Sociology and Social Theory
Sociology is a growth area for us and our books in sociology and social theory include exciting work from new authors and well-known academics, as well as undergraduate and postgraduate textbooks.
Our wide range of sociology and social theory books include high quality research and range from textbooks through to specialised monographs. Many also ‘make a difference’ in a tangible way, whether it be informing a key policy or practice debate, or improving the education of students.
Transforming education policy
Shaping a democratic future
This topical book argues that a new paradigm is emerging in education, in relation to the economic crisis. It is part of a more general trend to organisational democracy and the onus for change rests with teachers, heads, parents, community members, educational sponsors and partners.
Equality and diversity
Value incommensurability and the politics of recognition
Available Open Access under CC-BY-NC licence. This important book explores the values of equality and diversity as promoted across liberal societies, drawing on various traditions of political and social philosophy, and applying them to policy and practice debates.
Wealth and the Wealthy
Exploring and Tackling Inequalities between Rich and Poor
Using many data sources, this timely book provides a comprehensive discussion of issues of wealth, looking at potential policy responses, including 'asset-based' welfare and taxation.
Trusting on the Edge
Managing Uncertainty and Vulnerability in the Midst of Serious Mental Health Problems
This book explores issues central to contemporary theoretical debates around the nature of trust, linking abstract concerns to empirical analysis with interviews with service-users, practitioners and managers.
Contemporary Grandparenting
Changing Family Relationships in Global Contexts
This is the first book to take a sociological approach to grandparenting across diverse country contexts and combines new theorising with up-to-date empirical findings to document the changing nature of grandparenting across global contexts.
The Unfinished Revolution
Voices from the Global Fight for Women's Rights
The unfinished revolution: Voices from the global fight for women's rights tells the legal and political history of the battle to secure basic rights for women and girls with essays by more than 30 writers, activists, policymakers and human rights experts, and contributions from women who have been victims of human rights abuses.
Faith-Based Organisations and Exclusion in European Cities
This timely book explores the role played by faith-based organisations (FBOs), which are growing in importance in the provision of social services in the European context.
Reclaiming Individualism
Perspectives on Public Policy
Reclaiming individualism reviews the scope of individualist approaches, and considers how they apply to issues of policy. It argues for a concept of individualism based on rights, human dignity, shared interests and social protection.
The Politics of Civil Society
Big Society and Small Government
In the second, revised edition of this indispensable book, the author looks behind 'the mirror of power' to discover the reality of civil society - or 'Big Society', as it has become known.
Criminalisation and Advanced Marginality
Critically Exploring the Work of Loïc Wacquant
Written by criminologists and policy analysts, Criminalisation and advanced marginality offers a constructive but critical application of Wacquant's ideas.
World Report 2014
Events of 2013
Human Rights Watch's twenty-fourth annual World Report summarizes global trends and news in human rights.
Austerity Bites
A Journey to the Sharp End of Cuts in the UK
This timely book by award-winning journalist Mary O’Hara chronicles the true impact of austerity on people at the sharp end of the cuts, based on her 12-month journey around the country in 2012 and 2013 and fully updated for the paperback edition