"Signifying Europe "provides a systematic overview of the wide range of symbols used to represent Europe and Europeanness, both by the political elite and the broader public. Through a critical interpretation of the meanings of the various symbols--and their often contradictory or ambiguous dimensions--Johan Fornas uncovers illuminating insights into how Europe currently identifies itself and is identified by others outside its borders. While the focus is on the European Union's symbols, those symbols are also interpreted in relation to other symbols of Europe. Offering insight into the cultural dimensions of European unification, this volume will appeal to students, scholars, and politicians interested in European policy issues, cultural studies, and postnational cultural identity.

In the most complete, accurate and accessible presentation of Karl Marx s theory of capitalism to date, Johan Fornas presents a guide for anyone who wants to understand how today s crisis-ridden society has emerged and is able to sustain and intensify its own deep inner contradictions. "Capitalism" clearly explains these contradictions, which are so relevant again today in the wake of the financial crisis.

This clear and engaging guide explains capitalism for absolute beginners. Fornas situates Marx s ideas in context, remaining faithful to the concepts and structure of his work. This complete introduction to Marx s economy critique covers all three volumes of "Capital." It explores all the main aspects of Marx s work including his economic theory, his philosophical sophistication and his political critique introducing the reader to Marx s typical blend of sharp arguments, ruthless social reportage and utopian visions.

This book will be of interest to students throughout the social sciences and humanities, including those studying sociology, social theory, economics, business studies, history, cultural studies, and politics."

In the most complete, accurate and accessible presentation of Karl Marx's theory of capitalism to date, Johan Fornas presents a guide for anyone who wants to understand how today's crisis-ridden society has emerged and is able to sustain and intensify its own deep inner contradictions. Capitalism clearly explains these contradictions, which are so relevant again today in the wake of the financial crisis. This clear and engaging guide explains capitalism for absolute beginners. Fornas situates Marx's ideas in context, remaining faithful to the concepts and structure of his work. This complete introduction to Marx's economy critique covers all three volumes of Capital. It explores all the main aspects of Marx's work - including his economic theory, his philosophical sophistication and his political critique - introducing the reader to Marx's typical blend of sharp arguments, ruthless social reportage and utopian visions. This book will be of interest to students throughout the social sciences and humanities, including those studying sociology, social theory, economics, business studies, history, cultural studies, and politics.

Seeking to understand youth culture through its visual and musical expression, "In Garageland" presents a pioneering ethnographc study of rock bands and their fans.
The authors explore the functions of rock playing within three socially different peer groups, investigating how their activities relate to the external demands and resources of a postmodern world. Presented in the "dialogic" format--the authorial text juxtaposed on the page with the remarks of those interviewed--the authors analyze the objective, social, symbolic and subjective sources and meanings of rock playing, relating these to theories on modernity, social groups and the production and reception of cultural symbols.
Topics include class as well as sexual conflicts; mainstream and deviant subcultures, and the complex social, psychological and ethical relationships which exist within youth culture. "In Garageland" develops the notion of youth culture research as a way of mirroring our grown-up identities and of staking out the limits of late modern culture in general.

"Signifying Europe "provides a systematic overview of the wide range of symbols used to represent Europe and Europeanness, both by the political elite and the broader public. Through a critical interpretation of the meanings of the various symbols--and their often contradictory or ambiguous dimensions--Johan Fornas uncovers illuminating insights into how Europe currently identifies itself and is identified by others outside its borders. While the focus is on the European Union's symbols, those symbols are also interpreted in relation to other symbols of Europe. Offering insight into the cultural dimensions of European unification, this volume will appeal to students, scholars, and politicians interested in European policy issues, cultural studies, and postnational cultural identity.

How is Europe identified in narratives from its eastern periphery? This is the core question of this volume. Its chapters map narratives of Europe rooted in East Europe, as they circulate in phenomenological philosophy, news journalism, social movements, literary texts, visual art and popular music. Whereas debate and research on European identity is normally conducted in self-congratulatory terms by core institutions in the centre, the focus here is on how Europeanness is narrated in one of its most dynamic regions: Eastern Europe. A closer scrutiny of how such East European narratives critically rework inherited conceptions reveals a range of strategies for interpreting European identity in this transitory phase of history. Open Access PDF of this title is available from OAPEN, at this link Europe Faces Europe.

This wide-ranging book offers an original and inventive overview of contemporary cultural theory. Drawing together a wealth of different traditions and approaches, Johan Fornas outlines the breadth of the field of cultural theory and proposes a multidimensional model for understanding culture in late modernity.

Poised between the commercialism of mass consumption and a questioning of prevailing social norms, youth cultures offer a fascinating insight into the social and cultural state of Western societies. This innovative collection provides a lively exploration of such cultures, with all their implicit ironies and contradictions, at the end of the twentieth century. Highlighting the current forms of expression - music, style, fashion, entertainment - and the richness of youth culture's historical and contemporary variety, the contributors address key issues including: why young people are seen as at risk from popular culture; how late modernity affects changing shifts in gender relations; how young people relate to texts, from the literary to the the transgressive; and how the young construct alternative social spheres and symbolic forms. Youth Culture in Late Modernity outlines the range of approaches to understanding youth culture and subculture and their relations to, or differences from, popular and high culture.