Ralph Fevre

In the neoliberal world, rising individualism has frequently been linked to rising inequality. Drawing on social theory, philosophy, history, institutional research and a wealth of contemporary empirical data, this innovative book analyzes the tangled relationship between individualism and inequality and explores the possibilities of rediscovering individualism's revolutionary potential.Ralph Fevre demonstrates that a belief in individual self-determination powered the development of human rights and inspired social movements from anti-slavery to socialism, feminism and anti-racism. At the same time, every attempt to embed individualism in systems of education and employment has eventually led to increased social inequality. The book discusses influential thinkers, from Adam Smith to Herbert Spencer and John Dewey, as well as the persistence of discrimination despite equality laws, management and the transformation of individualism, individualism in work and mental illness, work insecurity and intensification. This multi-disciplinary book will be essential reading for students and scholars of sociology, economics, philosophy, political science, management science and public policy studies, among other subjects. It will also be of use to policymakers and those who want to know how the culture and politics of the neoliberal world are unfolding.

In the neoliberal world, rising individualism has frequently been linked to rising inequality. Drawing on social theory, philosophy, history, institutional research and a wealth of contemporary empirical data, this innovative book analyzes the tangled relationship between individualism and inequality and explores the possibilities of rediscovering individualism's revolutionary potential.Ralph Fevre demonstrates that a belief in individual self-determination powered the development of human rights and inspired social movements from anti-slavery to socialism, feminism and anti-racism. At the same time, every attempt to embed individualism in systems of education and employment has eventually led to increased social inequality. The book discusses influential thinkers, from Adam Smith to Herbert Spencer and John Dewey, as well as the persistence of discrimination despite equality laws, management and the transformation of individualism, individualism in work and mental illness, work insecurity and intensification. This multi-disciplinary book will be essential reading for students and scholars of sociology, economics, philosophy, political science, management science and public policy studies, among other subjects. It will also be of use to policymakers and those who want to know how the culture and politics of the neoliberal world are unfolding.

This is a textbook with a twist. Written as a novel, from the perspective of Mila, a student new to sociology, it is a brilliantly engaging introduction to the discipline and to the fundamental questions that have exercised the minds of the most important sociological thinkers. It offers refreshingly clear explanations of the most important aspects of sociology and exposes students to social theory and how it relates to our everyday experiences. Students are encouraged to engage critically and personally with sociological ideas, and in the process learn how to interpret, use and reshape them.This revised second edition offers an ideal alternative to traditional texts for introductory sociology modules. It is also highly valuable for modules on sociological and social theory.New to this Edition:- Improved narrative structure with enhanced focus on sociological ideas- Includes new pedagogical features such as Mila's end-of-chapter doodles and a glossary of key terms- Accompanied by a new companion website with a Guide and Videos for lecturers, and a flashcard glossary anda Sociology timeline for studentsAccompanying online resources for this title can be found at bloomsburyonlineresources.com/dead-white-men. These resources are designed to support teaching and learning when using this textbook and are available at no extra cost.

This book is available as open access through the Bloomsbury Open Access programme and is available on www.bloomsburycollections.com.Trouble in the workplace - whether it is bullying, harassment or stress - is always in the headlines. Yet, in many discussions, the research and statistics that are cited prove unreliable. This book summarizes the largest specialist research programme on ill-treatment in the workplace so far undertaken. It provides a powerful antidote to half-truths and misinformation and offers a new way of conceptualizing trouble at work, moving the discussion away from individualized explanations - and talk of 'bullies' and 'victims' - towards the workplace characteristics that cause trouble at work. The biggest problems arise where organisations fail to create a workplace culture in which individuals really matter. Paradoxically, these are often the organizations which are well-versed in modern management practices.

This book is available as open access through the Bloomsbury Open Access programme and is available on www.bloomsburycollections.com.Trouble in the workplace - whether it is bullying, harassment or stress - is always in the headlines. Yet, in many discussions, the research and statistics that are cited prove unreliable. This book summarizes the largest specialist research programme on ill-treatment in the workplace so far undertaken. It provides a powerful antidote to half-truths and misinformation and offers a new way of conceptualizing trouble at work, moving the discussion away from individualized explanations - and talk of 'bullies' and 'victims' - towards the workplace characteristics that cause trouble at work. The biggest problems arise where organisations fail to create a workplace culture in which individuals really matter. Paradoxically, these are often the organizations which are well-versed in modern management practices.

There is a continuing popular debate in the Western world about values, and in particular those values by which we conduct our private lives. This debate reflects a genuine confusion about morality; it seems that we are more unsure about where right and wrong may lie than at any previous point in our history. In The Demoralization of Western Culture Ralph Fevre undertakes an explanation of these difficulties. He argues that their most important source lies in the popularity of a particular sort of reasoning; a subcategory of rationality called 'common sense' which came to dominate our thinking during the twentieth century. He looks at why this sort of reasoning has proved so persuasive and so much more powerful than the alternative modes of thinking offered by those who want to resist it. Drawing on evidence from surveys, polls, journalism and various forms of cultural commentary, as well as works of social theory, The Demoralization of Western Culture breaks free of the conventions of academic social science, moving instead into the territory of public philosophy. This is a tradition which, the author argues, forces us to engage in ethical reflection as well as the simple evaluation of argument.

What are the solid achievements of the sociology of economic behaviour? What have been the main failures and omissions? How will the subject develop? In this assured and timely volume, the author demonstrates how the sociology of economic behaviour was hijacked by the economic sociology which grew out of Parsons' interpretation of Weber. This development meant that the moral considerations of classical sociology only received attention as means to economic ends. Economic sociology is based on insupportable assumptions about the power of economic rationality which also obscures the political nature of economic behaviour. The book seeks to revitalize the classical approach and introduces students to the essential ideas in the field. It also shows researchers and graduate students how to make use of concepts like demoralization, cheap labour, dignity at work and a fair day's pay to develop critiques of current economic arrangements.

What are the solid achievements of the sociology of economic behaviour? What have been the main failures and omissions? How will the subject develop? In this assured and timely volume, the author demonstrates how the sociology of economic behaviour was hijacked by the economic sociology which grew out of Parsons' interpretation of Weber. This development meant that the moral considerations of classical sociology only received attention as means to economic ends. Economic sociology is based on insupportable assumptions about the power of economic rationality which also obscures the political nature of economic behaviour. The book seeks to revitalize the classical approach and introduces students to the essential ideas in the field. It also shows researchers and graduate students how to make use of concepts like demoralization, cheap labour, dignity at work and a fair day's pay to develop critiques of current economic arrangements.