Current Perspectives in Social Theory (CPST) presents essays on major issues in contemporary theoretical sociology, providing both critical overviews of major debates and original contributions by specialists working in social theory, sociological theory, and critical theory.

This is the 18th volume in a series discussing a topics in social theory. It is divided into three parts which address: critical social theory beyond critical theory; critical social theory and contemporary social structures; and critical and contemporary social H locies.

This volume discusses, and manifests, three interrelated perspectives in social theory. First, that all knowledge, including scientific knowledge, is theoretical: there are alternative perspectives, or theories, about any phenomenon. Second, that all knowledge, including scientific knowledge is political: these alternative perspectives are contested, as they are related to different groups with different interests. Third, that all knowledge, including scientific knowledge, is social: alternative perspectives have alternative social causes and alternative social effects.

"Current Perspectives in Social Theory" presents essays on the major issues in contemporary theoretical work in sociology, providing both a critical overview of the development of major debates and original formulations by specialists working in various fields. Emphasis is put upon the presentation of new developments in special areas. Intended to cover the discipline as a whole, "Current Perspectives in Social Theory" seeks to maintain a balance between the general and the particular by dividing each volume into two parts, the first consisting of field statements by recognized academics in major areas of sociology, the second consisting of pieces focused on more detailed theoretical issues.

This study provides a close textual analysis of Durkheimian sociology from the standpoint of critical structuralism. Durkheim's social ontology is analyzed as a sociologistic theory of reality driven by an apparent tension between social determinism and individualism. This tension is probed to reveal its ultimate resolution in an absolute social determinism. This sociologistic social determinism is then scrutinized, as a potential affinity beween Durkheimianism and structuralism. It is demonstrated that Durkheim's ontological social determinism, while absolute, is coextensive with an ontological collective subjectivism. The author concludes that Durkheim's socio-ontology is wholly incompatible with structuralist socio-ontology. Durkheim's epistemology is analyzed as a sociological theory of knowledge, engendering an apparent tension between social relativism and scientific rationalism. This tension is examined to reveal its ultimate resolution in an absolute scientific rationalism. This sociological scientific rationalism is then scrutinized as a potential affinity between Durkheimianism and structuralism.

This work contains an Introduction by Harry F. Dahms. It includes contents such as: Periodizing Globalization: From Cold War Modernization to the Bush Doctrine Robert J. Antonio and Alessandro Bonanno; Recognizing Empire: Alienation, Authority, and Delusions of Grandeur David Norman Smith; Corporate Warriors: Changing Forms of Private Armed Force in America Harry W. Isaac and Daniel M. Harrison; From Exceptionalism to Imperialism: Culture, Character and American Foreign Policy Lauren Langman and Meghan Burke; 9.11.01 and Its Global Aftermath: Empire Strikes Back? Timothy Luke. It also includes commentaries - Globalization and Social Justice: Working the Tensions of the Dialectics of National Character Karen Monkman; Neoliberalism and its Discontents: Comments on Three Views of the American Empire Barney Warf. It includes five chapters and two commentaries from some of the most respected personalities in the field. It takes a broad and diverse look at the development of globalization.

The contributions in this 22nd volume of "Current Perspectives in Social Theory" explore the arguments for and against a view of the world in which multiple, distinct and conflicting societies differ both over time and contemporaneously.

Reflecting the cultural diversity in critical theory, Current perspectives in social theory presents work from a variety of theoretical traditions demonstrating the problems of sociological theorizing. Volume 21 echoes a current trend by publishing articles that reconsider Marx, Althusser and Gramsci.

Current Perspectives in Social Theory (CPST) presents essays on major issues in contemporary theoretical sociology, providing both critical overviews of major debates and original contributions by specialists working in social theory, sociological theory, and critical theory.

This is the 16th volume in the series discussing a variety of topics in the field of current perspectives in social theory.