Postmodernity USA

Anthony Woodiwiss is Senior Lecturer in the Department of Sociology at the University of Essex. His previous books include Social Theory After Postmodernism, Rights versus Conspiracy: A Sociological Essay on the Development of Labour Law in the United States and Law, Labour and Society in Japan: From Repression to Reluctant Recognition.

`This book has two functions, it is intended as both an account of modern American development focussing on the late 1960s, and also a polemic on the state of modern sociology. Woodiwiss argues that postmodern theory is essentially bereft in foundational terms but does seem to have some interesting things to say about modern America as a corporist state.... The author covers a substantial range of material including setting up a modified Marxist class theory and a fresh image of social mobility... a very well-written and entertaining blend of critical theory and history. Much more of this kind of analysis is to be welcomed′ - American Studies

• IntroductionPART ONE: FINDING SOCIAL MODERNISMNew Deal FigurationsThe Society that Would be ModernA Modernizing DiscourseSocial Modernism and Class RelationsPART TWO: FORGETTING SOCIAL MODERNISMThe Return of the ReferentsThe Vietnam War, Protest and Class RelationsThe Discourse of ForgetfulnessSocial (Post)modernism and Class RelationsConclusion