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The 21st century has witnessed a fundamental transformation of political institutions and society, alongside cultural, global and complexity turns in social theory. This provocative text gives an overview of key issues, argues for an ´existential turn´ in political sociology and brings the study of politics and society up to date.

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The fall of the Berlin Wall, the emergence of a global terrorist threat, the growing strength of global political institutions, movements and networks, the political integration of Europe and the emergence of regional trading blocs - the last decade has seen a fundamental transformation of political institutions and the social environments in which they operate. It has also witnessed ongoing challenges to traditional theoretical debates in the form of cultural, global and complexity ´turns´ in social and political theory.
This timely and provacative text updates political sociology for the 21st century. Providing a comprehensive and critical overview, it examines how theoretical ´turns´ have impacted upon key political developments and controversies. Further, Graham Taylor argues the case for an ´existential turn´ in political sociology which best captures the ways in which complex global power relations are lived and experienced.
This is an essential guide for students seeking a thorough understanding of the workings of politics and society in the new millennium.

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Introduction: The Contours of Social and Political Complexity Political Sociology in an Age of Complexity Complex Powers: Beyond the Panopticon? The End of the Nation State? The Disarticulation of Power and Identity Glocalized Identities: Political Culture between Place and Space Networks of Resistance: Global Complexity and the Politics of New Social Movements Networks of Terror: Globalization, Fundamentalism and Political Violence Complex Citizenships: Between Universalism and Particularism? Global Civil Society: The Prospects for Cosmocracy Conclusion: Towards an ´Existential Turn´ in Political Sociology Glossary Bibliography

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"Graham Taylor does well what so many contemporary authors seem to fail to do these days, that is, after positioning his work amid recent trends in sociological research and theory, he poses a meaningful alternative." - International Sociology Review ´A bold and original contribution to the field. Taylor offers us a political sociology of ´inbetweeness´: the old order of modernity is dissolving while the emerging order is not yet fully formed. The result is a sophisticated and challenging book.´ - Chris Rumford, Royal Holloway, University of London, UK ´Graham Taylor traces the ways in which new understandings of globalization and culture have transformed political sociology. This book will become part of the debate on the future of states and politics, and on how best to analyze those social creations.´ - Richard Lachmann, State University of New York at Albany, USA

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