The Drama of Social Life

Jeffrey C. Alexander (University of California, Los Angeles)

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Hardback

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English

Polity Press
05 May 2017

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: Jeffrey C. Alexander (University of California Los Angeles)
Imprint: Polity Press
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 229mm, Width: 155mm, Spine: 20mm
Weight: 476g
ISBN: 9781509518128
ISBN 10: 1509518126
Pages: 180
Publication Date: 05 May 2017
Audience: College/higher education , Professional and scholarly , Primary , Undergraduate
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

Jeffrey C. Alexander is the Lillian Chavenson Saden Professor of Sociology at Yale University and a 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