Cart
Free US shipping over $10
Proud to be B-Corp

Social Theory for Today Alex Law

Social Theory for Today By Alex Law

Social Theory for Today by Alex Law


$10.00
Condition - Like New
Only 1 left

Summary

An intelligent and engaging exploration of the continuing relevance of both classical and contemporary social theory in today's world.

Social Theory for Today Summary

Social Theory for Today: Making Sense of Social Worlds by Alex Law

"This book is distinctive for extending the usual sociological reach, reopening territory that has lain fallow, set aside from the well-ploughed fields of orthodox social theory. In doing so, Law not only produces fresh insight into familiar theorists but guards against collective forgetting of the sociological canon."
- Professor Bridget Fowler, University of Glasgow


"An excellent book, it will be welcomed and read widely by advanced undergraduates, postgraduates and scholars in sociology, cultural studies, social theory and beyond."
- Professor Chris Shilling, University of Kent


Social Theory for Today guides students through the 'turns' of past and present social theory as it attempts to wrestle with a recurring sense of crisis in social relations and social theory. Drawing on both classical and contemporary sources, Alex Law provides readers with a firm grasp of competing perspectives.

Too often social theories attempt to dominate the field by casting rival theorists, past and present, as deluded fools, while the more familiar 'big names' in social theory are subject to ever-increasing commentary that runs in ever-decreasing circles. This survey of social theory and crisis lessens the temptation to engage in internal theoretical polemics and esoteric wordplay. Social theory must become practical and specific if it is to become a means of orientation for uncertain times.

This is a must-read for upper level undergraduate and postgraduate students looking for a vibrant and extended understanding of social theory.

Social Theory for Today Reviews

Pivoting on a theme appropriate to our dark times - the need to understand social crisis - this learned book reverses the conventional Parsonian focus on social order. Taking Hamlet's brooding sense of "times out of joint" as the prism through which he approaches the modern social world, the author demonstrates throughout his exceptional breadth of knowledge, ending with a lucid and masterly comparison of Norbert Elias and Pierre Bourdieu. This book is distinctive for extending the usual sociological reach, reopening territory that has lain fallow, set aside from the well-ploughed fields of orthodox social theory. In doing so, he not only produces fresh insight into familiar theorists but guards against collective forgetting of the sociological canon. The result is an illuminating work which repudiates ill-informed sniping at thinkers such as Auguste Comte, Otto Neurath, Siegfried Kracauer and Franz Borkenau, whilst also showing the canonical figures in a new light.

-- Bridget Fowler
This is a scholarly and engaging addition to the field of social theory that is focused upon the relationship between theory, crisis and history. An excellent book, it will be welcomed and read widely by advanced undergraduates, postgraduates and scholars in sociology, cultural studies, social theory and beyond. -- Chris Shilling
For tourism scholars who reflect seriously on the sociocultural production of meanings, how territorial development (place branding) influences the way in which people perceive themselves, how the local distribution of power marginalizes specific social groups and favors others, how cultural intangibles (social memory) are being transformed according to market rules, and how business-oriented policies are transforming differences in inequalities, Law's book is a must read. -- Antonio Miguel Nogues-Pedregal, Universitas Miguel Hernandez

About Alex Law

Alex Law is Professor of Sociology at Abertay University, Dundee.

Table of Contents

Introduction: The Narcissism of Minor Differences Social Theory and Crisis Positivist Turn: Auguste Comte Marx's Turn Nietzsche's Turn: Max Weber and Georg Simmel Ideological Turn: Antonio Gramsci and Georg Lukacs Reflexive Turn: Otto Neurath and Empirical Sociology Modernist Turn: Walter Benjamin and Siegfried Kracauer Critical Turn: The Frankfurt School Negative Turn: Horkheimer, Adorno and Habermas Quotidian Turn: Henri Lefebvre Corporeal Turn: Maurice Merleau-Ponty Pragmatic Turn: Social theory in the US Cultural Turn: Social Theory in France and Britain Relational Turn: Norbert Elias and Pierre Bourdieu Conclusion

Additional information

GOR010608869
9781446209028
1446209024
Social Theory for Today: Making Sense of Social Worlds by Alex Law
Used - Like New
Paperback
SAGE Publications Ltd
2014-12-11
344
N/A
Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
The book has been read, but looks new. The book cover has no visible wear, and the dust jacket is included if applicable. No missing or damaged pages, no tears, possible very minimal creasing, no underlining or highlighting of text, and no writing in the margins

Customer Reviews - Social Theory for Today