Synopses & Reviews
This original new book offers a comprehensive introduction to social theories and how they are applied to contemporary social problems. It charts a critical path from Max Weber, the early Frankfurt School, through to the work of Michel Foucault, the concept of postmodernism, and current debates surrounding globalization, risk, and network society. Exploring all the key ideas and thinkers, in addition to the most recent debates in the field, this book will be an engaging and lucid read for all those seeking to understand contemporary social theory today.
Synopsis
Offers a comprehensive introduction to social theories and how they are applied to contemporary social problems. This book charts a critical path from Max Weber, the early Frankfurt School, through to the work of Michel Foucault, the concept of Postmodernism and the debates surrounding globalization, risk and network society.
Synopsis
This book provides a thorough and critical exploration of key ideas and thinkers in contemporary social theory.
About the Author
SIMON CLARKE is Co-director of the Centre for Psycho-Social Studies and a Reader in the School of Sociology at the University of the West of England.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements * From Enlightenment to Risk: An Introduction * Reason, Rationalisation and the Culture Industry * The End of Enlightenment: Critical Theory, Modernity and Genocide * Jurgen Habermas: Self Reflection, Rationality and Communicative Action * Michel Foucault: Reason and Unreason - From the 'Ship of Fools' to Disciplinary Society * Post Modernism, Post Modernity and Hyperreality * Shrinking the World: The Globalisation of Modernity * Risk Society and (Dis)Information: From Reflexive Modernisation to Cybersociality * Critical Psycho-Social Studies: A Conclusion * Bibliography