Hardback
C. Wright Mills and the Sociological Imagination
Contemporary Perspectives
9781782540021 Edward Elgar Publishing
C. Wright Mills is one of the towering figures in contemporary sociology and his writings continue to be of great relevance to the social science community. Generations of sociology students have enjoyed learning about the discipline from reading his best known book The Sociological Imagination. Over the years the title has become a term in itself with a variety of interpretations, many far removed from the original. The chapters in Part One of this book begins with general issues around the nature and significance of the sociological imagination, continue through discussions of modes of theorising and historical explanation, the relationship between history and biography, and the intellectual and political relationship of Mills to Marxism. They conclude with considerations on issues of class, power, and warfare. Part Two of the book includes a series of reflections from scholars who were invited to give personal thoughts on the impact of Mills’s writings in their sociological work, with particular attention to their own ‘biography and history’.
More Information
Critical Acclaim
Contributors
Contents
More Information
C. Wright Mills is one of the towering figures in contemporary sociology and his writings continue to be of great relevance to the social science community. Generations of sociology students have enjoyed learning about the discipline from reading his best known book The Sociological Imagination. Over the years the title has become a term in itself with a variety of interpretations, many far removed from the original. The chapters in Part One of this book begins with general issues around the nature and significance of the sociological imagination, continue through discussions of modes of theorising and historical explanation, the relationship between history and biography, and the intellectual and political relationship of Mills to Marxism. They conclude with considerations on issues of class, power, and warfare. Part Two of the book includes a series of reflections from scholars who were invited to give personal thoughts on the impact of Mills’s writings in their sociological work, with particular attention to their own ‘biography and history’.
With renowned international contributors and expert contributions from a range of specialisms, this book will appeal to academics, students and researchers of sociology.
With renowned international contributors and expert contributions from a range of specialisms, this book will appeal to academics, students and researchers of sociology.
Critical Acclaim
''What this collection offers more than anything is the opportunity to adopt Mills’ thought as a spur to action – as a way of being a sociologist... particularly in environments where sociology is increasingly under threat.''
– LSE Review of Books
– LSE Review of Books
Contributors
Contributors: D. Bertaux, J. Brannen, J.D. Brewer, O. Brox, K. Kumar, K. Mills, L. Mjøset, M. Newman, A. Nilsen, O.J. Olsen, J. Platt, M. Savage, J. Scott, A.J. Treviño
Contents
Contents:
Foreword
Kathryn Mills
Introduction: Mills Today
Ann Nilsen and John Scott
PART I: THE INTELLECTUAL LEGACY
1. The Sociological Imagination, ‘On Intellectual Craftsmanship’, and Mills’s Influence on Research Methods
Jennifer Platt
2. C. Wright Mills and the Necessity of History
Krishan Kumar
3. The Fate of The Sociological Imagination: Mills, Social Science and Contemporary Sociology
Lars Mjøset
4. Contextualising Lives: The History–Biography Dynamic Revisited
Ann Nilsen and Julia Brannen
5. Mills, Miliband and Marxism
Michael Newman
6. C. Wright Mills and the Contemporary Challenge of Biographical Methods
Mike Savage
7. Class, Elites and Power: A Contemporary Perspective
John Scott
8. Access to Power Resources and Increase of the Symbolic Body
Daniel Bertaux
9. C. Wright Mills on War and Peace
John D. Brewer
PART II: REFLECTIONS AND ENCOUNTERS
Kathryn Mills: War and Peace, Civil Rights and Gender: A Few Reflections About My Father
John Scott: Encountering the Sociological Imagination
A. Javier Treviño: C. Wright Mills as Designer, Craftsman and Stylist
Ottar Brox: What C. Wright Mills Can Teach Us Today
John D. Brewer: The Sociological Imagination and Public Sociology
Ole Johnny Olsen: Learning From an Early Encounter with The Power Elite
Ann Nilsen: Encounters with Pragmatism
Index
Foreword
Kathryn Mills
Introduction: Mills Today
Ann Nilsen and John Scott
PART I: THE INTELLECTUAL LEGACY
1. The Sociological Imagination, ‘On Intellectual Craftsmanship’, and Mills’s Influence on Research Methods
Jennifer Platt
2. C. Wright Mills and the Necessity of History
Krishan Kumar
3. The Fate of The Sociological Imagination: Mills, Social Science and Contemporary Sociology
Lars Mjøset
4. Contextualising Lives: The History–Biography Dynamic Revisited
Ann Nilsen and Julia Brannen
5. Mills, Miliband and Marxism
Michael Newman
6. C. Wright Mills and the Contemporary Challenge of Biographical Methods
Mike Savage
7. Class, Elites and Power: A Contemporary Perspective
John Scott
8. Access to Power Resources and Increase of the Symbolic Body
Daniel Bertaux
9. C. Wright Mills on War and Peace
John D. Brewer
PART II: REFLECTIONS AND ENCOUNTERS
Kathryn Mills: War and Peace, Civil Rights and Gender: A Few Reflections About My Father
John Scott: Encountering the Sociological Imagination
A. Javier Treviño: C. Wright Mills as Designer, Craftsman and Stylist
Ottar Brox: What C. Wright Mills Can Teach Us Today
John D. Brewer: The Sociological Imagination and Public Sociology
Ole Johnny Olsen: Learning From an Early Encounter with The Power Elite
Ann Nilsen: Encounters with Pragmatism
Index
