The Contemporary Bauman [Hardcover]

This text covers Baumans contribution to sociology and social theory. This ideal teaching text analyzes Bauman's shift from a sociology of postmodernity to liquid modernity, and provides a critical assessment of the contemporary Bauman, appraising his novel theory of liquid modernity in terms of its implications for self-identity, interpersonal relationships, culture, communications, and the broad-ranging institutional transformations associated with globalization.

In addition to various extracts from Bauman's work, the book also contains a spirited reply from Zygmunt Bauman to both his sympathetic and unsympathetic critics. Bauman concludes by providing a new perspectives on his theory of liquid modernity, its differentiation from the modernity/postmodernity debate and its relation to current developments in contemporary social theory.

Editors Introduction Anthony Elliott.  Critique: Privatised and Disarmed Zygmunt Bauman  Part 1: Liquid Modernity.  On Being Light and Liquid Zygmunt Bauman.  From Heavy to Light Modernity Zygmunt Bauman  1. The Theory of Liquid Modernity: A Critique of Bauman's Recent Sociology Anthony Elliott  2. From Postmodernity to Liquid Modernity: Whats in a Metaphor? Larry Ray  3. Baumans Irony Keith Tester  Part 2: Liquid Love.  Falling in and out of Love Zygmunt Bauman.  On Living in a Liquid Modern World Zygmunt Bauman  4. Gender and Sexualities in Liquid Modernity Ann Branaman  5. Relatively Liquid Interpersonal Relationships in Flexible Work Life Poul Poder  6. Liquid Love: Psychoanalysing Mania Janet Sayers