From Enlightenment to Risk: Social Theory and Contemporary Society [Paperback]

This original new book offers a comprehensive introduction to social theories and how they are applied to contemporary social problems. It charts a critical path from Max Weber, the early Frankfurt School, through to the work of Michel Foucault, the concept of Postmodernism and current debates surrounding globalization, risk and network society. Exploring all the key ideas and thinkers, in addition to the most recent debates in the field, this book will be an engaging and lucid read for all those seeking to understand contemporary social theory today.

SIMON CLARKE is Co-director of the Centre for Psycho-Social Studies and a Reader in the School of Sociology at the University of the West of England, UK. He is author of Social Theory, Psychoanalysis and Racism and is editor of the international journal Psychoanalysis, Culture & Society.
SIMON CLARKE is Co-director of the Centre for Psycho-Social Studies and a Reader in the School of Sociology at the University of the West of England, UK. He is author of Social Theory, Psychoanalysis and Racism and is editor of the international journal Psychoanalysis, Culture & Society.

Acknowledgements
From Enlightenment to Risk: An Introduction
Reason, Rationalisation and the Culture Industry
The End of Enlightenment: Critical Theory, Modernity and Genocide
Jurgen Habermas: Self Reflection, Rationality and Communicative Action
Michel Foucault: Reason and Unreason From the 'Ship of Fools' to Disciplinary Society
Post Modernism, Post Modernity and Hyperreality
Shrinking the World: The Globalisation of Modernity
Risk Society and (Dis)Information: From Reflexive Modernisation to Cybersociality
Critical Psycho-Social Studies: A Conclusion
Bibliography.