Most of us are taught from a young age to be winners and avoid being losers. But what does it mean to win or lose? And why do we care so much? Does winning make us happy? Winning undertakes an unprecedented investigation of winning and losing in American society, what we are really after as we struggle to win, our collective beliefs about winners and losers, and much more. Francesco Duina argues that victory and loss are not endpoints or final destinations but gateways to something of immense importance to us: the affirmation of our place in the world. But Duina also shows that competition is unlikely to provide us with the answers we need. Winning and losing are artificial and logically flawed concepts that put us at odds with the world around us and, ultimately, ourselves. Duina explores the social and psychological effects of the language of competition in American culture. Primarily concerned with our shared obsessions about winning and losing, Winning proposes a new mind-set for how we can pursue our dreams, and, in a more satisfying way, find our proper place in the world.

About the Author
Francesco Duina is professor and head of sociology at the University of British Columbia and visiting professor in the Department of Business and Politics at the Copenhagen Business School. He is the author of The Social Construction of Free Trade (Princeton), Institutions and the Economy, and Harmonizing Europe.

Reviews
One of Choice's Significant University Press Titles for Undergraduates for 2010-2011 "Using a good mix of sociological theory, psychological data, headliners, and anecdotes, Duina makes an excellent start at understanding this big issue and providing groundwork for additional explorations of the US's search for 'indefinite perfectibility'. The descriptions of Americans' pursuit of and beliefs regarding winning will make many blush with self-recognition. Duina's excellent new perspective on chasing the American dream offers much to reflect on."--Choice "Linguistically inquiring, sociologically penetrative, and culturally fascinating, Duina's book is part self-help manual, part critical inquiry into the American psyche, and wholly an essential guide to a misunderstood obsession."--Journal of American Studies "This book is important because it poses the question how much competition we really need in rich nations, with high levels of economic and cultural productivity. The answer to this question is relevant in discussions about the role of governments and about the optimal levels of liberalization or regulation of markets. Duina's suggestions to moderate and redirect competition by changing the American mind-set are valuable."--Jan Ott, Journal of Happiness Studies "Duina effectively explores the sociological embeddedness of competition from which winning and losing arise... The issues that are introduced have great interest for those teaching within social psychology or practicing within consulting psychology."--Richard Ackley and Lee Derryberry, PsycCRITIQUES "Winning is an important contribution to our current understanding and theorising about the individual and societal drive to compete... Winning is a valuable offering to all of us as we navigate competition, winning and losing in our own lives--and strive to assist those in our charge ... who also must come to grips with them."--Andrew J. Martin, Australian Review of Public Affairs


Awards
Short-listed for Choice Magazine Outstanding Reference/Academic Book Award 2011.



Book Information
ISBN 9780691159645
Author Francesco Duina
Format Paperback
Page Count 256
Imprint Princeton University Press
Publisher Princeton University Press
Weight(grams) 340g