Sociology and Critique in the Neoliberal Age

2017 | Gender Studies

In the face of the reversals of the welfare state that have been brought about as neoliberalism has taken hold and identified capitalism with modernity itself, this book explores the issues faced by contemporary sociology in articulating a critique of neoliberalism. Advancing the view that sociology needs to affirm an 'intrinsic normative valence' if it is to tackle the distortion of emancipatory values in market terms, Sociology and Critique in a Neoliberal Age constitutes an intervention into theoretical debates in contemporary sociology and critical theory, which demonstrates that sociology can describe disciplinary norms in order to affirm itself as a way of looking at the modern world and its potentials. An investigation into the difficulties that have been encountered in determining a critically oriented sociology in a number of research areas, this volume explores the fields of economic sociology, political sociology, contemporary intimacies, therapy culture and feminism, with a view to understanding why sociology has struggled to offer an effective normative critique of neoliberalism, and what is required in order for it to do so.

As such, it will appeal to scholars and students of sociology and social theory, politics, cultural studies and feminist thought.

Pauline Johnson (Author)