This text covers Bauman's contribution to sociology and social theory. This ideal teaching text analyzes Bauman's shift from a sociology of postmodernity to liquid modernity, and provides a critical assessment of the contemporary Bauman, appraising his novel theory of liquid modernity in terms of its implications for self-identity, interpersonal relationships, culture, communications, and the broad-ranging institutional transformations associated with globalization.

In addition to various extracts from Bauman's work, the book also contains a spirited reply from Zygmunt Bauman to both his sympathetic and unsympathetic critics. Bauman concludes by providing a new perspectives on his theory of liquid modernity, its differentiation from the modernity/postmodernity debate and its relation to current developments in contemporary social theory.

About the Author

Anthony Elliott is Professor of Sociology at Flinders University, Australia. His book, The New Individualism (2005), written with Charles Lemert, is also published by Routledge.

Reviews

'Undergraduates might ask if this reader should be seen as a possible entry point for newcomers who are not aware of Bauman's writings. I do believe so, simply because some of the texts found here are quite clear, especially the first two chapters.'

'Even scholars who are already familiar with Bauman's books will find some interesting prolongations of his ideas...'-Yves Laberge, Universite Laval, in Sociology, vol 44 iss 3

Book Information
ISBN 9780415409681
Author Anthony Elliott
Format Paperback
Page Count 288
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 521g