Social Theory Since Freud Traversing Social Imaginaries [Hardcover]

In this compelling book, Anthony Elliott traces the rise of psychoanalysis from the Frankfurt School to postmodernism. Examining how pathbreaking theorists such as Adorno, Marcuse, Lacan and Lyotard have deployed psychoanalysis to politicise issues such as desire, sexuality, repression and identity, Elliott assesses the gains and losses arising from this appropriation of psychoanalysis in social theory and cultural studies.

Moving from the impact of the Culture Wars and recent Freud-bashing to contemporary debates in social theory, feminism and postmodernism, Elliott argues for a new alliance between sociological and psychoanalytic perspectives.

1. Social Theory and Psychoanalysis: The Story So Far  2. Self and Society: Freud and Castoriadis on Imagination  3. Desire in Language: Kristeva and Laplanche on Repression  4. The Social Imaginary and Social Research 5. In Defence of Imagination: Concluding Remarks'Anthony Elliott is quickly emerging as a one-person industry, intent in all his writings to demonstrate both the relevance and the importance of psychoanalytic theory for social analysis.'- Thesis Eleven

'Anthony Elliott has once again provided a lucid and critical examination of the relationship between psychoanalysis and social theory. While many writers are still catching up with Lacan's work, Elliott explains the major advances to be found in post-Lacanian theory, and shows how it offers a new view of subjectivity and the 'imagination' attuned to the complexities of contemporary social life.'- Stephen Frosh, Birkbeck College, London

'Comprehensive and challenging, Social Theory Since Freudexplores major developments in western thought since Freud mapped out the unconscious. It is an authoritative synopsis of the Frankfurt School, Castoriadis, Lacan, LaplanchelóÇ