Sociology in Post-Normal Times argues that the modern project of creating normalcy within the nation state has broken down due to globalization, and that sociology must be left behind to create a new global humanity beyond nation states to ensure human survival in the face of the pandemic and climate change.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 314 pages
Publication date: 15 March 2024
Publisher: Lexington Books

The Covid-19 pandemic and climate change have brought about significant disruptions in our world, leading to a new era known as post-normal times. In his book Sociology in Post-Normal Times, Charles Thorpe argues that the traditional project of creating normalcy within the nation-state has failed, and sociology, as the science of social reform, must adapt to this new reality. Thorpe draws on the work of seminal theorists such as Zygmunt Bauman and Anthony Giddens to argue that globalization has rendered the concept of "society" obsolete, and that sociology's assumptions and goals must be left behind in order to create a new global humanity. In the face of the pandemic and climate change, Sociology in Post-Normal Times calls for the birth of a global humanity beyond nation-states as a prerequisite for human survival.

The Covid-19 Pandemic and Climate Change: Features of Post-Normal Times

The Covid-19 pandemic and climate change have brought about significant disruptions in our world, leading to a new era known as post-normal times. In his book Sociology in Post-Normal Times, Charles Thorpe argues that the traditional project of creating normalcy within the nation-state has failed, and sociology, as the science of social reform, must adapt to this new reality. Thorpe draws on the work of seminal theorists such as Zygmunt Bauman and Anthony Giddens to argue that globalization has rendered the concept of "society" obsolete, and that sociology's assumptions and goals must be left behind in order to create a new global humanity. In the face of the pandemic and climate change, Sociology in Post-Normal Times calls for the birth of a global humanity beyond nation-states as a prerequisite for human survival.

The Modern Project of Creating Normalcy within the Nation-State

Charles Thorpe contends that the modern project of creating normalcy within the nation-state has broken down. Integral to this is sociology, which is the science of social reform. Drawing from the work of seminal theorists such as Zygmunt Bauman and Anthony Giddens, Thorpe contends that sociology's "society" is no longer viable because globalization has put an end to social reform, thus the assumptions and goals of sociology must be left behind in order to create a new global humanity. In the face of the pandemic and climate change, Sociology in Post-Normal Times demands no less than the birth of a global humanity beyond nation-states as the precondition for human survival.

Globalization and the End of Social Reform

Thorpe argues that globalization has put an end to social reform. This is because globalization has led to the fragmentation of societies, the loss of social cohesion, and the emergence of new forms of inequality. As a result, sociology's assumptions and goals must be left behind in order to create a new global humanity. Thorpe draws on the work of Zygmunt Bauman to argue that globalization has created a "society" that is characterized by a lack of social bonds, a sense of dislocation, and a lack of meaning. In the face of the pandemic and climate change, Sociology in Post-Normal Times demands no less than the birth of a global humanity beyond nation-states as the precondition for human survival.

The Birth of a Global Humanity Beyond Nation-States

In the face of the pandemic and climate change, Sociology in Post-Normal Times demands the birth of a global humanity beyond nation-states as the precondition for human survival. Thorpe argues that this new humanity must be characterized by a sense of belonging, a sense of purpose, and a sense of responsibility. He suggests that this can be achieved through the development of a new global social contract that recognizes the interconnectedness of all human beings and the need for collective action to address the challenges of the 21st century. Thorpe also emphasizes the importance of education and training in order to develop the skills and knowledge necessary for individuals to contribute to the creation of a new global humanity.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Covid-19 pandemic and climate change have brought about significant disruptions in our world, leading to a new era known as post-normal times. In his book Sociology in Post-Normal Times, Charles Thorpe argues that the traditional project of creating normalcy within the nation-state has failed, and sociology, as the science of social reform, must adapt to this new reality. Thorpe draws on the work of seminal theorists such as Zygmunt Bauman and Anthony Giddens to argue that globalization has rendered the concept of "society" obsolete, and that sociology's assumptions and goals must be left behind in order to create a new global humanity. In the face of the pandemic and climate change, Sociology in Post-Normal Times calls for the birth of a global humanity beyond nation-states as the precondition for human survival.

Weight: 478g
Dimension: 151 x 229 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781793625991