An Age of Limits : Social Theory for the 21st Century

An Age of Limits outlines a new social theory for understanding contemporary society. Providing an analysis of why political, economic and cultural powers face constraints across the global North and beyond, this bold book argues that forces which address current challenges must confront the limits of the interplay between dominant institutions. In this ambitious and bold book, Ralph Schroeder develops a new social theory centred on the notion of limits. The current era, from the 1970s onwards, has seen a departure from the three defining trends of the modern age: the struggle for social citizenship rights, the disembedding of markets, and the transformation of nature. Based on a comparative-historical analysis, the book argues that there are now similar constraints on social development throughout the global North and beyond. These constraints include the waning of conflicts driving the extension and deepening of rights, the instability of increasing financialization, and the progressive lack of control over the exploitation of natural resources. The key challenge for social theory therefore lies in identifying the cleavages between the dominant political, economic and cultural powers, and countervailing forces that can potentially overcome them. The book explores several advanced Western democracies in depth, as well as China and India. It will fundamentally challenge our theoretical understanding of contemporary societies and their dynamics In This Ambitious And Bold Book, Ralph Schroeder Develops A New Social Theory Centred On The Notion Of Limits. The Current Era, From The 1970s Onwards, Has Seen A Departure From The Three Defining Trends Of The Modern Age: The Struggle For Social Citizenship Rights, The Disembedding Of Markets, And The Transformation Of Nature. Based On A Comparative-historical Analysis, The Book Argues That There Are Now Similar Constraints On Social Development Throughout The Global North And Beyond. These Constraints Include The Waning Of Conflicts Driving The Extension And Deepening Of Rights, The Instability Of Increasing Financialization, And The Progressive Lack Of Control Over The Exploitation Of Natural Resources. The Key Challenge For Social Theory Therefore Lies In Identifying The Cleavages Between The Dominant Political, Economic And Cultural Powers, And Countervailing Forces That Can Potentially Overcome Them. The Book Explores Several Advanced Western Democracies In Depth, As Well As China And India. It Will Fundamentally Challenge Our Theoretical Understanding Of Contemporary Societies And Their Dynamics.--publisher's Website. From The Birth Of The Modern World To The Age Of Limits -- Convergence And Divergence -- Paths Toward Pluralist Democracy: Liberal Versus Radical Interpretations -- Free And Unfree Markets -- The Paradoxes Of Science, Technology And Social Change -- The Limits To Transforming The Environment -- Three Cultures -- Modernization And The Politics Of Development -- Social Theory In The Face Of The Future. Ralph Schroeder. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Front Matter....Pages i-ix From the Birth of the Modern World to the Age of Limits....Pages 1-46 Convergence and Divergence....Pages 47-63 Paths towards Pluralist Democracy: Liberal versus Radical Interpretations....Pages 64-86 Free and Unfree Markets....Pages 87-113 The Paradoxes of Science, Technology and Social Change....Pages 114-130 The Limits to Transforming the Environment....Pages 131-147 Three Cultures....Pages 148-161 Modernization and the Politics of Development....Pages 162-193 Social Theory in the Face of the Future....Pages 194-220 Back Matter....Pages 221-257 "The reader has come to expect brilliant sociological analysis from Ralph Schroeder, and his latest book is no exception. The scope is broad and what the author promises - and also delivers! - is a theory of modern society, centered on comparative-historical analysis. Recommended reading not only for sociologists, political scientists, and economists, but also for general readers who want to experience what really good social science is like."--Richard Swedberg, Professor of Sociology, Cornell University, USA Exploring the forms and meanings of mediated politics beyond the news cycle, this book encompasses genres drawn from television, radio, the press and the internet, assessing their individual and collective contribution to contemporary political culture through textual analysis and thematic review.