Blackwell Guide to Social Theory (Second Edition)

Author: (British) Turner
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Features: This is the second edition of the Blackwell Guide to Social Theory. Building on the success of the widely acclaimed previous edition, it adds four new chapters introducing the foundations of social theory, anthropology, phenomenology, and the sociology of the body. The chapters retained from the previous edition have also been revised, expanded, and updated. The coverage of feminist theory has been increased to two chapters, adding content on second-wave feminism and contemporary feminist subjectivity theory. The book is organized around theoretical themes rather than schools, featuring 18 articles written by leading social theorists worldwide. It offers profound insights into both major debates and developments in contemporary social theory, as well as the traditions of classic social thought. The extensive bibliography also serves as a guide to current research literature. It is an excellent choice for social theory, spanning from the classical era to the modern period. It allows readers to stay abreast of the latest trends while remaining committed to the fundamental issues that tie together society, politics, culture, gender, and race. Each author has meticulously provided a highly reliable exposition of the topics discussed, along with invaluable bibliographical guidance. This revised edition is particularly welcoming to readers, adhering to a clear theme—Brian Turner commendably refutes the stereotype of "ornamental theory," which has degenerated into a cultural theory that exists for its own sake. He urges us to return to historical and comparative research as exemplified in the new chapters on social anthropology and the body.