The Blackwell Companion to Social Theory (Blackwell Companions to Sociology) - Tapa dura

"This is an unrivalled collection of essays on social theory from the classical to the postmodern period. It keeps one up to date without abandoning the foundational issues that tie society, politics, culture, gender, and race. Each contributor has fashioned a remarkably responsible account of the topic at hand along with invaluable bibliographic guides." - John O'Neill, York University, Toronto "The striking motif of this revised reader-friendly companion is Bryan Turner's welcome dismissal of 'decorative theory' - that is cultural theory which has become an end in itself. He urges a return to historical and comparative studies reflected by new chapters on social anthropology and the body." - Ray Pahl, University of Kent

The Blackwell Companion to Social Theory, Second Edition, builds on the success of the highly regarded first edition by adding four completely new chapters on the foundations of social theory, anthropology, phenomenology, and sociology of the body. Retained material from the first edition has been revised, extended, and updated, and coverage of feminism expanded into two chapters on second-wave feminism and contemporary feminist theory.The book guides the student and scholar through the vast array of approaches and frameworks that shape contemporary analysis of social reality. The principal focus is on post-classical modern social theory, but while major post-classical thinkers such as Habermas, Foucault and Derrida are examined, they appear within the context of a classical tradition developed by figures such as Parsons, Goffman and Elias. Organized by themes rather than theorists, 18 essays by the world's leading social theorists provide insights to the traditions of classical social thought as well as the major debates and developments in contemporary social theory. Extensive bibliographies, meanwhile, provide a guide to the current literature.