Bauman and Contemporary Sociology: A Critical Analysis - Paperback

by Ali Rattansi (Author)

This is the first single-authored critical engagement with the major works of Zygmunt Bauman. Where previous books on Bauman have been exegetical, here an unwavering light is shone on key themes in the sociologist's work, exposing serious weaknesses in Bauman's interpretations of the Holocaust, Western modernity, consumerism, globalisation and the nature of sociology. The book shows how Eurocentrism, the neglect of issues of gender and a lack of awareness of the racism faced by Europe's non-white ethnic minorities seriously limit Bauman's analyses of Western societies. At the same time, it points to Bauman's repeated insistence on the need for sociologists to take a moral stance in favour of the world's poor and downtrodden as being his most valuable legacy. The book will be of great interest to sociologists. Its readability will be valued by undergraduates and postgraduates and it will attract a readership well beyond the discipline.

Front Jacket

The late Zygmunt Bauman is regarded by many as the greatest sociologist of the late twentieth century. This book is the first single-authored critical engagement with Bauman's most important work. Previous books on Bauman have been exegetical, but Ali Rattansi shines an unwavering critical light on key themes in Bauman's writing. He provides a compelling critique of Bauman's interpretation of the Holocaust, contemporary Western modernity, consumerism and globalisation, calling into question the cogency of Bauman's critique of conventional academic sociology. Rattansi sees Bauman's enduring legacy in his repeated insistence on the need for sociologists to take a moral stance in favour of the world's poor and downtrodden. Bauman and contemporary sociology offers an incisive and original perspective on the man and his legacy to fellow sociologists and a lucid and compelling introduction to his work for students, for academics beyond sociology and for general readers.

Back Jacket

The late Zygmunt Bauman is regarded by many as the greatest sociologist of the late twentieth century. This book is the first single-authored critical engagement with Bauman's most important work.

Previous books on Bauman have been exegetical, but Ali Rattansi shines an unwavering critical light on key themes in Bauman's writing. He provides a compelling critique of Bauman's interpretation of the Holocaust, contemporary Western modernity, consumerism and globalisation, calling into question the cogency of Bauman's critique of conventional academic sociology. Rattansi sees Bauman's enduring legacy in his repeated insistence on the need for sociologists to take a moral stance in favour of the world's poor and downtrodden.

Bauman and contemporary sociology offers an incisive and original perspective on the man and his legacy to fellow sociologists and a lucid and compelling introduction to his work for students, for academics beyond sociology and for general readers.

Author Biography

Ali Rattansi was Professor and is now Visiting Professor of Sociology at City, University of London. His many books include Marx and the Division of Labour, Postmodernism and Society and the Oxford University Press Very Short Introductions to Racism and Multiculturalism.