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The nature of poststructuralism is discussed in reference to the potential for a viable form of poststructuralist sociology (PSS). Poststructuralism is defined as a form of decentering that challenges traditional political & social mechanisms & discourses undermining social freedom. This emphasis demands that PSS recognize & actively pursue political aims, a goal mostly absent in traditional sociology. Therefore, PSS would abandon its role as a social science, discipline, & type of knowledge in favor of political self-consciousness & active opposition to all forms of social domination. At the methodological level, PSS relies on four basic assumptions: (1) theory is inherently discursive, (2) empirical reality is textual, (3) intellectual & scientific meaning is achieved through the relationship between empirical & theoretical texts, & (4) a discursive interpretation of reality facilitates better understanding of reality than traditional sociology. Drawing on a discursive analysis of the Vietnam War, it is concluded that PSS would significantly reduce the distance between sociology & real world social & political issues. 39 References. T. Sevier

When in European scholarship natural sciences have separated from humanities during the 19th century the concept of hermeneutics won the distinctive mark characterizing the special methods of the humanities in contrast to explanation practiced by natural sciences. The high esteem in literary studies for the individuality of a poet or writer implied that the most important aim of understanding and interpreting was to find the author's secret intention. Maintaining the results of such research in literary studies necessarily must remain subjective or even ideologically determined made the Russian formalists - -later the structuralists from Prague and Western Europe- -try to find a more scientific constitution of a poetic text.

Cover -- Half Title -- Title -- Copyright -- Original Title -- Original Copyright -- Contents -- Acknowledgements -- Preface -- 1. Beginnings: On the Left -- 2. Structuralism/Post-structuralism -- 3. Film Theory -- 4. Cultural Studies -- 5. The Social Sciences -- 6. Historical Studies -- 7. Psychology -- 8. Art History -- 9. Musicology -- 10. Philosophy -- 11. Literary Theory -- 12. Deconstruction -- 13. Post-structuralism and the English Tradition -- Appendix I Textual Practice: One Example -- Appendix II A Note on Institutions -- Appendix III An Interview with Jacques Derrida -- Bibliography -- Index.

The technocratic dimension of government—its reliance upon knowledge claims, usually in scientific guise—is of great importance if we wish to understand modern power and governance. In Power Without Knowledge: A Critique of Technocracy, Jeffrey Friedman investigates the often-overlooked question of the relationship between technocratic knowledge/power and ideas. Friedman's contribution to our understanding of technocracy can therefore be read as a contribution to governmentality studies, one that introduces the possibility of adding normative solutions to this critical tradition.

Post-structuralism is recognised as a major force within literary and cultural studies. This book is the first to apply the theory to politics and to show the ways in which it can illuminate political theory and analysis. As such it is likely to become a key text in the development of this area, providing a stimulating introduction to the subject. Authors explore the two-way relationship, showing not only that post-structuralism can enhance the study of politics, but also that advocates of post-structuralism can benefit from being open to the lessons political studies can teach. The book aims to (i) clarify the relationship of contemporary theory to politics; (ii) open up a new intellectual interface; (iii) create a space for exchange between disciplines; (iv) provide a statement of the role of post-structuralist theory in politicsCovering three main sections - What is Post-structuralist Political Theory?; Post-structuralism and Political Analysis; and The Question of the Political - the authors draw on themes raised by Continental thinkers such as Derrida, Nancy and Deleuze, and Anglo-American thinkers such as Butler and Connolly in their questioning of the theoretical and empirical understanding of contemporary politics.Key Features First systematic examination of post-structuralism to see what it may mean for political studies Advances its own rigorous and theoretically informed position Cutting edge: provides a vibrant introduction to this area of political thought and analysis Brings clarity to the two-way relationship between post-structuralism and politics