From Public Sociology to Politicized Sociologist

• Main Author: Piven, Frances Fox
• Format: eBook
• Language: English
• Published: 01.01.2007
• Subjects: Academic Disciplines; Public Sphere; Sociological Research
• ISBN: 9780520251380; 0520251385

The current preoccupation with public sociology comes easily to the field with a legacy of European theorists whose work was clearly marked by preoccupation with the upheavals of industrial society. Institutionalization & formalization after WWII led to the policy science orientation that defined a rather narrow & technical role of sociology that were critiqued on the capacity to provide the knowledge necessary to intervene purposely in a complex & fluid society. The problem of the sociology of the public sociologists based on position seeking & funding resulted in patron supported models of "personal responsibility" that inadvertently served political elites rather than the public. But, Burawoy's compelling call for public sociology must recognize the many publics & acknowledge the sharp divisions in society. This requires a protective environment for nurturing a dissident sociology that seeks out alternative constituencies & a reevaluation of the philosophical basis of sociological endeavor in the face of an overwhelming political world thus poses the question of "How can we not be critical & dissident public sociologists?". References. J. Hitchcock