Presents an examination of the dynamics of class relations. This work covers topics that include the impact of social and economic policy on class; wealth and prospects for the working poor; undocumented workers and their exploitation in the US informal economy; race and class struggles post-Hurricane Katrina; and more.
'This book shows that manners, far from being superficial adornments of behaviour, are thoroughly interwoven with our personalities and the structures of our societies. The concept of 'informalization' provides both an invaluable addition to Norbert Elias's theory of civilizing processes and a most useful tool for understanding how changes in manners are related to shifts in the balances of power between social classes, sexes, and generations' - Johan Goudsblom, University of Amsterdam 'Informalization supplants and surpasses all previous work on the changing manners and emotional styles of the West in the last century. Wouters helps us to understand trends in Britain and the USA gains from Wouters comparing them not just with each other, but also with Germany and the Netherlands' - Stephen Mennell, University College Dublin 'Cas Wouters stakes out a powerful theory about changes in human relationships in the Western world over the past twelve decades...essential reading for anyone interested in the contemporary human condition' - Theory and Society 'It is written in clear, unequivocal language, abounds with detail and replaces many normative statements about the alienating state of contemporary , capitalist, mass-consumption-oriented bureaucracy. ..A nuanced, subtle and theoretically informed analysis of the sometimes quite chaotic civilising process of the last century' - Figurations This highly original book explains the sweeping changes to twentieth-century regimes of manners and self. Broad in scope and deep in analytic reach, it provides a wealth of empirical evidence to demonstrate how changes in the code of manners and emotions in four countries (Germany, Netherlands, England and the US) have undergone increasing informalization. From the growing taboo toward the displays of superiority and inferiority and diminishing social and psychicogical distance between people, it reveals an 'emancipation of emotions' and the new representation of emotion at the centre of personality. This thought-provoking book traces: " The increasing permissiveness in public and private manners, such as introductions, the use of personal pronouns, social kissing, dancing, and dating " The ascent and integration of a wide variety of groups - including the working classes, women, youth and immigrants - and the sweeping changes this has imposed on relations of social inferiority and superiority " The shifts in self-regulation that require manners to seem 'natural', at ease and authentic " Rising external social constraints towards being reflexive, showing presence of mind, considerateness, role-taking, and the ability to tolerate and control conflicts, to compromise " Growing interdependence and social integration, declining power differences and the diminishing social and psychic distance between people Continuing the analysis of Sex and Manners, this book is a dazzling work of historical sociology and a fascinating read.
Traditionally class has been the key concept for understanding society, enabling analysts to interpret social conflict and predict the course of social development. Critics argue that it is too crude and incapable of handling the nuances of the new identity politics. Jan Pakulski and Malcolm Waters take the radical position within the current debates that class is a purely historical phenomenon. This stimulating book argues that concentration on class actually diverts attention from other more central and more morally problematic inequalities. The class perspective has become a political straitjacket which obstructs an accurate understanding of contemporary social, cultural and political processes.
Stratification and Mobility in Post-Industrial Societies
This study aims to provide the key to understanding the new class structure of post-industrial societies with their changing processes of social stratification and mobility. The treatment is interdisciplinary, connecting issues of welfare, stratification and political economy. The contributors draw together comparative research on the dynamics of social stratification in several advanced societies to develop a framework for the analysis of post-industrial class formation. The central importance of the institutional bases of individual countries - welfare states, labour markets and education systems - for understanding social stratification is demonstrated. The interface between welfare state and household and between gender and class is shown to be critically significant. Individual case studies of Canada, Germany, Norway, Sweden, UK and USA examine the differing application of these ideas in individual welfare states. This text is intended for students and academics in sociology and comparative politics, professionals, academics and students in politics, social policy and social welfare.
Talk of politics in the United States today is abuzz with warring red and blue factions. The message is that Americans are split due to deeply-held beliefs-over abortion, gay marriage, stem-cell research, prayer in public schools. Is this cultural divide a myth, the product of elite partisans? Or is the split real? Yes, argue authors Mark Brewer and Jeffrey Stonecash-the cultural divisions are real. Yet they tell only half the story. Differences in income and economic opportunity also fuel division-a split along class lines. Cultural issues have not displaced class issues, as many believe. Split shows that both divisions coexist meaning that levels of taxation and the quality of healthcare matter just as much as the debate over the right to life versus the right to choose. The authors offer balanced, objective analysis, complete with a wealth of data-rich figures and tables, to explain the social trends underlying these class and cultural divides and then explore the response of the parties and voters. Offering solid empirical evidence, the authors show that how politicians, the media, and interest groups perceive citizen preferences-be they cultural or class based-determines whether or not the public gets what it wants. Simply put, each set of issues creates political conflict and debate that produce very different policies and laws. With a lively and highly readable narrative, students at every level will appreciate the brevity and punch of Split and come away with a more nuanced understanding of the divisions that drive the current American polity.
The study of social divisions has dominated research within the social sciences since the nineteenth century. Early stratification categories of class, race, and gender, have in more recent years been joined by issues such as sexuality and disability. Understanding Social Divisions addresses the full range of social divisions in one volume while ......
The study of social divisions has dominated research within the social sciences since the nineteenth century. Early stratification categories of class, race, and gender, have in more recent years been joined by issues such as sexuality and disability. Understanding Social Divisions addresses the full range of social divisions in one volume while ......
This invaluable compendium offers guidance, support and advice for those contemplating or involved in ac ademic careers. The contributors provide rich, personal and often humerous accounts of shared and unique experiences in the world of academia. '
Dhan Gopal Mukerji (1890-1936) holds the distinction of being the first South Asian immigrant to have a successful career in the United States as a man of letters. As the author of two dozen published volumes of poetry, drama, fiction, social commentary, philosophy, translations and children's stories, Mukerji was a pivotal figure in the ......
