational Closure 4. Self-Organization, Autopoiesis 5. Structural Coupling 6. Observing 7. Re-entry 8. Complexity 9. The Idea of Rationality III. Time IV. Meaning V. Psychic and Social Systems 1. Problems of "Action Theory" 2. Two Modes of Operation of Autopoiesis VI. Communication as a Self-Observing Operation VII. Double Contingency, Structure, Conflict Suggested Further Readings

Read more less

Book Synopsis* Think-piece by one of the world s leading authorities in the field of gender studies. * Offers a provocative riposte to the notion that feminism is dead. * Provides a succinct yet comprehensive critical review of recent treatments of feminism explaining why they have got it wrong.Trade Review"Walbys book will undoubtedly become a seminal text in contemporary feminist scholarship. Her defiant tone is refreshing and recalls the rhetoric of many founding texts of the second wave."The Year's Work in Cultural and Critical Theory"A good handbook for feminists, especially those wanting to find out more about feminism's relationship with the state and international organisations."The F-Word"A heartening and timely book, a proof against demoralisation, a warning against internecine splits."Guardian Review"The clearest analysis of how this tradition of feminism finds synergy with the international agenda of human rights."Gender & Development"This is an optimistic book about the future of feminism, even while keeping in mind today's realities."The Global Journal"Once again, Walby puts her finger on the critical issues facing feminists. This balanced and thoughtful assessment of the changes feminism has wrought and the challenges it faces is unlikely to please everyone, but it will surely move debates in a more fruitful direction than the debates over whether feminism is dead or a sell-out to neoliberalism. Her broad and bracing overview of the tensions inherent in the multiple alternative feminist projects going on today should be required reading in all gender and women's studies departments."Myra Marx Ferree, University of Wisconsin-Madison"In this extraordinarily erudite analysis, Walby outlines the interconnections between political regimes, political philosophies and strategies for gender equality across the world, and women's possibilities for achieving rights in public and private spheres. The insights and knowledge she displays of the contexts in which change can best occur are prescriptions for action. This is a book for both scholars and activists."Cynthia Fuchs Epstein, Graduate Center, CUNY and past president of the American Sociological Association"Feminism is not dead and feminism matters for all our futures: this is the central message of Sylvia Walby's carefully researched book. She amply demonstrates the continued vitality and viability of feminist projects in a variety of forms and contexts, assesses the challenges feminism faces and argues strongly for its continued relevance to conemporary global politics."Stevi Jackson, University of YorkTable of Contents1 Introduction 2 Contesting feminism 3 What does feminism do? 4 New forms of feminist organisation 5 Gender mainstreaming 6 Changes in the context for feminism7 Feminist intersections 8 Alternative futuresReferences

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe creative industries are the subject of growing attention among policy-makers, academics, activists, artists and development specialists worldwide.Trade Review"Flew's sober and penetrating analysis of the increasingly global character of the creative industries sheds a bright light on a field too often characterized more by heat. Both scholarly and accessible, it should be of great use to academics, policy experts, and media professionals alike."Thomas Streeter, author of The Net Effect: Romanticism, Capitalism, and the Internet"This volume provides an admirable and far-ranging study, which provides real insight into what is happening to creative industries around the world from a variety of perspectives including consumption, policy and markets. This is one of those rare books which academics, students and media professionals will find useful and illuminating."Jeanette Steemers, University of Westminster"Global Creative Industries provides a valuable extension beyond previous work through its emphasis on development outside of the metropolitan centres. The book takes a critical stance and makes an important contribution to the field by using various case studies as a way of illustrating the complexities of creative industries in practice."Petros Iosifidis, City University LondonTable of ContentsContentsList of Figures and TablesAcknowledgementsChapter One IndustriesChapter Two ProductionChapter Three ConsumptionChapter Four MarketsChapter Five PlacesChapter Six PoliciesEndnotesBibliography

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis liquid modern world of ours, like all liquids, cannot stand still and keep its shape for long. Everything keeps changing - the fashions we follow, the events that intermittently catch our attention, the things we dream of and things we fear.Trade Review"Bauman is geniunely interested in changing attitudes between generations (about parenting, privacy, shopping, risk and the like), and the evolution of mores in fashion, culture, and education, never resorting to the boo-hurrah dichotomies employed by true professionals of this genre. Sympathy for the young is ever-present: there is much about the ambiguous goods of texting, Facebook and the like, and Bauman already saw modern existence as 'a life of continuous emergency' even before the financial crisis struck. Overall: magnificently untweetable."Steven Poole, The GuardianTable of Contents1 On writing letters – from a liquid modern world 1 2 Crowded solitude 6 3 Parents and children conversing 10 4 Offline, online 14 5 As the birds do 18 6 Virtual sex 22 7 Strange adventures of privacy (1) 26 8 Strange adventures of privacy (2) 30 9 Strange adventures of privacy (3) 34 10 Parents and children 38 11 Teenager spending 42 12 Stalking the Y generation 46 13 Freedom's false dawn 50 14 The arrival of child-women 54 15 It is the eyelash's turn 58 16 Fashion, or being on the move 62 17 Consumerism is not just about consumption 67 18 Whatever happened to the cultural elite 71 19 Drugs and diseases 75 20 Swine flu and other reasons to panic 79 21 Health and inequality 83 22 Be warned 87 23 The world inhospitable to education? (part one) 91 24 The world inhospitable to education? (part two) 95 25 The world inhospitable to education? (part three) 99 26 Ghosts of New Years past and New Years to come 102 27 Predicting the unpredictable 106 28 Calculating the incalculable 111 29 Phobia’s twisted trajectories 115 30 Interregnum 119 31 Whence the superhuman force – and what for? 123 32 Back home, you men? 128 33 Escape from crisis 132 34 Is there an end to depression? 136 35 Who says you have to live by the rules? 141 36 The phenomenon of Barack Obama 146 37 Culture in a globalized city 149 38 The voice of Lorna’s silence 153 39 Strangers are dangers . . . Are they, indeed? 157 40 Tribes and skies 163 41 Drawing boundaries 167 42 How good people turn evil 172 43 Fate and character 178 44 Albert Camus, or: I rebel, therefore we exist . . . 182 Notes 186

Read more less

Book SynopsisDespite many predictions made over the last two hundred years that nation-states and nationalism are transient phenomena that will eventually fade away, the historical record and contemporary events show otherwise.Trade Review"The book is an excellent, theoretically sophisticated yet eminently readable piece of literature, stimulating reflection and causing surprise with the non-obviousness of the reader’s own deeply internalised convictions." (Social Space) "Highly recommended" (Choice) "Nation-states and nationalism remain hotly contested topics. What are they and where do they come from? Malesevic's approach is both original and arresting: to stress not culture or biological descent but organization, ideology, and transformations of solidarity. This casts the debate in a novel form, and is bound to give this book a wide and attentive readership."—Krishan Kumar, University of Virginia "Theoretically sophisticated yet eminently readable, this book provides an excellent introduction to the study of nationhood and nationalism."—Rogers Brubaker, University of California, Los AngelesTable of ContentsAcknowledgements viii 1. The Salience of Nationalism 1 2. Group Solidarities before the Nation-State 20 3. The Birth and Expansion of Nationalisms 55 4. Nationalist Ideologies and Violence 89 5. The Omnipotence of Triviality 120 6. Beyond National Identity 155 7. The Future of Nationalisms 180 Notes 199 Bibliography 208 Index 229

Read more less