Culture & [and] power : the sociology of Pierre Bourdieu

Pierre Bourdieu is one of the world's most important social theorists and is also one of the great empirical researchers in contemporary sociology. However, reading Bourdieu can be difficult for those not familiar with the French cultural context, and until now a comprehensive introduction to Bourdieu's oeuvre has not been available. David Swartz focuses on a central theme in Bourdieu's work—the complex relationship between culture and power—and explains that sociology for Bourdieu is a mode of political intervention. Swartz clarifies Bourdieu's difficult concepts, noting where they have been misinterpreted by critics and where they have fallen short in resolving important analytical issues. The book also shows how Bourdieu has synthesized his theory of practices and symbolic power from Durkheim, Marx, and Weber, and how his work was influenced by Sartre, Levi-Strauss, and Althusser. Culture and Power is the first book to offer both a sympathetic and critical examination of Bourdieu's work and it will be invaluable to social scientists as well as to a broader audience in the humanities. Pierre Bourdieu Is One Of The World's Most Important Social Theorists And Is Also One Of The Great Empirical Researchers In Contemporary Sociology. However, Reading Bourdieu Can Be Difficult For Those Not Familiar With The French Cultural Context, And Until Now A Comprehensive Introduction To Bourdieu's Oeuvre Has Not Been Available. David Swartz Focuses On A Central Theme In Bourdieu's Work--the Complex Relationship Between Culture And Power--and Explains That Sociology For Bourdieu Is A Mode Of Political Intervention. Swartz Clarifies Bourdieu's Difficult Concepts, Noting Where They Have Been Misinterpreted By Critics And Where They Have Fallen Short In Resolving Important Analytical Issues. The Book Also Shows How Bourdieu Has Synthesized His Theory Of Practices And Symbolic Power From Durkheim, Marx, And Weber, And How His Work Was Influenced By Sartre, Levi-strauss, And Althusser. -- Publisher Description. 1. Introducing Pierre Bourdieu -- 2. Career And Formative Intellectual Influences -- 3. Bourdieu's Metatheory Of Sociological Knowledge -- 4. Bourdieu's Political Economy Of Symbolic Power -- 5. Habitus: A Cultural Theory Of Action -- 6. Fields Of Struggle For Power -- 7. Social Classes And The Struggle For Power -- 8. Education, Culture, And Social Inequality -- 9. Intellectuals And Intellectual Fields -- 10. The Scientific Intellectual And Politics -- 11. The Struggle For Objectivity: Bourdieu's Call For Reflexive Sociology -- 12. Conclusion. David Swartz. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 297-317) And Indexes. Pierre Bourdieu is one of the world's most important social theorists and is also one of the great empirical researchers in contemporary sociology. However, reading Bourdieu can be difficult for those not familiar with the French cultural context, and until now a comprehensive introduction to Bourdieu's oeuvre has not been available.David Swartz focuses on a central theme in Bourdieu's work -- the complex relationship between culture and power -- and explains that sociology for Bourdieu is a mode of political intervention. Swartz clarifies Bourdieu's difficult concepts, noting where they have been misinterpreted by critics and where they have fallen short in resolving important analytical issues. The book also shows how Bourdieu has synthesized his theory of practices and symbolic power from Durkheim, Marx, and Weber, and how his work was influenced by Sartre, Levi-Strauss, and Althusser.Culture and Power is the first book to offer both a sympathetic and critical examination of Bourdieu's work, and it will be invaluable to social scientists as well as to a broader audience in the humanities. A study of the social theorist Pierre Bourdieu's work, this work focuses on a central theme, the complex relationship between culture and power, and explains that sociology for Bourdieu is a mode of political intervention. The book aims to clarify Bourdieu's concepts and correct misinterpretations. Culture provides the very grounds for human communication and interaction; it is also a source of domination.