The contemporary world is one of contingency and risk. We face a range of social and political problems barely imaginable to previous generations. Here the technique of critical social theory is applied to some of the most challenging social and political questions of our time. 'Critical Turns in Critical Theory' brings together a diverse range of scholars to discuss a number of issues facing civil society at a regional and global level in recent years. The book explores new theories, critiques, analyses and practices to address debates about risk, responsibility, ethics, communication, the environment, science and technology, gender, identity, development and law. Loosely based on the seminal work of the critical social theorist Piet Strydom, 'Critical Turns in Critical Theory' offers a set of perspectives and critiques that reshape some traditional concepts of critical social theory and challenge the liberal consensus which dominates contemporary civil society.
Author(s): SA©amus A“ Tuama
Series: International Library of Political Studies 39
Publisher: Tauris Academic Studies
Year: 2009
Language: English
Pages: 289
Contents......Page 8
Acknowledgements......Page 10
Introduction......Page 12
Notes on Contributors......Page 38
1. A Theory of Cognitive Frames for Critical Sociology -- Piet Strydom......Page 44
2. An Ethic of Responsability: Some Critical Reflections -- Catherine Brennan......Page 68
3. The Reconstruction of Sociological Learning Theory: Cognitive Sociology, Normativity, and discursivity -- Patrick O'Mahony......Page 88
4. Rational Action, Communicative Action, and the Narrative Structure of Social Life -- Klaus Eder......Page 106
5. The Significance of Global Ethics for Critical Social Theory -- Gerard Delanty......Page 124
6. Rational Actors and Paradigm Warriors: Revisiting and Gendering Social Movement Theories -- Louise Ryan......Page 140
7. Linking Knowledge, Communication, and Social Learning: Critical Theory's Immanent Critique of Capitalism's Administrative State -- Tracey Skillington......Page 162
8. Rights, Recognition and Contingency: Opening a Discussion on a Right to Have Rights -- Séamus Ó Tuama......Page 184
9. Modelling 'Triple Contingency' -- Loet Leydesdorff......Page 208
10. Environmental Responsability and the Public Sphere in Latin America -- José Mauricio Domingues and Andrea Coutinho Pontual......Page 212
11. Sustainable Development and Responsible Governance in Ireland: Communication in the 'Shadow of Hierarchy' -- Gerard Mullally......Page 232
12. The Calling of a New Critical Theory: Self-Development, Inclusion of the Other and Planetary Realizations -- Ananta Kumar Giri......Page 256
Index......Page 274
