European University Institute Library

The Giddens reader, edited by Philip Cassell

eng

Includes bibliographical references (pages 343-345) and index

illustrations

index present

non fiction

The Giddens reader

bibliography

28914206

edited by Philip Cassell

"The Giddens Reader contains a comprehensive selection of extracts from the works of the pre-eminent social theorist, Anthony Giddens. A wide range of important theoretical issues are covered, including Giddens' encounter with the writings of Marx, Durkheim, Weber, Parsons and Foucault. The Reader also presents elaborations of Giddens' own innovative approach to the fundamental questions of social theory. His views on power, time-space and the relationship between action and structure are well represented, as are his illuminating analyses of the "late modern age."" "The readings are set out in such a way as to demonstrate the connections between Giddens' various writings - the uninitiated are thus presented with a framework to enable them to go on to read the complete texts with a knowledge of their position in the greater scheme of his work - and are of sufficient length to allow the reader to experience an extended and integrated line of argument and articulation of ideas. The readings are prefaced by an informative and straightforward introduction by the editor."--, Provided by publisher

Introduction / Philip Cassell -- The Giddens Reader -- The problem of order -- Time, space and social theory -- The modernity question -- I. Encounters With the Classical Traditions -- Critical interpretations of Marx -- The political context of Max Weber's sociology -- Durkheim's political sociology -- Marx, Weber and capitalism -- II. Problems of Action and Structure -- Social theory and the question of action -- The production and reproduction of social life -- The concept of structure -- Structure, action, reproduction -- Lay knowledge and technical concepts -- Structuration theory and empirical research -- III. Time and Space -- Time-space, structure, system -- Time-space distanciation -- Analysing social change -- The production of everyday life -- IV. Domination and Power -- Parsons on power -- Critique of Foucault -- Class structuration -- Class and power -- Administrative power and the nation-state -- The nation-state and military power -- V. The Nature of Modernity -- A 'discontinuist' approach -- Dynamic tendencies of modernity -- Trust and risk in social life -- Modernity and self-identity -- Love and sexuality -- VI. Critical Theory -- Max Weber on facts and values -- Critical theory without guarantees -- Utopian realism -- Emancipatory and life politics