The ultimate sociological resource Written by three eminent professors, this reference has been updated to reflect the shifts of sociological thought in the last five years, making it the most comprehensive, authoritative, and up-to-date dictionary of sociology available.

A consistent best-seller, the wide-ranging and authoritative Dictionary of Sociology was first published in 1994 and contains more than 2,500 entries on the terminology, methods, concepts, and thinkers in the field, as well as from the related fields of psychology, economics, anthropology, philosophy, and political science. For this fourth edition, Professor John Scott has conducted a thorough review of all entries to ensure that they are concise, focused, and up to date. Revisions reflect current intellectual debates and social conditions, particularly in relation to global and multi-cultural issues. New entries cover relevant contemporary concepts, such as climate change, social media, terrorism, and intersectionality, as well as key living sociologists. This Dictionary is both an invaluable introduction to sociology for beginners, and an essential source of reference for more advanced students and teachers.

Accessing the huge and often bewildering subject of Critical Theory can be an intimidating experience. This acclaimed dictionary provides the ideal introduction to the range of theories and theorists on offer and will prove an invaluable and authoritative resource to all students. * Incisive overviews of the work of key figures from Arendt and Artaud to Winnicott, Wittgestein and Woolf * Powerful summaries of the crucial debates on desire and deconstruction, object relations and Orientalism, postcolonial theory and postmodernism * Clear explanations of both the links and the disagreements between different thinkers and schools.

"Undoubtedly the most accessible, readable and downright interesting - even amusing - dictionary of its type. In being all of those things - and more - the dictionary does not sacrifice on quality. There are many well-chosen entries and they are quite informative. A useful addition to any scholar′s library while at the same time being an excellent resource for both graduate and undergraduate students" - George Ritzer, University of Maryland "This is a delightful and comprehensive dictionary. The authors write in an engaging and lively style that brings alive the ideas of sociology not only for existing practitioners, but also for a whole new generation of students" - Tim May, University of Salford With over 1000 entries on key concepts and theorists, The SAGE Dictionary of Sociology provides full coverage of the field, clarifying the technical use of apparently common words, explaining the fundamental concepts and introducing new and unfamiliar terms. This book provides: authoritative, reliable definitions accessible ′digests′ of key arguments contemporary, appealing illustrations of points readability. This is not just another dry guide to the discipline. Engagingly written with its audience firmly in mind, it will be the definitive and chosen companion to established textbooks and teaching materials in sociology.

In this volume leading international scholars elaborate upon the central issues of the analysis of ideology: the nature of dominant ideologies. The ways in which ideologies are transmitted; their effects on dominant and subordinate social classes in different societies; the contrast between individualistic and collectivist belief systems; and the diversity of cultural forms that coexist within the capitalist form of economic organization. This book is distinctive in its empirical and comparative approach to the study of the economic and cultural basis of social order, and in the wide range of societies that it covers. Japan, Germany and the USA constitute the core of the modern global economy, and have widely differing historical roots and cultural traditions. Argentina and Australia are white settler societies on the periphery of the capitalist world-system and as a result have certain common features, that are cut across in turn by social and political developments peculiar to each. Britain after a decade of Thatcherism is an interesting test of the efficacy of an ideological project designed to change the cultural values of a population. Poland shows the limitations of the imposition of a state socialist ideology, and the cultural complexities that result.

The Penguin Dictionary of International Relations holds the key to understanding the trends and events that have influenced international relations over the last decade. This completely up-to-date reference includes explanations of the dangerous developments that have affected international relations, such as ethnic cleansing and preventive war, as well as detailed entries on broader concepts and key organizations--from game theory to SALT, from Amnesty International to WHO. This is a must for students of the world who want to keep up with the ever-changing pace of foreign relations.