Seeing Politics Differently
A Brief Introduction to Political Sociology
Published on 1. March 2012
Book
Paperback/Softback
240 pages
978-0-19-543785-0 (ISBN)
Description
Engaging and innovative, Seeing Politics Differently: A Brief Introduction to Political Sociology provides students with a concise introduction to political sociology-the study of how power is distributed within society-with a particular focus on the Canadian context. Using a unique approach designed to help students to understand theory as it applies to familiar topics such as wealth, cultural status, and institutions, Seeing Politics Differently examines the way that power is created, maintained, and challenged not just within government but in schools, homes, workplaces, the community-even how we see others as well as ourselves. Offering an accessible discussion of key works and perspectives within the discipline, with reference to contemporary examples throughout, the authors make a persuasive case for the importance of cultivating the ability to critically assess who is permitted to hold power in our world, and on what basis.
Reviews / Votes
"A convincing and accessible account of politics. . . . The extensive references to Canadian material and authors is extremely welcome and addresses a very important absence in the Canadian context."--Jose Julian Lopez, University of Ottawa
"The text is clear and accessible. . . . Discussions of difficult subjects such as 'power' are nuanced yet boiled down to an understandable level for undergraduates, without being dull."
--Gerry Coulter, Bishop's University
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Toronto
Canada
Target group
College/higher education
Students enrolled in third- or fourth-year undergraduate political sociology courses offered out of sociology departments in colleges or universities.
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Illustrations
9 figures; 9 tables
Dimensions
Height: 226 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 13 mm
Weight
295 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-543785-0 (9780195437850)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Karen Stanbridge is associate professor of sociology at the Memorial University of Newfoundland. She has completed works that explore the impact of national and international political institutions on British and French colonial policies, on British treatment of Catholics in Ireland and Quebec in the eighteenth century, and on the post-World War I Aland Islands secessionist movement.
Howard Ramos is the acting graduate coordinator and associate professor of sociology and social anthropology at Dalhousie University. He is a political sociologist who examines contemporary issues of social justice. He has published on Canadian Aboriginal mobilization, transnational human rights, immigration, and identity.
Howard Ramos is the acting graduate coordinator and associate professor of sociology and social anthropology at Dalhousie University. He is a political sociologist who examines contemporary issues of social justice. He has published on Canadian Aboriginal mobilization, transnational human rights, immigration, and identity.
Content
TABLE OF CONTENTS; PREFACE; ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS; 1. INTRODUCTION; INTRODUCTION; POWER: EXERCISING IT; RESISTING IT; POWER AS A PROCESS; CLASS; STATUS; PARTY; OUTLINE OF BOOK; SUMMARY; CRITICAL THINKING QUESTIONS; ANNOTATED FURTHER READINGS; WEBSITES OF KEY ORGANIZATIONS; 2. MATERIALISM; INTRODUCTION; MATERIALISM AND CLASS; THE ORIGINAL MATERIALIST: KARL MARX (1818-1883); MATERIALISM AFTER MARX; MATERIALISM AND DEVELOPMENT; MATERIALISM AND THE STATE; MATERIALISM AND RESISTANCE; MATERIALISM AND CONTEMPORARY INEQUALITIES; SUMMARY; CRITICAL THINKING QUESTIONS; ANNOTATED FURTHER READINGS; WEBSITES OF KEY ORGANIZATIONS; 3. CULTURAL AND SOCIAL STATUS; INTRODUCTION; WEBER: THE ORIGINAL CRITIC OF MARX; HEGEMONY AND THE CULTURE INDUSTRY; MANUFACTURING CONSENT; CULTURAL AND SOCIAL CAPITAL; CULTURAL AND SOCIAL CAPITAL IN ACTION; SOCIAL CAPITAL AND SOCIAL NETWORKS; PRESENTATION OF SELF; HOW THE CULTURAL AND SOCIAL BECOME 'CAPITAL'; COLLECTIVE IDENTITY AND CHALLENGES TO POWER; POST-COLONIALISM AND NATIONALISM; SUMMARY; CRITICAL THINKING QUESTIONS; ANNOTATED FURTHER READINGS; WEBSITES OF KEY ORGANIZATIONS; 4. INSTITUTIONS; INTRODUCTION; INSTITUTIONS; THE STATE; BUREAUCRACY AND INSTITUTIONAL INERTIA; THE NEW INSTITUTIONALISM; THE STATE AND VIOLENCE; PARTY POWER AND INSTITUTIONS; STATE INSTITUTIONS AND CLAIMS TO CITIZENSHIP; POLITICAL OPPORTUNITIES AND POLITICAL PROCESS THEORY (PPT); SUMMARY; CRITICAL THINKING QUESTIONS; ANNOTATED FURTHER READINGS; WEBSITES OF KEY ORGANIZATIONS; 5. EMERGING TRENDS IN POLITICAL SOCIOLOGY; INTRODUCTION; SOCIAL FORCES AND THE ASSUMPTIONS OF SOCIOLOGISTS; WHO-OR WHAT-IS A SOCIAL ACTOR?; GLOBALISATION?; CHALLENGES TO CITIZENSHIP; EMPIRE; IS A NEW WORLD POSSIBLE?; TRANSNATIONALISM; SUMMARY; CRITICAL THINKING QUESTIONS; ANNOTATED FURTHER READINGS; WEBSITES OF KEY ORGANIZATIONS; 6. CONCLUSIONS; INTRODUCTION; POLITICAL SOCIOLOGY IS..; REMIND ME AGAIN WHERE THE STATE FITS IN; POLITICAL SOCIOLOGY CAN ENHANCE YOUR SOCIAL LITERACY; BUT WHERE DO I START?; SUMMARY; CRITICAL THINKING QUESTIONS; ANNOTATED FURTHER READINGS; WEBSITES OF KEY ORGANIZATIONS; GLOSSARY; REFERENCES; INDEX