The Politics of Psychoanalysis: An Introduction to Freudian and Post-Freudian Theory - Hardcover

Frosh, Stephen

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0333763432 ISBN 13: 9780333763438

Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan, 1999

Synopsis

Psychoanalysis has had a profound influence on 20th-century thought in a wide variety of areas, from psychology and psychiatry to sociology, literature, feminism and politics. Most importantly, it offers insights into the relationship between individual subjectivity and social relations, making it a key discipline for understanding the links between social phenomena and personal experience. First published in 1987, this text offers an introduction to psychoanalytic theory from the point of view of its relevance for social relations. For this second edition, the book has been thoroughly revised, with updated accounts of the theories covered in the first edition, plus new material on contemporary feminist psychoanalytic work and on the engagement of psychoanalysis with postmodernism. The result is a book that combines an introduction to theory with an examination of the value of psychoanalysis for therapeutic and social practice.

About this title

Review

'A lucid introduction to theory with a radical examination of the value of psychoanalysis for therapeutic and social practice.' - The Times Higher Education Supplement

'...by far the best book that has ever been written on the subject. It is subtle and intelligent, clear and fair. And it is genuinely an introduction to Freudian and post-Freudian theory, an introduction with the political analysis actually integrated into the discussion of fundamental concepts.' - Contemporary Psychology

'...a work of considerable scholarship.' - Times Higher Education Supplement

'...an impressive achievement...Its analysis of the social implications of psychoanalysis is powerful, subtle and comprehensive, and this book should be required reading for all students of the subject.' - Clinical Psychology Forum

'The Politics of Psychoanalysis provides a scholarly, rich, orienting, and provocative guide through the maze of current social and political commentary which Frosh integrates with psychoanalytic theory.' - International Journal of Psychoanalysis

'...informative and useful about the post-Freudian approaches...The book will be useful for social workers who wish to become better informed about the internal psychoanalytical debate concerning key issues of human nature and relationships...' - British Journal of Social Work

'I would heartily recommend this book to anybody interested in personality development.' - Social Work Today

From the Back Cover

Psychoanalysis has had a profound influence on twentieth-century thought in a wide variety of areas, from psychology and psychiatry to sociology, literature, feminism and politics. Most importantly, it offers insights into the relationship between individual subjectivity and social relations, making it a key discipline for understanding the links between social phenomena and personal experience.

Since its first publication in 1987, The Politics of Psychoanalysis has been widely recognised as one of the best introductions to psychoanalytic theory from the point of view of its relevance for social relations. As well as describing Freud's work, it examines the basic assumptions and social implications of a broad spectrum of post-Freudian psychoanalytic thought, especially object relations, Kleinian and Lacanian theory. Feminist and critical psychoanalytic approaches are explored, along with questions of psychoanalytic practice andd its implications for social and personal change.

For this second edition, the book has been thoroughly revised, with updated accounts of the theories covered in the first edition, plus new material on contemporary feminist psychoanalytic work and on the engagement of psychoanalysis with postmodernism. The result is a book that combines a lucid introduction to theory with a radical examination of the value of psychoanalysis for therapeutic and social practice.

Edition details

• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
• Publication date: 1999
• ISBN 10: 0333763432
• ISBN 13: 9780333763438
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 352