Lauren Langman – författare

This book examines alienation from both a sociological and psychoanalytic perspective, revisiting classic treatments of the topic (Marx, Simmel, Weber) and exploring its relevance to understanding post-modern consumer society. It examines the escapist potentials for good and for ill in modern society - those fostered by commercial interests, and those maintained by individuals and groups as their form of resisting alienation.

This book examines alienation from both a sociological and psychoanalytic perspective, revisiting classic treatments of the topic (Marx, Simmel, Weber) and exploring its relevance to understanding post-modern consumer society. It examines the escapist potentials for good and for ill in modern society - those fostered by commercial interests, and those maintained by individuals and groups as their form of resisting alienation.

The Evolution of Alienation: Trauma, Promise and the Millennium presents a collection of essays that examine the prevalence of alienation in the contemporary world. Although the authors share a critical approach to society, their views of alienation vary. While some feel that alienation is inescapable under the conditions of late modernity, others see that especially at this time there are opportunities to overcome alienation. Testing their approaches, the authors touch on highly diverse domains of life. The book is divided into four sections, each with a focus on how alienation is produced and, perhaps, overcome. Part I presents theoretical approaches to 'shifting views of alienation'. Here the authors discuss how alienation is disclosed in social science, in technology, and in biological constructions of the human being. Part II deals with political consequences of alienation. The three chapters focus on how alienation can lead to fascist beliefs, how it functions in the development of authoritarian personalities, and how alienation is disclosed in teen-age violence, but also in the justice meted out to desperate teens, without compassion. Part III includes examinations of 'alienation in identity, culture, and religion'. Here, researchers discuss how the alienating conditions of globalization create alienated identities that are carnivalized in shock music and in exploitative television shows. The last chapter of this section sees in these developments evidence of our inability or unwillingness as social scientists to deal with transcendental values. Part IV focuses on phenomena from everyday life, showing how alienation undermines the advantages of community, and the intimacies of dialogue. Although the very concern with alienation shows awareness of trauma, there are, throughout the book, hints of promise - in technology, in loving and creative domesticity, in activism and through grass-roots initiatives in education. Through an interest in the cosmos human being may yet discover the way out of alienating labyrinths.

The Evolution of Alienation: Trauma, Promise and the Millennium presents a collection of essays that examine the prevalence of alienation in the contemporary world. Although the authors share a critical approach to society, their views of alienation vary. While some feel that alienation is inescapable under the conditions of late modernity, others see that especially at this time there are opportunities to overcome alienation. Testing their approaches, the authors touch on highly diverse domains of life. The book is divided into four sections, each with a focus on how alienation is produced and, perhaps, overcome. Part I presents theoretical approaches to 'shifting views of alienation'. Here the authors discuss how alienation is disclosed in social science, in technology, and in biological constructions of the human being. Part II deals with political consequences of alienation. The three chapters focus on how alienation can lead to fascist beliefs, how it functions in the development of authoritarian personalities, and how alienation is disclosed in teen-age violence, but also in the justice meted out to desperate teens, without compassion. Part III includes examinations of 'alienation in identity, culture, and religion'. Here, researchers discuss how the alienating conditions of globalization create alienated identities that are carnivalized in shock music and in exploitative television shows. The last chapter of this section sees in these developments evidence of our inability or unwillingness as social scientists to deal with transcendental values. Part IV focuses on phenomena from everyday life, showing how alienation undermines the advantages of community, and the intimacies of dialogue. Although the very concern with alienation shows awareness of trauma, there are, throughout the book, hints of promise - in technology, in loving and creative domesticity, in activism and through grass-roots initiatives in education. Through an interest in the cosmos human being may yet discover the way out of alienating labyrinths.

Building critically from the work of Erich Fromm, who argued that societies based on class domination foster aggressive personalities and normalize pathology, this unique book envisions spiritual‑intellectual‑emotional unity to promote a living experience of fulfilling and productive social relations.Visions of a Sane Society posits that the familiar left‑versus‑right political spectrum concept is long‑outdated and that the political and cultural battles of today are between those who support a common humanity and shared prosperity, and those who seek self‑aggrandizement and personal gratification. Based on contemporary research and psychodynamic theory, this work develops Fromm’s concept of the sane society to show the adverse emotional and intellectual consequences of alienated labor lead to authoritarianism and consumerism and that, in order to save the world from fascism and ecosystem collapse, the progressive side must succeed to unite diverse activist groups, overthrow the old hierarchies, and establish a society with ideals of democracy and equality. Fromm’s vision of a postcapitalist society would necessarily overcome the alienation inherent to capitalism, requiring not simply a change in the economic system through a humanistic socialism, but a fundamental change in the very nature of social character, which would be an egalitarian democratic society of caring, sharing, of people living in harmony with each other, and with Nature.This book is an important and vital resource for students and instructors in sociology, social theory, political sociology, social psychology, and political science, as well as activists, organizers, and community workers who want to understand contemporary social dynamics and the way toward a healthy and sustainable society for all.

Building critically from the work of Erich Fromm, who argued that societies based on class domination foster aggressive personalities and normalize pathology, this unique book envisions spiritual‑intellectual‑emotional unity to promote a living experience of fulfilling and productive social relations.Visions of a Sane Society posits that the familiar left‑versus‑right political spectrum concept is long‑outdated and that the political and cultural battles of today are between those who support a common humanity and shared prosperity, and those who seek self‑aggrandizement and personal gratification. Based on contemporary research and psychodynamic theory, this work develops Fromm’s concept of the sane society to show the adverse emotional and intellectual consequences of alienated labor lead to authoritarianism and consumerism and that, in order to save the world from fascism and ecosystem collapse, the progressive side must succeed to unite diverse activist groups, overthrow the old hierarchies, and establish a society with ideals of democracy and equality. Fromm’s vision of a postcapitalist society would necessarily overcome the alienation inherent to capitalism, requiring not simply a change in the economic system through a humanistic socialism, but a fundamental change in the very nature of social character, which would be an egalitarian democratic society of caring, sharing, of people living in harmony with each other, and with Nature.This book is an important and vital resource for students and instructors in sociology, social theory, political sociology, social psychology, and political science, as well as activists, organizers, and community workers who want to understand contemporary social dynamics and the way toward a healthy and sustainable society for all.

*THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER*Looking for a comprehensive, fun and effective guide to training your new puppy or dog? Look no further than the puppy training manual from the founders of Absolute Dogs! Written by Dr Tom Mitchell, world-renowned vet and clinical animal behaviourist, and Lauren Langman, one of the UK's most successful dog trainers and Crufts winner, Game On, Puppy! leads you through everything you need to know about training your dog using their unique games-based approach, all backed up by the latest science. Targeting the why behind your dog's behaviour rather than suppressing the symptoms, Game On, Puppy! covers: the basics: toilet training, sleep and travelnext level: socialising, recall, walks and being home aloneconcept training: games to build alone-time confidence, optimism and reduce reactivityBetween them, Tom and Lauren have helped thousands upon thousands of dog owners overcome their dog-owning struggles and achieve long-term results, so whether you're a first-time dog owner or a seasoned pro, this positive and playful approach is the ultimate resource to help your dog thrive.

Twenty-First Century Inequality & Capitalism: Piketty, Marx and Beyond begins with economist Thomas Piketty s 2014 book. Most chapters critique Piketty from the perspective of critical theory, global political economy or public sociology, drawing on the work of Marx or the Marxist tradition. The contributors focus on elements that are under-theorized or omitted entirely from Piketty's analysis. The collection seeks to fully understand and suggest action to address today's capitalist inequality crisis.

From a small group of devout Puritan settlers, the USA ultimately became the richest, most powerful Empire in the history of the world. Yet it is now in a process of implosion and decay. This book, inspired by Frankfurt School Critical Theory, offers a unique historical, cultural and characterological analysis of American national character and its underlying psychodynamics.