A Philosophical History of German Sociology presents a systematic reconstruction of critical theory, from the founding fathers of sociology (Marx, Simmel, Weber) via Lukacs to the Frankfurt School (Horkheimer, Adorno, Habermas). Through an in depth analysis of the theories of alienation, rationalisation and reification, it investigates the metatheoretical presuppositions of a critical theory of the present that not only highlights the reality of domination, but is also able to highlight the possibilities of emancipation.

Although not written as a textbook, its clear and cogent introduction to some of the main theories of sociology make this book a valuable resource for undergraduates and postgraduates alike. The following in-depth investigation of theories of alienation and reification offer essential material for any critique of the dehumanizing tendencies of today's global world.

Recently translated into English from the original French for the first time, this text showcases Vandenberghe's mastery of the German, French and English schools of sociology study. The result is an important and challenging text that is essential reading for sociology students of all levels.

Frederic Vandenberghe is a Sociology professor and researcher at Iuperj (Instituto Universitario de Pesquisas do Rio de Janeiro), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. His writings on a broad range of sociological topics have been published as books and articles around the world. "

A Philosophical History of German Sociology presents a systematic reconstruction of critical theory, from the founding fathers of sociology (Marx, Simmel, Weber) via Luk cs to the Frankfurt School (Horkheimer, Adorno, Habermas). Through an in depth analysis of the theories of alienation, rationalisation and reification, it investigates the metatheoretical presuppositions of a critical theory of the present that not only highlights the reality of domination, but is also able to highlight the possibilities of emancipation.

Although not written as a textbook, its clear and cogent introduction to some of the main theories of sociology make this book a valuable resource for undergraduates and postgraduates alike. The following in-depth investigation of theories of alienation and reification offer essential material for any critique of the dehumanizing tendencies of today s global world.

Recently translated into English from the original French for the first time, this text showcases Vandenberghe's mastery of the German, French and English schools of sociology study. The result is an important and challenging text that is essential reading for sociology students of all levels.

Fr d ric Vandenberghe is a Sociology professor and researcher at Iuperj (Instituto Universit rio de Pesquisas do Rio de Janeiro), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. His writings on a broad range of sociological topics have been published as books and articles around the world.

This collection reflects the growing interest realist critics have shown towards forms of discourse theory and deconstruction. The diverse range of contributions address such issues as the work of Derrida and deconstruction, discourse theory, Eurocentrism and poststructuralism. What unites all of the contributions is a sense that it is essential to provide a realist alternative to the hitherto dominance of social constructionism, hermeneutics and postmodernism, over many of the issues discussed.
By developing a realist perspective the different authors attempt to embed discourse within the structured nature of the reality of the world. Realism can situate language, discourse and ideology within context specific, or 'causally efficacious' circumstances. Realism can help to uncover issues of power, representation, and subjectivity and how discursive and other social practices produce real effects. This can help us understand the manner in which (non-discursive) social structures are reproduced through various forms of ideology and discourse. And by knowing this, we can start to address questions concerning human emancipation and how the world is to be transformed.

Hegemony: A Realist Analysis is a new and original approach to this important concept. It presents a theoretical history of the use of hegemony in a range of work starting with a discussion of Gramsci and Russian Marxism and going on to look at more recent applications. It examines the current debates and discusses the new direction to Marx made by Jacques Derrida, before outlining a critical realist/Marxist alternative. This book employs critical realist philosophy in an explanatory way to help clarify the concept of hegemony and its relation to societal processes. This work contributes to recent debates in social science and political philosophy, developing both the concept of hegemony itself, and the work of critical realism.

Contents:
1. Introduction: Realism, Discourse and Deconstruction Jonathan Joseph and John Michael Roberts
Part One: Realism and Critical Discourse Analysis
2. Critical Realism and Semiosis Norman Fairclough, Bob Jessop and Andrew Sayer
3. Critical Realism, Critical Discourse Analysis, Concrete Research Martin Jones
4. How Might the Inclusion of Discursive Approaches Enrich Critical Realist Analysis? The Case of Environmentalism Jenneth Parker
Part Two: Voloshinov and Bakhtin
5. Will the Materialists in the Bakhtin Circle Please Stand Up? John Michael Roberts
6. Value and Contract Formation Howard Engelskirchen
Part Three: Realism and Post-Marxism
7. Lost in Transit: Reconceptualising the Real Neil Curry
8. Laclau and Mouffe and the Discursive Turn: Gains and the Losses Kathryn Dean
Part Four: Realism and Eurocentric Discourse
9. Eurocentrism, Realism and the Anthropic Carthography of Emancipation Rajani Kanth
10. The Dialectics of Realist Theory and the Eurocentric Problem of Modern Discourse Nick Hostettler
11. Limited Incorporation or Sleeping with the Enemy: Reading Derrida as a Critical Realist Colin Wight
12. Dialectics, Deconstruction and the Legal Subject Alan Norrie
13. Learning to Live (with Derrida) Jonathan Joseph
14. Deconstructing Anti-Realism: Derrida's 'White Mythology Christopher Norris

Hegemony: A Realist Analysis is a new and original approach to this important concept. It presents a theoretical history of the use of hegemony in a range of work starting with a discussion of Gramsci and Russian Marxism and going on to look at more recent applications. It examines the current debates and discusses the new direction to Marx made by Jacques Derrida, before outlining a critical realist/Marxist alternative.
This book employs critical realist philosophy in an explanatory way to help clarify the concept of hegemony and its relation to societal processes. This work contributes to recent debates in social science and political philosophy, developing both the concept of hegemony itself, and the work of critical realism.

eBook available with sample pages: 0203166523

Wellbeing, resilience and sustainability are three of the most popular ideas in current usage and are said to represent a much-needed paradigm shift in political and policy thinking. This book is unique in bringing the three concepts together as representing a new trinity of governance. Here we introduce some of the commonalities between the ideas, particularly their concern with distinctive human capacities that shape who we are and that imply a particular relationship to our wider social and natural environments. The book explains what is distinctive about the three ideas and why they are currently popular. In particular, we are concerned with how these ideas contribute to governance 'after the crisis', and how questions of social, political and economic uncertainty influence the ways in which these main arguments are developed. The book will appeal to those studying these ideas, how they apply to politics, political economy and governance, and to the wider public and policy-makers in these fields.

This textbook introduction to Social Theory is unique in addressing key issues in sociological, political and cultural analysis through an examination of modern theories of social conflict, cohesion and consent. Chapters are structured to cover the major thinkers - Marx and Engels, Gramsci, Durkheim, Parsons, Weber, the Frankfurt School (Adorno, Horkheimer, Marcuse and Habermas) and Foucault - and offer a useful and accessible introduction to the main ideas of these important and widely studied theorists. Through the unifying theme of conflict, cohesion and consent the reader is introduced to core social concepts such as structure and agency, ideology, discourse and legitimation, and to key features of modern society such as the state, economy and civil society. Dealing with both contemporary social debates and established theoretical approaches, this book is ideal for both Politics and Sociology students. Key Features: * Author writes with great clarity, making the text accessible to undergraduates * Unique in addressing key issues in sociology, politics and cultural studies through examination of modern social theories of conflict, cohesion and consent * Chapters organised around the core thinkers: Marx, Engels, Gramsci, Durkheim, Weber, the Frankfurt School, and Foucault * Introduces students to key social concepts of structure, agency, discourse, legitimation, power, communication, functionalism and hegemony

This introduction to social theory addresses key issues in sociological, political, and cultural analysis through the unifying theme of social conflict, cohesion, and consent. Structured around the major theorists in the field, Joseph examines such thinkers as Marx and Engels, Gramsci, Durkheim, Parsons, Weber, The Frankfurt School, and Foucault. Through their ideas, core social concepts and key features of modern society are introduced, including structure and agency, ideology, discourse and legitimation, the state, the economy, and civil society. Dealing with both contemporary social debates and established theoretical approaches, Social Theory serves as a uniquely useful introduction for both politics and sociology students.

In Turn Your Common Sense into Business Savvy Jonathan's goal is to speak to millions of individuals who have difficulties when it comes to mastering the right ways to use your common sense to become successful. This book will touch on several scenarios that you can run into on your ladder to success and how to tackle those obstacles and come out on top. It will show how to provide honest and positive answers to interviews, how to apply your everyday lifestyle to a bigger picture of leadership, business management, and a great journey to self-discovery. About the Author: Jonathan Joseph is a General Manager of an established high volume restaurant in Washington, D.C.

Resilience refers to the ability of individuals, groups and societies to withstand and recover from external shocks. This pioneering book-length comparative study examines resilience as it is experienced across different countries, such as the UK, US, France, Germany and EU. Furthermore it considers cases from policy sectors including national security, counterterrorism, civil protection, disaster risk reduction, critical infrastructure protection and overseas interventions. In doing so, Joseph provides an account of why it is that resilience has become such a popular policy topic, looking at its focus on complexity, the human and the role of resilient individuals and communities. Arguing that resilience has risen to prominence because it fits with a particularly Anglo-Saxon and neoliberal form of governance, Joseph discovers differing results across policy domains and national contexts, fomenting variations and tensions in the international discourse of resilience in policy-making.

How do influential social ideas contribute to global governance? This book takes an original approach to international relations by looking at the way social ideas help to portray the world in a particular way. Jonathan Joseph begins by analysing the role of important concepts such as globalisation, global civil society, social capital, networks and risk; then examines the role these concepts play in the discourse of international organisations. Using the concept of governmentality, he argues that contemporary social theories help justify contemporary forms of governance. By comparing organisations like the EU and the World Bank, Joseph investigates the extent to which these ideas are influential in theory and in practice.

This introduction to social theory addresses key issues in sociological, political, and cultural analysis through the unifying theme of social conflict, cohesion, and consent. Structured around the major theorists in the field, Joseph examines such thinkers as Marx and Engels, Gramsci, Durkheim, Parsons, Weber, The Frankfurt School, and Foucault. Through their ideas, core social concepts and key features of modern society are introduced, including structure and agency, ideology, discourse and legitimation, the state, the economy, and civil society. Dealing with both contemporary social debates and established theoretical approaches, Social Theory serves as a uniquely useful introduction for both politics and sociology students.

How do influential social ideas contribute to global governance? This book takes an original approach to international relations by looking at the way social ideas help to portray the world in a particular way. Jonathan Joseph begins by analysing the role of important concepts such as globalisation, global civil society, social capital, networks and risk; then examines the role these concepts play in the discourse of international organisations. Using the concept of governmentality, he argues that contemporary social theories help justify contemporary forms of governance. By comparing organisations like the EU and the World Bank, Joseph investigates the extent to which these ideas are influential in theory and in practice.

Covering a wide area of political sociology and social and political theory, this Reader offers a selection of extracts incorporating both primary and secondary readings. As well as a general introduction to the concept of social theory, each section is prefaced by an introduction to the relevant theorist(s) and each reading is accompanied by a short explanatory introduction.

Including a broad range of texts, the book offers a general introduction to the main writings of political sociology and social theory. While other texts tend to focus either on either traditional or contemporary figures, this Reader is unique in tracing a connecting strand from the work of Marx, Weber and Durkheim to more contemporary social theorists. And by focusing on the theories of social conflict, cohesion and consent it also acts as a guide to issues in sociological, political and cultural analysis.

Includes sections on:

* Marx and Engels

* Gramsci

* Durkheim and Parsons

* Weber

* The Frankfurt School (Adorno and Horkheimer; Marcuse; Habermas)

* Foucault

Introduces core social concepts and key features of modern society:

* Structure and Agency* Ideology

* Discourse and Legitimation

* The State

* Economy

* Civil Society

Key Features

* Covers the main social thinkers and the most important concepts

* Focuses on how writers contribute to our understanding of social conflict, cohesion and consent

* Substantial introductions to each part place the readings in context