Political Sociology: A Critical Introduction - Softcover

Faulks, Keith

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0748613560 ISBN 13: 9780748613564

Publisher: Edinburgh University Press, 1999

Synopsis

This is a major new textbook that introduces the key conceptual debates and approaches in contemporary political sociology. The power relationship between the state and civil society is introduced, and the impact of recent social changes on this relationship is explored. Important and topical issues including globalisation, the rise of new social movements, neo-liberalism, citizenship, political culture and political participation are discussed and critiques of many key sociologists such as Giddens, Beck and Etzioni are presented. It is argued that the power of the state has not been undermined to the extent that is often assumed. Instead it is shown that the context within which the state governs has been changed by the rise of more diverse and critical civil societies within liberal democracy and by the development of global risks. The overall aim of this book is to introduce the reader to the key processes that are changing the nature of politics and society in the modern world. Throughout the focus is on clarity, accessibility, and the needs of the reader: boxes and charts are used to highlight key facts and figures, and a guide to further reading is included to encourage further exploration of the subject.

About this title

Review:

"Rebels on the Air is a joyous, smart, lucid, hilarious, critical and engaging celebration of community based, non-commercial radio in the United States. Jesse Walker vividly captures the people, their visions and achievements, their friends and enemiesall in a book that is great fun to read."-Matthew Lasar, author of "Pacifica Radio: The Rise of an Alternative Network"

"Throughout "Rebels on the Air: An Alternative History of Radio in America", Walker surveys the current state of radio and finds it wanting."-"Chronicles",

"The book is a great addition to the literature of the ways in which the state uses regulatory edicts and strong-arm tactics to stifle people's freedom."-George C. Leef, "Freedom Daily"

"Present-day American radio--both public and commercial--has, with its blandness, hidden the bodies of hundreds of idealists who tried to make it meaningful and interesting and alive. Whether it's micro radio, pirate radio, the Citizens Band, or Pacifica, Jesse Walker has done his homework, digging up often funny tales of strange characters who tried, in one way or another, to better the airwaves."-Lorenzo W. Milam, author of "Sex and Broadcasting and the Radio Papers"

"Without a doubt, this is the most detailed and well-researched book ever published on the history of free radio in America. This includes the most comprehensive history ever written on the modern microradio movement; culled from personal interviews, the writing is mostly engaging and fast-paced...A must read."-"The About Guide",

About the Author:

Keith Faulks is Reader in Citizenship at the University of Central Lancashire. Author of Citizenship in Modern Britain (Edinburgh University Press, 1998), Political Sociology: A Critical Introduction (Edinburgh University Press, 2000) Citizenship: Key Ideas in Social Science (Routledge, 2000) and co-author of Get Set For Politics (with Ken Phillips and Alex Thomson) (Edinburgh University Press, 2003).

About this edition

• Publisher: Edinburgh University Press
• Publication date: 1999
• ISBN 10: 0748613560
• ISBN 13: 9780748613564
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 256