The New Political Sociology : Power, Ideology and Identity in an Age of Complexity

The 21st century has witnessed a fundamental transformation of political institutions and society, alongside cultural, global and complexity turns in social theory. This provocative text gives an overview of key issues, argues for an 'existential turn' in political sociology and brings the study of politics and society up to date. The fall of the Berlin Wall, the emergence of a global terrorist threat, the growing strength of global political institutions, movements and networks, the political integration of Europe and the emergence of regional trading blocs -€the€last decade€has€seen a fundamental transformation of political institutions and the social environments in which they operate.€It has€also witnessed€ongoing challenges to traditional€theoretical€debates€in the form of cultural, global and complexity 'turns' in social and political theory. € This timely and€provacative text updates€political sociology for the 21st century.€ Providing a comprehensive and critical€overview, €it examines€how theoretical 'turns' have€impacted upon key political developments and controversies.€ Further, Graham Taylor argues the case for an 'existential turn' in political sociology which€best captures the€ways in which complex global power relations are lived and experienced. € This is an essential guide for students seeking a thorough€understanding of the workings of€politics and society in the new millennium.€ € € The fall of the Berlin Wall, the emergence of a global terrorist threat, the growing strength of global political institutions, movements and networks, the political integration of Europe and the emergence of regional trading blocs - the last decade has seen a fundamental transformation of political institutions and the social environments in which they operate. It has also witnessed ongoing challenges to traditional theoretical debates in the form of cultural, global and complexity 'turns' in social and political theory. This timely and provacative text updates political sociology for the 21st century. Providing a comprehensive and critical overview, it examines how theoretical 'turns' have impacted upon key political developments and controversies. Further, Graham Taylor argues the case for an 'existential turn' in political sociology which best captures the ways in which complex global power relations are lived and experienced. This is an essential guide for students seeking a thorough understanding of the workings of politics and society in the new millennium. The 21st Century Has Witnessed A Fundamental Transformation Of Political Institutions And Society. This Provocative Text Gives An Overview Of Key Issues, Arguing For An 'existential Turn' In Political Sociology. Introduction : The Contours Of Social And Political Complexity -- Political Sociology In An Age Of Complexity -- Complex Powers : Beyond The Panopticon? -- The End Of The Nation State? The Disarticulation Of Power And Identity -- Glocalized Identities : Political Culture Between Place And Space -- Networks Of Resistance : Global Complexity And The Politics Of New Social Movements -- Networks Of Terror : Globalization, Fundamentalism And Political Violence -- Complex Citizenships : Between Universalism And Particularism? -- Global Civil Society? The Prospects For Cosmocracy -- Conclusion : Towards An 'existential Turn' In Political Sociology -- Glossary Graham Taylor. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Front Matter....Pages i-viii Introduction: The Contours of Social and Political Complexity....Pages 1-12 Political Sociology in an Age of Complexity....Pages 13-33 Complex Powers: Beyond the Panopticon?....Pages 34-54 The End of the Nation State? The Disarticulation of Power and Identity....Pages 55-79 Glocalized Identities: Political Culture between Place and Space....Pages 80-102 Networks of Resistance: Global Complexity and the Politics of New Social Movements....Pages 103-125 Networks of Terror: Globalization, Fundamentalism and Political Violence....Pages 126-147 Complex Citizenships: Between Universalism and Particularism?....Pages 148-171 Global Civil Society? The Prospects for Cosmocracy....Pages 172-194 Conclusion: Towards an ‘Existential Turn’ in Political Sociology....Pages 195-198 Back Matter....Pages 199-234 Acknowledgements vi List of Abbreviations vii 1 Introduction: The Contours of Social and Political Complexity 1 2 Political Sociology in an Age of Complexity 13 3 Complex Powers: Beyond the Panopticon? 34 4 The End of the Nation State? The Disarticulation of Power and Identity 55 5 Glocalized Identities: Political Culture between Place and Space 80 6 Networks of Resistance: Global Complexity and the Politics of New Social Movements 103 7 Networks of Terror: Globalization, Fundamentalism and Political Violence 126 8 Complex Citizenships: Between Universalism and Particularism? 148 9 Global Civil Society? The Prospects for Cosmocracy 172 10 Conclusion: Towards an 'Existential Turn' in Political Sociology 195 Glossary 199 Bibliography 201 Index 223