Sociology and the Public Agenda (American Sociological Association Presidential Series)

Sociology Has Had A Long And Convoluted Relationship With The Public Policy Community. While The Field Has Historically Considered Its Mission One Of Effecting Social Change, In Recent Decades This Has Become Only A Minor Part Of The Sociological Agenda. The Editor Of This Volume, Macarthur Fellow And Former Asa President William Julius Wilson, Asserts That Sociology's Ostrich-like Stance Threatens To Leave The Discipline In A Position Of Irrelevance To The World At Large And Compromises The Support Of Policymakers, Funders, Media, And The Public. Wilson's Vision Is Of A Sociology Attuned To The Public Agenda, Influencing Public Policy Through Both Short And Long-range Analysis From A Sociological Perspective. Using A Variety Of Policy Issues, Perspectives, Methods, And Cases, The Distinguished Contributors To This Volume Both Demonstrate And Emphasize Wilson's Ideas.--book Jacket. Can Sociology Play A Greater Role In Shaping The National Agenda? / William Julius Wilson -- The Interaction Of The Sociological Agenda And Public Policy / Carol H. Weiss -- How Do Issues Get On Public Policy Agendas? / John W. Kingdon -- The Powers And The Intellectuals: Benchmark Texts And Changing Conditions / Steven Brint -- Migrants Into Citizens? Traditions Of Nationhood And Politics Of Citizenship In France And Germany / Rogers Brubaker -- Citizenship And Welfare: Social Democratic And Liberal Perspectives / J. Donald Moon -- Social Citizenship, Work, And Social Solidarity: Historical Comparisions Between Britain And Sweden / Roger Lawson -- Organizations As (secondary) Citizens / Philippe C. Schmitter -- Networks As Political Glue: Explaining Public Policy-making / David Knoke. Financial Reorganization Of American Corporations In The 1980s / Neil Fligstein And Linda Markowitz -- The Conservative Revolution That Wasn't: New Right Populism And The Preservation Of New Deal Liberalism / Anne Wortham -- How Families Manage Risk And Opportunity In Dangerous Neighborhoods / Frank F. Furstenberg, Jr. -- The Community Context Of Violent Crime / Robert J. Sampson -- The Politics Of Homelessness / Peter H. Rossi -- Inner-city Education: A Theoretical And Intervention Model / James P. Comer -- Mothers, Children, And Low-wage Work: The Ability To Earn A Family Wage / Roberta M. Spalter-roth, Heidi I. Hartmann, And Linda M. Andrews -- The French Child Welfare System: An Excellent System We Could Adopt And Afford / Barbara R. Bergmann -- Employment As A Human Right / Philip Harvey. Edited By William Julius Wilson. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.