Sociological Predicament

Alexander R. Thomas is Professor of Sociology at the State University of New York at Oneonta. Having served as faculty, in administration, and more recently as executive director of a research institute, he has seen academia from a variety of angles. He is the author or coauthor of numerous books and articles, including In Gotham’s Shadow, Critical Rural Theory, and City & Country.

"In a readable and humorous style, Thomas tosses the salad of academia and challenges its establishment (to be read 'elitist') roots and tendencies. I like that because it has to be done. All institutions are being challenged for their relevance and usefulness, not the least the university and its parts."John Zogby, Senior Partner at John Zogby Strategies and author of Beyond the Horse Race: How to Read Polls and Why We Should (2024)"This book raises important issues about the current state of the social sciences, especially Sociology, and academia, in general. It also presents major observations and warnings about the state of the political Left. Historically, even before the time of Karl Marx, the Left envisioned itself as the spokespeople of ordinary citizens in opposition to elites, but Thomas charges that – especially in the last few decades – it has constituted itself, perhaps unconsciously, as a new elite. Thomas legitimately sees the culture wars as stemming from very different interests, values, sensibilities, and lifestyles, found in each class. Overwhelmingly urban and predominately coastal, most social scientists and self-proclaimed leftists can hardly envision, let alone emphasize with, the way 80% of the population, especially in the rural interior, think and feel. Accordingly, Sociology and the Left have little to offer that constituency. Hostility should more or less be expected. Thomas charges that the recent focus on identity politics has led Sociology and the Left to neglect the impact of deindustrialization and miss an opportunity to be truly relevant to the majority of the population and build alliances. People who feel ignored, patronized, and often treated with contempt become vulnerable to the appeal of Trumpism as Thomas rightfully places much of the blame for the rise of Trumpism on academia, especially the social sciences, and the Left. With penetrating insight and sharp style, this book will be an important resource for not only understanding contemporary times, but how to think through the turmoil." Yale R. Magrass, Chancellor Professor of Sociology, University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth"Thomas offers a timely critique of the discipline of Sociology, which recently has been anointed a punching bag for the Right, as exemplified by the Governor of Florida removing all Sociology courses from the general education curriculum at state colleges and universities. This book explores this dubious status in a nuanced, sometimes satirical way. Thomas does not simply punch back. He takes a clear-eyed view of the field of Sociology – what it claims to be, what it should be in this current cultural and historical period, and what promise it still holds. In fact, Thomas writes as though he is conversing with Mill’s foundational work, The Sociological Imagination, especially the first chapter, 'The Promise.' Thomas asks where the promise of Sociology stands in the 2020s. The book is reflective and philosophical about the discipline of Sociology. Thomas rises to an awkward occasion for sociologists: What is our role in academia? What do students 'get' when they pursue a degree in the field? Are sociologists even scientists? Activists? Both? Neither? He calls for a return to Sociology as a science but a reformed science that fits our current circumstances in academia and the world – a reflexive, adaptive science that acknowledges that objectivity in the social world is not attainable. I strongly recommend anyone interested in the current state of Sociology read this book."Karen Hayden, Associate Dean of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Merrimack College

• PrefaceIntroduction1. Hierarchy2. Against Sociology3. A Complex Science4. To Act or Not to Act5. The Stories We Miss6. April 19, 20227. Academic Interests8. Not Religion9. Redneck Ethnogenesis10. A Post-Pandemic SociologyEpilogueBibliography