Description
This evocative and broad-ranging book traces the history of moral regulation in Britain and the US from the late seventeenth century to the present day. Specific coverage is given to movements such as the Society for the Reformation of Manners and the Vice Society, the sexual abuse and anti-pornography movements, and contemporary self-help movements. Hunt argues that the main impetus for moral regulations often stems from the middle classes, rather than those with institutional power, but most significantly they provide classic instances of the intimate link between the 'governance of others' and the 'governance of the self'. Using the work of Foucault, this book analyses how projects of self-regulation can manifest themselves into the regulation of others. Concurrent with this is the rise of health discourses, which play a central role in contemporary discussions of moral governance.
This book is a broad-ranging history of moral regulation focusing on Britain and the US.
Reviews
"...a sweeping new interpretation of moral reformers that not only challenges conventional interpretations but also engages feminist history, as well as Foucauldian sensibilities, about the relation link between governance of others and governance of the self." P.C. Kemeny, Social Forces
"Governing Morals is a thoughtful and valiant effort to re-invent historical sociology drawing on a much broader range of theoretical resources than were available to Weber." Mariana Valverde, CJS Online
"This book succeeds on several levels and is well organized in its almost definitive coverage of specific periods of moral regulation efforts in Great Britain and the United States. Hunt provides a clear rationale behind the selection of each of the social movement. If the reader can maneuver around some of the excessive post-modern language, there are multitude of interesting ideas, and even some gems in this book...the book is well positioned for use in law courses as well as political science and other social science courses. Hunt provides a clear thesis that he tackles with gusto..." The Law and POlitics Book Review
Book Information
ISBN 9780521646895
Author Alan Hunt
Format Paperback
Page Count 284
Imprint Cambridge University Press
Publisher Cambridge University Press
Weight(grams) 425g
Dimensions(mm) 229mm * 154mm * 18mm
This book is a broad-ranging history of moral regulation focusing on Britain and the US.
Reviews
"...a sweeping new interpretation of moral reformers that not only challenges conventional interpretations but also engages feminist history, as well as Foucauldian sensibilities, about the relation link between governance of others and governance of the self." P.C. Kemeny, Social Forces
"Governing Morals is a thoughtful and valiant effort to re-invent historical sociology drawing on a much broader range of theoretical resources than were available to Weber." Mariana Valverde, CJS Online
"This book succeeds on several levels and is well organized in its almost definitive coverage of specific periods of moral regulation efforts in Great Britain and the United States. Hunt provides a clear rationale behind the selection of each of the social movement. If the reader can maneuver around some of the excessive post-modern language, there are multitude of interesting ideas, and even some gems in this book...the book is well positioned for use in law courses as well as political science and other social science courses. Hunt provides a clear thesis that he tackles with gusto..." The Law and POlitics Book Review
Book Information
ISBN 9780521646895
Author Alan Hunt
Format Paperback
Page Count 284
Imprint Cambridge University Press
Publisher Cambridge University Press
Weight(grams) 425g
Dimensions(mm) 229mm * 154mm * 18mm
