Thomas G. Masaryk was founding and first president of the State of Czechoslovakia. He was also a dissident charter member of the theoretical vanguard that established modern sociology in the nineteenth century. Many social scientists are aware of Masaryk's political role, but do not know about his significant contributions to sociology. With the publication of this book, Imber and Woolfolk hope to restore Masaryk to his rightful place in history as a founding sociological theorist. This compilation of some of Masaryk's major writings reveals the intertwining of politics and social theory that is characteristic of his thinking. Chapters in Constructive Sociological Theory include The Development of the Modern Suicide Tendency"; "Essence and Method of Sociology"; The Epistemological Problem of Russian Philosophy"; "The Religious Question and Modern Philosophy"; The Class Structure of Society"; "Central Problems of Marxist Policy"; and "Democracy versus Theocracy." Constructive Sociological Theory also presents these writings together in English for the first time. Alan Woolfolk's substantial introduction extensively discusses Masaryk's biographical background, academic life, political career, religious views, and interpretations of Marx and Comte, among other subjects. This landmark volume will be an essential addition to the libraries of political theorists, sociologists, philosophers, and theologians.

Setting out to exemplify a new approach to social theory - one forged in the course of a critical dialogue between Postmodernism and Marxism, this book departs from classical Marxist thought. By directly engaging with issues in social and political theory, the book offers a way forward for a new and revitalised Marxist tradition. The book does not fit within any single disciplinary boundary, but challenges the limits imposed by conventional boundaries. The author breaks with the ususal Postmodernism versus Marxism syndrome, and defies that brand of Postmodernism that pronounces the death of social theory. Through a deconstructive rethinking of the central concepts of production, law and class, he attempts to demonstrate ways in which a transformed Marxism can take on board and benefit from Postmodernism and deconstruction without lapsing into post-Marxism.

"This third edition is substantially revised and updated. It offers extended coverage of many new areas of debate, including evidence-based practice, social construction, attachment theory and cultural diversity. It also incor807porates a variety of innovative devices to support learning - whether in the classroom, the workplace, or while undertaking independent study." "Students, practitioners and lecturers alike will find this third edition a vital investment and an invaluable companion." --Book Jacket.

Twelve papers presented at a conference, "The Human Sciences in the Age of Theory," hosted by the Centre for the Study of Theory and Criticism at the University of Western Ontario in the spring of 1993. Broken into four sections (rethinking theorists, the theorizing of theory, theory and representation, and situating theory), the papers include: Habermas and the ethnocentric discourse of modernity; novels as theories in a liberal society; dance criticism--feminism, theory, and choreography; and postmodernism and cultural studies--on the utopianization of Heteropia. No index. Annotation copyright by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR