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Social Movements and Symbolic Power

Radicalism, Reform and the Trial of Democracy in France

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  • © 2004

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Authors:
  1. John Girling
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Table of contents (6 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-vii
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  2. Introduction

    • John Girling
    Pages 1-12

  3. Social Critique: Discrimination and Inequality

    • John Girling
    Pages 13-29

  4. Touraine and Bourdieu: Two Perspectives

    • John Girling
    Pages 31-51

  5. Social Change: Radicalism or Reform

    • John Girling
    Pages 53-81

  6. The Rights of Women: a Case Study

    • John Girling
    Pages 83-133

  7. Conclusion

    • John Girling
    Pages 135-147

  8. Back Matter

    Pages 149-171
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Keywords

About this book

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.

About the author

JOHN GIRLING is a Researcher at the Australian National University and has written on Southeast Asia (especially Thailand), revolution and insurgency, U.S. foreign policy towards the Third World, corruption in theory and practice, political myths and French politics and society. He has been awarded fellowships in Singapore and at Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington.

Bibliographic Information

  • Book Title: Social Movements and Symbolic Power

  • Book Subtitle: Radicalism, Reform and the Trial of Democracy in France

  • Authors: John Girling

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230000728

  • Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan London

  • eBook Packages: Palgrave Social & Cultural Studies Collection, Social Sciences (R0)

  • Copyright Information: Palgrave Macmillan, a division of Macmillan Publishers Limited 2004

  • Hardcover ISBN: 978-1-4039-3379-9Published: 29 January 2004

  • Softcover ISBN: 978-1-349-51687-2Published: 01 January 2004

  • eBook ISBN: 978-0-230-00072-8Published: 29 January 2004

  • Edition Number: 1

  • Number of Pages: VII, 171

  • Topics: Social Theory, Democracy

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