Orientalism, Postmodernism and Globalism / Edition 1

by Professor Bryan S Turner

Overview

It is often thought that the development of capitalism and the modernization of culture have brought about a profound decline of religious belief and commitment. The history of Christianity in the last two decades appears to be a good illustration of this general process of secularization with the undermining of belief and commitment as Western cultures became industrial and urban. However, in the twentieth century we have seen that Islam continues to be a dominant force in politics and culture not only in the Orient but in Western society. In this challenging study of contemporary social theory, Bryan Turner examines the recent debate about orientalism in relation to postmodernism and the process of globalization. He provides a profound critique of many of the leading fissures in classical orientalism. His book also considers the impact of the notion of the world in sociological theory. These cultural changes and social debates also reflect important change in the status and position of intellecuals in modern culture who are threatened, not only by the levelling of mass culture, but also by the new opportunities posed by postmodernism. He takes a critical view of the role of sociology in these developments and raises important questions about the global role of English intellectuals as a social stratum. Bryan Turner's ability to combine these discussions about religion, politics, culture and intellectuals represents a remarkable integration of cultural analysis in cultural studies.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781138147430
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	06/22/2016
Pages:	244
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

About the Author

Bryan S.Turner is Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Professor of Sociology at Deakin University, Australia.

Table of Contents

Part 1 Orientalism; Chapter 1 Orientalism, postmodernism and religion; Chapter 2 Orientalism and the problem of civil society in Islam While; Chapter 3 Accounting for the Orient; Part 2 II Orientalists; Chapter 4 Conscience in the construction of religion; Chapter 5 Gustave von Grunebaum and the mimesis of Islam; Part 3 III Globalism; Chapter 6 Politics and culture in Islamic globalism; Chapter 7 From orientalism to global sociology; Chapter 8 The concept of ‘the world’ in sociology; Part 4 IV Intellectuals and postmodernism; Chapter 9 Nostalgia, postmodernism and the critique of mass culture; Chapter 10 The two faces of sociology: global or national?; Chapter 11 Ideology and utopia in the formation of an intelligentsia; Part 5 V Modernity; Chapter 12 From regulation to risk; Chapter 13 The self and reflexive modernity; Chapter 14 Conclusion ReferencesIndex;

Editorial Reviews

'... this stimulating and provoking collection of essays which, using various conceptual templates, explores the relationship between critiques of orientalism, postmodernism, and the changing role of intellectuals in an increasingly globalized world. Turner is a fine organizer and sifter of the history of sociological thought' - Ecumene

'His book is interesting and well-written. It makes some provocative points.' - Network, Spring 1995

'For ever challenging and demanding, but also for ever stimulating and gratifying, Bryan Turner's critical reflections on Orientalism, Postmodernism and Globalism deserves the reader's fullest attention.' - Journal of Islamic Studies

From the Publisher