Rethinking Comparative Cultural Sociology: Repertoires of Evaluation in France and the United States (Cambridge Cultural Social Studies)

This book provides a powerful theoretical framework for understanding cross-national cultural differences. Focusing on France and America, it analyses how the people of these two different cultures mobilise national 'repertoires of evaluation' to make judgements about politics, economics, morals and aesthetics. The analysis draws on eight case studies by eleven French and American researchers who have worked together over a number of years to develop systematic comparisons between these countries. The topics are wide-ranging, comparing how individuals use the cultural tools at their disposal to answer questions such as: are races equal? What constitutes sexual harassment? What is the value of contemporary art? Should journalists be neutral? How can the defense of the environment be reconciled with economic imperatives? Moving beyond simplistic essentialist models of national character, this comparative approach offers important insights that will interest not only sociologists but also political scientists and anthropologists. Introduction : Toward A Renewed Comparative Cultural Sociology / Michèle Lamont And Laurent Thévenot -- The Rhetorics Of Racism And Anti-racism In France And The United States / Michèle Lamont -- Sexual Harassment In France And The United States : Activists And Public Figures Defend Their Definitions / Abigail Cope Saguy -- Assessing The Literary : Intellectual Boundaries In French And American Literary Studies / Jason Duell -- Culture Or Commerce? Symbolic Boundaries In French And American Book Publishing / Daniel Weber -- Involvement And Detachment Among French And American Journalists : To Be Or Not To Be A Real Professional / Cyril Lemieux And John Schmalzbauer -- From Rejection Of Contemporary Art To Culture War / Nathalie Heinich -- Community And Civic Culture : The Rotary Club In France And The United States / Agnès Camus-vigué -- Forms Of Valuing Nature : Arguments And Modes Of Justification In French And American Environmental Disputes / Laurent Thévenot, Michael Moody And Claudette Lafaye -- Comparing Models Of Strategy, Interests, And The Public Good In French And American Environmental Disputes / Michael Moody And Laurent Thévenot -- Conclusion : Exploring The French And The American Polity / Laurent Thévenot And Michèle Lamont. Edited By Michèle Lamont And Laurent Thévenot. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 328-366) And Index. This book provides a powerful new theoretical framework for understanding cross-national cultural differences. Researchers from France and America present eight comparative case studies to demonstrate how the people of these two different cultures mobilize national "repertoires of evaluation" to make judgments about politics, economics, morals and aesthetics. This approach goes beyond essentialist models of national character to compare varying attitudes on topics ranging from racism and sexual harrassment to identity politics, publishing, journalism, the arts and the environment. The book will appeal to sociologists, political scientists and anthropologists alike. This work provides a new theoretical framework for understanding cross-national cultural differences. Focusing on France and America, it analyses how the people of these two different cultures make judgements about politics, economics and morals