William Outhwaite, Larry Ray

Social Theory and Postcommunism

• Gebundenes Buch

Produktbeschreibung

Social Theory and Postcommunismis a unique, well-written, and accessible text that analyzes the implications of the fall of communism on social theory. Written by two leading social theorists, the book discusses the thesis that the fall of communism has decimated alternative conceptions of social organizations other than capitalism. By undertaking a thorough study of the implications of post-Communism for sociological theory, it reviews almost every key issue which currently occupies social theory: state/civil society, globalization, the future of "modernity," and postsocialism. Outhwaite and Ray cover such issues while still referencing older traditions, such as the modernization theory. With clarity, insight, and authority, this book presents a new understanding of social theory for the student or scholar.

Produktdetails

• Verlag: Turner Publishing Company
• Seitenzahl: 268
• Erscheinungstermin: 11. Februar 2005
• Englisch
• Abmessung: 240mm x 161mm x 19mm
• Gewicht: 572g
• ISBN-13: 9780631211112
• ISBN-10: 063121111X
• Artikelnr.: 22065659

Autorenporträt

William Outhwaite is Professor of Sociology at the University of Sussex. His recent publications include The Sociology of Politics (co-edited with Luke Martell, 1998) and The Blackwell Dictionary of Modern Social Thought (Blackwell 2002). He also acts as Associate Editor of the European Journal of Social Theory. Larry Ray is Professor of Sociology at the University of Kent. He has recently published Theorizing Classical Sociology (1999) and Key Contemporary Social Theorists (co-edited with Anthony Elliott, Blackwell 2002). He has done extensive work and research on the crisis and transformation of postcommunist societies.

Inhaltsangabe

Preface.

Introduction: Being Taken By Surprise.

1 Theory After the Fall.

2 Class: Marx and Weber.

3 Society, Solidarity and Anomie: Durkheim.

4 Three Types of Convergence.

5 Socialism, modernity and beyond.

6 Globalization and Convergence.

7 Civil Society East and West.

8 Modernity, memory and postcommunism.

9 Concluding Themes.

Index

Rezensionen

"[This] book is important. The theoretical challenges andchances for reinvigoration that postcommunism represents haveundoubtedly been overlooked thus far. Outhwaite and Ray haveprovided a very suggestive redress." Australian Journal ofPolitical Science

"This book offers an insightful and refreshingly jargon-freeexamination of the major dilemmas faced by post-Communist politiesin their search for constructing democratic communities ...Students of democracy, globalization, civil society,nationalism and political ideologies will find this book extremelyuseful." Seer

"No doubt ... the book deserves the attention that it islikely to attract." American Journal of Sociology

"This book offers an insightful and refreshingly jargon-freeexamination of the major dilemmas faced by post-Communist politiesin their search for constructing democratic communities. Studentsof democracy, globalization, civil society, nationalism andpolitical ideologies will find this book extremely useful."Slavonic and East European Review

"[Each chapter] offers a survey of a significant body ofliterature... In their literature surveys, Outhwaite and Rayprovide clear and engaging overviews. The chapters are written forreaders well versed in both classical and contemporary sociology.Each is valuable on its own as an informed essay on a major themein social theory... There is much to appreciate in what Outhwaiteand Ray have to say in this book, including both their respect forthe stubbornness of reality in contradicting our ideas and theirmoral concern for the economic and political injustice thatpersists in the face of that reality." Philosophy of the SocialSciences

"A significant event in social theory's ongoing return toearth after its prolonged fit of factless abstractionalism, madeall the more valuable by the authors' knowledge of, and respectfor, the world's particularity. A genuinely thoughtful and thoughtprovoking book." Anthony Woodiwiss, City University