Late Modernity in Crisis

Andreas Reckwitz and Hartmut Rosa provide social theories that analyze modernity as a social formation and aim to diagnose the crises of the present. This book examines the value and limits of their theories and demonstrates the importance of bold social theory for understanding modern societies.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 18 May 2023
Publisher: John Wiley and Sons Ltd

In the face of entrenched social upheaval and numerous crises, we require social theory that possesses the capacity to examine the broader landscape, analyze the intricate developmental characteristics of modern societies, their structural frameworks, and dynamics, and suggest potential solutions to the challenges we confront. Over the past few decades, two German sociologists, Andreas Reckwitz and Hartmut Rosa, have dedicated themselves to developing comprehensive social theories that align with this vision. While their theories may diverge in certain aspects, they share a common belief that the study of modernity as a social formation should remain central to sociology, and that the theory of society should ultimately serve as a tool for diagnosing the crises of our time.

In this insightful book, Andreas Reckwitz and Hartmut Rosa collaborate to explore the significance and boundaries of a theory of society in the contemporary era. They offer lucid and concise explanations of their respective theories of society, elucidate their key concepts, such as singularization in Reckwitz's perspective and acceleration and "resonance" in Rosa's approach. Furthermore, they extend the implications of their theories to shed light on the diverse crises we currently face. The outcome is a remarkable work that serves as both an excellent introduction to the profound insights of two of the most influential sociologists of our time and a compelling testament to the value of the bold social theory that they advocate.

Through their collaborative efforts, Reckwitz and Rosa demonstrate the importance of a comprehensive and forward-thinking social theory that can effectively navigate the complexities of modern societies. Their theories provide valuable insights into the forces shaping our world, and they offer practical solutions for addressing the challenges we face. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the dynamics of contemporary society and exploring innovative approaches to address the crises we confront.

Weight: 336g
Dimension: 152 x 229 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781509556304