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This paper addresses key implications in momentous current global energy choices – both for social science and for society. Energy can be over-used as a lens for viewing social processes. But it is nonetheless of profound importance. Understanding possible 'sustainable energy' transformations requires attention to many tricky issues in social theory: around agency and structure and the interplay of power, contingency and practice. These factors are as much shaping of the knowledges and normativities supposedly driving transformation, as they are shaped by them. So, ideas and hopes about possible pathways for change – as well as notions of 'the transition' itself – can be deeply constituted by incumbent interests. The paper addresses these dynamics by considering contending forms of transformation centring on renewable energy, nuclear power and climate geoengineering. Several challenges are identified for social science. These apply especially where there are aims to help enable more democratic exercise of social agency. They enjoin responsibilities to 'open up' (rather than 'close down'), active political spaces for critical contention over alternative pathways. If due attention is to be given to marginalised interests, then a reflexive view must be taken of transformation. The paper ends with a series of concrete political lessons.

This paper addresses key implications in momentous current global energy choices – both for social science and for society. Energy can be over-used as a lens for viewing social processes. But it is nonetheless of profound importance. Understanding possible 'sustainable energy' transformations requires attention to many tricky issues in social theory: around agency and structure and the interplay of power, contingency and practice. These factors are as much shaping of the knowledges and normativities supposedly driving transformation, as they are shaped by them. So, ideas and hopes about possible pathways for change – as well as notions of 'the transition' itself – can be deeply constituted by incumbent interests. The paper addresses these dynamics by considering contending forms of transformation centring on renewable energy, nuclear power and climate geoengineering. Several challenges are identified for social science. These apply especially where there are aims to help enable more democratic exercise of social agency. They enjoin responsibilities to 'open up' (rather than 'close down'), active political spaces for critical contention over alternative pathways. If due attention is to be given to marginalised interests, then a reflexive view must be taken of transformation. The paper ends with a series of concrete political lessons. ; ESRC

The conditions that shaped the rise and expansion of American social science are rapidly changing, and with them, the terms of its relationship with power and policy. As globalization has diminished the role of the state as the locus of public policy i.

As economic stagnation freezes the globe; capitalism is increasingly questioned; war, revolution and political instability unsettles the Middle East; and President Obama's campaign for the Presidency looms, Volume 23 of Political Power and Social Theory reflects on these and related issues and whether the concept of "capitalism" should be problemat.

Cover -- Title -- Copyright -- Contents -- List of Illustrations -- Acknowledgements -- 1 Why Do We Need to Think about Power? -- A persistent problem -- The power to be late -- What is the place of power in social work? -- The contexts of power in social work -- Key questions about power -- The structure and aims of this book -- Main points -- Stop and think -- Taking it further -- Part 1 Ideas of Power -- 2 Ideas about Power -- Power is a double-edged concept -- Historical ideas of power -- From recognition to definition? -- Power as potential -- Power as possession -- Power as process -- Power as product -- Main points -- Stop and think -- Taking it further -- 3 Modes of Power -- Interests and difference -- The 'personal' aspect of power: the role of identity -- Positional power -- Relational power -- Main points -- Stop and think -- Taking it further -- 4 Sites of Power -- The importance of context -- Situating power: three frameworks -- Up close and personal: the family -- The community as 'local authority'? -- State institutions: speaking directly to practice -- The global dimension -- Main points -- Stop and think -- Taking it further -- Part 2 Mechanisms of Power -- 5 Structural Influences on Practice -- Making it real -- Appearances count: the media and social work -- Speaking directly to practice: the role of government -- Law and legitimacy -- Social work and the market -- Main points -- Stop and think -- Taking it further -- 6 Professionals and Organizations -- Practice and the impact of systems -- The power of professions? -- Social work: a transformative profession? -- Professionalism and 'managerialism' -- 'Reprofessionalizing' social work? -- Social work and other professions -- Social work professionals and service users -- Social work as a 'critical' profession -- Main points -- Stop and think -- Taking it further.

Deals with the comparative and historical social science. This title focuses on a variety of questions relating to states, citizenship, and power, common themes examined with divergent analytical entry points and through deep knowledge of country cases as