Contested Knowledge: Social Theory Today - Paperback

by Steven Seidman (Author)

In the sixth edition of Contested Knowledge, social theorist Steven Seidman presents the latest topics in social theory and addresses the current shift of 'universalist theorists' to networks of clustered debates.

• Responds to current issues, debates, and new social movements
• Reviews sociological theory from a contemporary perspective
• Reveals how the universal theorist and the era of rival schools has been replaced by networks of clustered debates that are relatively 'autonomous' and interdisciplinary
• Features updates and in-depth discussions of the newest clustered debates in social theory--intimacy, postcolonial nationalism, and the concept of 'the other'
• Challenges social scientists to renew their commitment to the important moral and political role social knowledge plays in public life

Back Jacket

CONTESTED KNOWLEDGE SOCIAL THEORY TODAY

SIXTH EDITION

Praise for previous edition

"In this tour de force, Steven Seidman surveys social theory from Auguste Comte to Zygmunt Bauman via feminism, world systems theory, queer theory, post-colonialism and much more. It is not just a survey, but rather a plea for a public sociology that is relevant, committed and morally challenging. In a style of writing that is at once direct, personal and engaging, Seidman provides a penetrating overview of the state of sociology that is critical but optimistic. Contested Knowledge now in its fifth edition gets better with age." Bryan S. Turner, The City University of New York

"In his spirited defense of theory as a moral enterprise, Steven Seidman offers insightful, penetrating, critical, but always fair assessments of the theoretical contributions of a wide range of theorists past and present.... Written with an enviable clarity, in a style that is at once lucid and engaging." Peter Kivisto, Augustana College and University of Turku

In the new 6th Edition of Contested Knowledge, renowned social theorist Steven Seidman addresses the current shift of the great 'universalist theorists' represented by Habermas, Foucault, Baudrillard, and Bourdieu, to networks of clustered debates responding to issues such as citizenship, performativity, nationalism, globalization, cosmopolitanism, and queer life. Seidman focuses on discussions of three distinct clustered debates in social theory--intimacy, postcolonial nationalism, and the concept of 'the other'--and offers insights into new frontiers precipitated by the emergence of a globalized world. Amongst further revisions, this edition provides an updated case study on the rise of Postdisciplinary theory by examining the theories of Jeffrey Alexander and Nancy Fraser.

Author Biography

STEVEN SEIDMAN is Professor of Sociology at the State University of New York at Albany. He is the author and editor of a number of books including Liberalism and the Origins of European Social Theory, The Postmodern Turn, Queer Theory/Sociology, The New Social Theory Reader (with Jeffrey Alexander), and Intimacies.