Foundations of Social Theory

Neal Harris is a Senior Lecturer in Sociology at Oxford Brookes University, UK. His most recent books include Critical Theory and Social Pathology: The Frankfurt School Beyond Recognition (Manchester University Press, 2022) and Capitalism and its Critics: Capitalism in Social and Political Theory (co-authored with Gerard Delanty, Routledge, 2022). He has taught social and political theory at the University of Sussex, University of Brighton, and Oxford Brookes University.

“This splendid book brilliantly succeeds in the difficult task of introducing social theory in a clear, comprehensive and exceptionally readable form. The author's range of references is enormously impressive.”William Outhwaite, Emeritus Professor in Sociology, University of Newcastle, UK“Neal Harris has produced a comprehensive, insightful, and original overview of the most important ideas and concepts in social theory from Marx to the present. Each chapter is meticulously researched, detailed, and accessible. The book will be of great interest to undergraduates, postgraduates, and academics in the social sciences and humanities.”Darrow Schecter, Professor of Critical Theory at the University of Sussex, Brighton, UK“Foundations of Social Theory: A Critical Introduction by Neal Harris is an excellent book which delivers exactly what the title promises - and then more. At a time when social theory, especially in its critical form, is under siege this is a very necessary book not only for students of social sciences who are beginners in social theory, but also for more established scholars. The very well presented introductory approach of Harris deals with essential thinkers, schools of thought, topics and controversies, making it a foundational read for everyone. On top of this, the particular style of thinking and writing of Harris also makes it highly valuable text for more experienced scholars – both as a challenge and as a starting point for rethinking and reassessing developed, and sometimes petrified, positions. I recommend this for all!”Heinz Sünker, Rudolf-Carnap-Senior-Professor at the Bergische Universität Wuppertal, Germany and Honorary Professor at Aarhus University, Denmark

• 1. Introduction 2. Karl Marx: Critique, Class Struggle, and Revolution 3. Émile Durkheim: Society Functions! 4. Max Weber: Meaningful Social Action 5. The Early Frankfurt School: What happened to the revolution? 6. Pierre Bourdieu: Class meets Culture 7. The Frankfurt School Today: Modernity, Communication, and Recognition 8. Gender: Theorising Patriarchy 9. Post-Structuralism and Post-Modernism: ‘It’s all so much more complicated than that!’ 10. Decolonial Social Theory: Confronting Coloniality 11. Conclusion: Key Questions