The Drama of Social Life

JC Alexander

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English

Polity Press
05 May 2017

Society & Social Sciences; Cultural studies; Sociology

In this book Jeffrey Alexander develops the view that cultural sociology and cultural pragmatics are vital for understanding the structural turbulence and political possibilities of contemporary social life.

Central to Alexander's approach is a new model of social performance that combines elements from both the theatrical avant-garde and modern social theory. He uses this model to shed new light on a wide range of social actors, movements, and events, demonstrating through striking empirical examples the drama of social life. Producing successful dramas determines the outcome of social movements and provides the keys to political power. Modernity has neither eliminated aura nor suppressed authenticity; on the contrary, they are available to social actors who can perform them in compelling ways.

This volume further consolidates Alexander's reputation as one of the most original social thinkers of our time. It will be of great interest to students and scholars in sociology and cultural studies as well as throughout the social sciences and humanities.

By: JC Alexander
Imprint: Polity Press
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 227mm, Width: 153mm, Spine: 16mm
Weight: 316g
ISBN: 9781509518135
ISBN 10: 1509518134
Pages: 180
Publication Date: 05 May 2017
Audience: College/higher education , Professional and scholarly , Primary , Undergraduate
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Preface and Acknowledgements Introduction: A New Theory of Modernity from Ritual to Performance 1. Seizing the Stage: Mao, MLK, and Black Lives Matter Today 2. Revolutionary Performance in Egypt: The 2011 Uprising 3. Political Performance in the U.S.: Obama s 2012 Re-Election 4. Dramatic Intellectuals 5. Social Theory and the Theatrical Avant-Guard Notes

Jeffrey C. Alexander is the Lillian Chavenson Saden Professor of Sociology at Yale University and Co-Director of the Center for Cultural Sociology at Yale.

Reviews for The Drama of Social Life

Jeffrey Alexander's <i>The Drama of Social Life</i> reveals the ability this essential American social theorist to unpack and explain the dynamic dramas of large-scale change. Ranging from Tahir Square to the Black Lives Matter movement to the Obama White House, Alexander connects these world-shaking political events to their essential performative qualities, a core feature of modernity. There are some books that are designed to be read and others demand to be read and discussed. This collection of linked essays is the latter. <b> Gary Alan Fine, Northwestern University