Public Sociology

Michael Burawoy is a professor at the University of California, Berkeley.

“Michael Burawoy has written a fascinating intellectual autobiography, reconstructing the sociological canon along the way. This is a powerful call for sociology to recover its public mission.”Edward Webster, University of the Witwatersrand“Behind Michael Burawoy’s inspirational new book lies his extraordinary experiences alongside, and research into, the  lives of workers in Zambia, Hungary, Russia, and Chicago. At each stop in his journey, he asks: What is this worker’s life like? And how could it be? This is such a welcome and important book – read it and pass it on.”Arlie Hochschild, author of Strangers in Their Own Land: Anger and Mourning on the American Right“Michael Burawoy argues for a sociology that encourages and informs critical public discussions on the preservation of our society. His illuminating personal trajectory, used as an object of analysis and placed in a wider social context, is a must-read.”William Julius Wilson, Harvard University“This is no dry textbook. It deserves a much wider readership among all of us who know that we need to extend our utopian and anti-utopian commitments.”Red Pepper“Burawoy’s Public sociology is required reading for anyone embarking or reflecting on their sociological journey and practice. Burawoy has made a career of walking where others fear to tread. The book is a worthy account of his career.”New Zealand Sociology

• List of TablesPreface Introduction – The Promise of Sociology Part One: Theory and Practice1. Theory: Utopia and Anti-Utopia2. Practice: The (Di)vision of Sociological Labor Part Two: Policy Sociology3. The Language Question in University Education4. Job Evaluation in a Racial Order Part Three: Public Sociology5. The Color of Class 6. Student Rebellion Part Four: Critical Sociology7. Race, Class and Colonialism 8. Migrant Labor and the State9. Manufacturing Consent10.  Racial Capitalism Part Five: Professional Sociology11. Advancing a Research Program12. Painting Socialism13. The Great Involution Part Six: Real Utopias14. Third-Wave Marketization 15. Whither the Public University?16. Living Theory Conclusion: Biography Meets History NotesReferencesIndex