The spectacle of major cultural and sporting events can preoccupy modern societies. This book is concerned with contemporary mega-events, like the Olympics and Expos. Using a sociological perspective Roche argues that mega-events reflect the major social changes which now influence our societies, particularly in the West, and that these amount to a new 'second phase' of the modernization process. Changes are particularly visible in the media, urban and global locational aspects of mega-events. Thus he suggests that contemporary mega-events, both in their achievements and their vulnerabilities, reflect, in the media sphere, the rise of the internet; in the urban sphere, de-industrialisation and the growing ecological crisis; and in the global sphere, the relative decline of the West and the rise of China and other 'emerging' countries. -- .

This is a work of social theory and philosophy which seeks to make the constitution of social theory a 'social' activity. It is essentially a collaborative text, by five authors, committed to a re-awakening of some of the forgotten dimensions of social theorizing. The collaborative work was originally occasioned by an attempt to analyse the notion of social stratification and its treatment in the sociological tradition. The authors' main concern here is with the nature of social theorizing, and in particular the 'difference' between Self and Other, being and beings, Language and Speech. The papers in the book focus on themes that are fundamental to the sense of inquiry and tradition which they are concerned to display. The themes discussed include speech, Language, Identity, Difference, Critical Tradition, Community, Metaphor, Dialectics, Observing and Reading.

This book looks at two 'revolutions' in philosophy - phenomenology and conceptual analysis which have been influential in sociology and psychology. It discusses humanistic psychiatry and sociological approaches to the specific area of mental illness, which counter the ultimately reductionist implications of Freudian psycho-analytic theory. The book, originally published in 1973, concludes by stating the broad underlying themes of the two forms of humanistic philosophy and indicating how they relate to the problems of theory and method in sociology.

Frist published in 1997, this book aims to answer if European 'post-national' citizenship provide a practical opening and a conceptual challenge to cope with the diverse and close-circuiting crises of national European social models? What then might a new sphere of European social inclusion look like? This book also provided the first attempt to go well beyond 'national gridlock'. Old solutions will no longer do. Is new land in sight? With monetary integration almost implemented this is a highly relevant exploration of a central complementary 'common currency' in Europe's future.

Contents:
1. Mega-Events and Modernity: Perspectives and Themes PART ONE: 2. Expos and Cultural Power: Capitalism, Nationalism and Imperialism 3. Mega-Events and Cultural Citizenship: Consumerism, Inclusion/Exclusion and Internationalism 4. The Olympics, Internationalism and Supernationalism: International Sports Events and Movements in the Interwar period PART TWO: 5. Mega-Events, Cities and Tourist Culture: Olympics and Expos 6. Mega-Events and the Media Culture: Sport and the Olympics 7. Mega-Events and Global Citizenship: Olympic Problems and Responses 8. Mega-Events, Identity and Global Society: Theoretical Reflections

This new ground-breaking analysis explores the social history and politics of 'mega-events' from the late 19th century to the present. Through case studies of mega-events such as the 1851 Crystal Palace Expo, the 1936 Berlin Olympics and the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, Maurice Roche investigates the impact Expos and Olympics have had on national identities, on the marking of public time and space, and on visions of national citizenship and international society in modern times.
Historical chapters deal with the production of Expos by power elites, their impacts on mass culture, and the political uses and abuses of international sport and Olympic events. Chapters also deal with the impact of Olympics on cities, the growth of Olympics as 'media events' and the current crisis of the Olympic movement in world politics and culture.

Frist published in 1997, this book aims to answer if European 'post-national' citizenship provide a practical opening and a conceptual challenge to cope with the diverse and close-circuiting crises of national European social models? What then might a new sphere of European social inclusion look like? This book also provided the first attempt to go well beyond 'national gridlock'. Old solutions will no longer do. Is new land in sight? With monetary integration almost implemented this is a highly relevant exploration of a central complementary 'common currency' in Europe's future.

This is a work of social theory and philosophy which seeks to make the constitution of social theory a social activity. It is essentially a collaborative text, by five authors, committed to a re-awakening of some of the forgotten dimensions of social theorizing. The collaborative work was originally occasioned by an attempt to analyse the notion of social stratification and its treatment in the sociological tradition. The authors main concern here is with the nature of social theorizing, and in particular the difference between Self and Other, being and beings, Language and Speech. The papers in the book focus on themes that are fundamental to the sense of inquiry and tradition which they are concerned to display. The themes discussed include speech, Language, Identity, Difference, Critical Tradition, Community, Metaphor, Dialectics, Observing and Reading."

This book looks at two 'revolutions' in philosophy - phenomenology and conceptual analysis which have been influential in sociology and psychology. It discusses humanistic psychiatry and sociological approaches to the specific area of mental illness, which counter the ultimately reductionist implications of Freudian psycho-analytic theory. The book, originally published in 1973, concludes by stating the broad underlying themes of the two forms of humanistic philosophy and indicating how they relate to the problems of theory and method in sociology.

The spectacle of major cultural and sporting events can preoccupy modern societies. This book is concerned with contemporary mega-events, like the Olympics and Expos. Using a sociological perspective Roche argues that mega-events reflect the major social changes which now influence our societies, particularly in the West, and that these amount to a new 'second phase' of the modernization process. Changes are particularly visible in the media, urban and global locational aspects of mega-events. Thus he suggests that contemporary mega-events, both in their achievements and their vulnerabilities, reflect, in the media sphere, the rise of the internet; in the urban sphere, de-industrialisation and the growing ecological crisis; and in the global sphere, the relative decline of the West and the rise of China and other 'emerging' countries. -- .

The sociology of Europe is a growing and diverse field. This book addresses it in a direct, wide ranging and up-to-date way. Exploring the Sociology of Europe: * clearly maps this new and emerging field * challenges and renews the sociological analysis of European modernity * provides an understanding of Europe as an historical, social and civil complex * develops and applies new interpretations of the key sociological themes of globalization, citizenship and cosmopolitanism to contemporary European society This is a discerning and relevant book providing an informed analysis of European society which identifies and defines contemporary issues and engages with key social theoretical perspectives. Covering the substantive historical sociological aspects of Europe (Part 1), the historical and comparative sociology of the nation-state (Part 2), and the comparative sociology of welfare capitalism (Part 3) Maurice Roche sets out a clear and effective framework for understanding the sociology of Europe. The book will be of interest to all students, researchers and academics involved in studying, teaching and researching the expanding field of modern European society.