Critical visions : new directions in social theory / Anthony Elliott.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Elliott, Anthony, 1964-

Series:

Legacies of social thought

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Social sciences--Philosophy.

Social sciences.

Physical Description:

xv, 221 pages ; 23 cm.

Place of Publication:

Lanham : Rowman & Littlefield, [2003]

Summary:

This remarkable book develops a wide-ranging analysis of key issues and debates in contemporary social theory. Drawing social theory, cultural studies, and psychoanalysis together in a bold configuration, Elliott challenges the widespread view that social theory seems to have lost its way as a result of the diversification of conceptual approaches. In outlining an approach that places imagination and creativity at the center of social theory, Elliott argues that theoretical pluralism--from post-structuralism to postmodernism, from psychoanalysis to deconstruction--represents not the demise, but the renewal of critical social theory.

Contents:

Introduction: Interdisciplinary Studies and the Fortunes of Sociology 1

Part 1 Interventions in Contemporary Social Theory

1 Risk and Reflexivity: Ulrich Beck 19

2 Social Theory and Politics in the Writings of Anthony Giddens 43

3 Jacques Lacan as Social Theorist 62

4 Subjectivity, Culture, Autonomy: Cornelius Castoriadis 82

5 Habermas, Kristeva, and Global Transformations in the Public Sphere 105

Part 2 Central Issues in Contemporary Social Theory

6 Sexualities: Social Theory and the Crisis of Identity 133

7 The Reinvention of Citizenship 151

8 Politics and Social Theory 166

9 Social Theory, Morality, and Ethics 183.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 197-207) and index.

ISBN:

0742526895

0742526909

OCLC:

51290298