Social Movements and Symbolic Power: Radicalism, Reform, and the Trial of Democracy in France

The important theories of Pierre Bourdieu and Alain Touraine, discussed in this book, seek to explain and resolve the "crisis of democracy." They start from a critique of structural inequality in political, economic and social fields - so much in contrast to democratic principles. But their theoretical perspectives and social conclusions diverge. Bourdieu insists on the radical overthrow of dominant institutions and their control of knowledge ("symbolic power"). Touraine advocates reformist cooperation as well as contestation between social movements and political institutions. Their different approaches provide compelling insights into the "democratic deficit" of modern society, that is, inability to overcome the widespread discrimination affecting women, the weaknesses of the environmental movement, persisting educational inequalities and the precarious nature of work in a global economy. The 'social Fracture' Of Modern Societies, Divided Between Dominant Elites And Subordinate Citizens, Is Central To The Critique Of Alain Touraine ('social Movements') And Pierre Bourdieu ('symbolic Power'). Both Insist That Structural Inequalities In Social, Economic And Political Fields Are At The Heart Of The Democratic Malaise. Indeed, Widespread Inequality At Work, In Educational Opportunities And Access To Social Goods Contradicts The Founding Principles Of Liberty, Equality And Fraternity. Touraine And Bourdieu Differ, However, In Their Theoretical And Practical Conclusions. Touraine Is Reformist, Advocating Cooperation As Well As Contestation In Relations Between Social Movements (such As Trade Unions, Environmentalists And Feminists) And Political Institutions. Bourdieu, On The Contrary, Is Radical, Insisting On The Overthrown Of Dominant Structures Of Society, Which Not Only Physically Enforce Elite Rule, But By The Subtle Diffusion Of 'symbolic Power' - Whereby The Dominated Internalise Ruling Ideas - Ensure That Subordinate Classes Contribute To Their Own Domination. Rather Than Emphasising Conflict Between Radicalism And Reformism, John Girling Sees Them As Complementary: Each Needing The Other To Be Effective. The Mobilising Force Of Social Movements Requires The Inspirational Goals Of (transformed) Symbolic Power, Which Are Not In The Service Of Dominant Structures, But Are Universal Values Worth Striving For. It Is In This Way The The 'democratic Deficit' Of Modern Societies - Constrained Between The Imperatives Of The Global Economy And The Disillusionment Of Citizens - Can Best Be Overcome.--jacket. 1. Social Critique: Discrimination And Inequality -- 2. Touraine And Bourdieu: Two Perspectives -- 3. Social Change: Radicalism Or Reform -- 4. Rights Of Women: A Case Study -- 5. Conclusion -- App. Structure/action Theories Of Bourdieu, Touraine, Giddens And Archer: A Comparison. John Girling. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 157-161) And Index. The 'social fracture' of modern societies, divided between dominant elites and subordinate citizens, is central to the critique of Alain Touraine ('social movements') and Pierre Bourdieu ('symbolic power'). Both insist that structural inequalities in social, economic and political fields are at the heart of the democratic malaise. Indeed, widespread inequality at work, in educational opportunities and access to social goods contradicts the founding principles of liberty, equality and fraternity. Touraine and Bourdieu differ, however, in their theoretical and practical conclusions. Touraine is reformist, advocating cooperation as well as contestation in relations between social movements (such as trade unions, environmentalists and feminists) and political institutions. Bourdieu, on the contrary, is radical, insisting on the overthrow of dominant structures of society, which not only physically enforce elite rule, but by the subtle diffusion of 'symbolic power' - whereby the dominated internalise ruling ideas - ensure that subordinate classes contribute to their own domination. Rather than emphasising conflict between radicalism and reformism, John Girling sees them as complementary: each needing the other to be effective. The mobilising force of social movements requires the inspirational goals of (transformed) symbolic power, which are not in the service of dominant structures, but are universal values worth striving for. It is in this way that the 'democratic deficit' of modern societies - constrained between the imperatives of the global economy and the disillusionment of citizens - can best be overcome Cover......Page 1 Contents......Page 6 Acknowledgements......Page 8 Introduction......Page 10 1 Social Critique: Discrimination and Inequality......Page 22 2 Touraine and Bourdieu: Two Perspectives......Page 40 3 Social Change: Radicalism or Reform......Page 62 4 The Rights of Women: a Case Study......Page 92 5 Conclusion......Page 144 Appendix: Structure/Action Theories of Bourdieu, Touraine, Giddens and Archer: a Comparison......Page 158 Bibliography......Page 166 Index......Page 172