Social Theory and the Politics of Identity

Social Theory And The Politics Of Identity / Craig Calhoun -- Reclaiming The Epistemological Other : Narrative And The Social Constitution Of Identity / Margaret R. Somers And Gloria D. Gibson -- Dark Thoughts About The Self / Charles Lemert -- The Politics Of Identity In American History / Norbert Wiley -- From Universality To Difference : Notes On The Fragmentation Of The Idea Of The Left / Todd Gitlin -- The Formation Of We-images : A Process Theory / Stephen Mennell -- Identity Theory, Identity Politics : Psychoanalysis, Marxism, Post-structuralism / Eli Zaretsky -- Malcolm X And The Black Public Sphere V. Culturalists / Manthia Diawara -- The New Urban Color Line : The State And Fate Of The Ghetto In Postfordian America / Loïc J.d. Wacquant -- Emotions And Identity : A Theory Of Ethnic Nationalism / Thomas Scheff -- Nationalism And Civil Society : Democracy, Diversity And Self-determination / Craig Calhoun. Edited By Craig Calhoun. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. The new social movements of the post-war era have brought to prominence the idea that identity can be a crucial focus for political struggle. The civil rights movement, anti-colonial movements in the Third World, the women's movement, the gay movement - all have sought the affirmation of excluded identities as publicly good and politically salient. The rise of identity politics is also linked to an increasing recognition that social theory itself must be a discourse with many voices. An increasingly transnational sphere of public and academic discourse - and increasing roles for women, gay men and lesbians, people of color, and various previously excluded groups - impels all social theorists not only to make sense of differences in the "world-out-there", but to make sense of differences within the discourse of theory. This collective volume is the product of that conviction.

New social movements of the post-war era have brought to prominence the idea that identity can be a crucial focus for political struggle. Linked to an increasing recognition that social theory itself must put the politics of identity on center stage, this volume impels social theorists not only to make sense of the world out there, but also to make sense of differences within the discourse of theory.

aeo Political identity is becoming the key issue within social and cultural theory at the centurya s end. aeoThis groundbreaking volume is an excellent introduction to the debates around identity politics.