The Routledge Companion to Social Theory

The Routledge Companion to Social Theory provides an authoritative, comprehensive and provocative introduction to the key traditions of thought in social theory today. This ground-breaking reference work brings together major contributors, both established and emergent new voices, to reflect on the ways in which social theory sheds light on the contemporary social world. Represented are:

the traditions of classical social thought
symbolic interactionism
psychoanalysis
structuralism, post-structuralism and postmodernism
identity theories
globalization theories.


The Routledge Companion to Social Theory is designed to give a sense of the complexities of both classical and contemporary social theory. Including a helpful glossary of key terms and theorists, this accessible guide is essential reading for students and professionals in social theory, sociology, philosophy, cultural studies, women’s studies and politics.

Anthony Elliott is Professor of Sociology at Flinders University, Australia, and Visiting Research Professor in Sociology at The Open University, UK. His publications for Routledge include The Contemporary Bauman (2007), Contemporary Social Theory: An Introduction (2009), and The New Individualism: The Emotional Costs of Globalization with Charles Lemert (revised edition, 2009).

Introduction. Part One – Traditions and Riddles of Social Theory 1. What is Social Theory? 2. Classical Social Theory 3. Social Theory and Symbolic Interactionism 4. Social Theory and Psychoanalysis 5. Social Theory, Structuralism and Poststructuralism 6. Structuration Theories 7. Social Theory of the Body 8. Postmodern Social Theory 9. Social Theory of Identity 10. New Media, Popular Culture and Social Theory 11. Citizenship, Cosmopolitanism and Social Theory 12. Social Theory and Cultural Sociology 13. Social Theory of Globalization. Part Two – Central Terms and Thinkers. Bibliography