Liberation Sociology - Softcover

Feagin, Joe; Vera, Hernan; Feagin, Joe R.

4.03

31 ratings by Goodreads

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0813333237 ISBN 13: 9780813333236

Publisher: Westview Press, 2001

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One of the tragedies of any society is the failure of its people and leaders to understand the real social problems confronting them. Over the coming decades the United States is demonstrably on a path of increasing social conflict, accentuated class and racial inequalities, and likely social chaos and collapse. The social and economic contradictions of U.S. capitalism, racism, sexism, and homophobia are clear to those who will look closely now. Yet, these social oppressions and inequalities are rationalized by leading politicians, media commentators, and intellectuals, often with open attacks on the principles of equality that theoretically underlie U.S. institutions. This state of affairs need not be a cause for extreme pessimism, for progressive change remains possible, as people's movements have long shown. The United States and the world can become better places, socially and economically, for all people. Change has been brought about by citizen action in the past, and it can be brought about in the future. Joe Feagin and Hernan Vera argue that citizen action can be assisted by what they call "liberation sociology"--a tool to dramatically increase democratic participation in the production and implementation of knowledge and the creation of better human societies. Liberation sociology takes the perspective of those seeking liberation from oppressive conditions--the majority of the world's people. Its aim is to assist those struggling to eliminate all forms of human oppression. The book offers both a theoretical analysis and case studies of liberation social science as reflected in actual practice and explains that the same sociological methods that are used to defend oppression can be used instead to liberate human beings.

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About the Author:

family, sociology of knowledge and cultural diversity courses. With Joe Feagin he has co-authored White Racism: The Basics , and with Joe Feagin and Nikitah Imani The Agony of Education: Black Students at White Colleges and Universities . He is also the author of Professionalization and Professionalism: The Case of the Catholic Priest . Currently he is completing, with Andrew Gordon a book on Sincere Fictions of the White Self in the American Cinema 1915-2001 .

Review:

"(The authors) show that sociology can make a vital contribution to human freedom and well-being." -- Howard Winant, Temple University

"... Liberation Sociology prove(s) to be a breath of fresh air." -- American Journal of Sociology

"...offers a viable and much needed pathway out of the crisis that has beset sociological thinking for several decades." -- Choice

"An engaging and informative text which will inspire many students." -- Journal of Sociology and Social Welfare

"Contains not only a wrecking ball critique and a visionary set of blueprints, but gleaming case examples." -- Noel A. Cazenave

"Find(s) a lot of lint in the sociological bellybutton and firmly urge us to clean up our act." -- Contemporary Sociology

"I came away from Liberation Sociology with a sense of renewed hope for the field." -- Patricia Hill Collins

"Truly a magnificent, original, exciting, and powerful consciousness raising book!" -- Bernice McNair Barnett, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

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