Routledge Power, Politics, and Society: An Introduction to Political Sociology

Power, Politics and Society: An Introduction to Political Sociology discusses how sociologists have organized the study of politics into conceptual frameworks, and how each of these frameworks foster a sociological perspective on power and politics in society. This includes discussing how these frameworks can be applied to understanding current issues and other "real life" aspects of politics. This second edition incorporates new material on cultural divides in American politics, emerging roles for the state, the ongoing effects of the Great Recession and recovery, the 2016 election, social media, and the various policies introduced during the Trump administration and how they affect people’s lives. Review "Dobratz, Buzzell, and Waldner masterfully present the principal themes in political sociology in ways that compel students to see how their lives are shaped by power and politics and highlights how they can reshape power relations through social networks, organizations, and social institutions." --Robert Futrell, Professor and Chair, Sociology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas "This book provides a comprehensive overview and very thorough treatment of the main ideas and arguments within political sociology. I especially like the authors' attention to culture, and their detailed presentation of the ways in which politics and the state frame and permeate so many elements of everyday life. Truly they will help you to see, as Antonio Gramsci noted, that all of social life is, in some way or other, political." --Paul McLean, Professor, Sociology, Rutgers University "Power, Politics and Society 2nd edition is a highly engaging introduction to the major theories, topics and debates within the field of political sociology. The clearly-written prose manages to combine significant breadth of coverage with accessible and intriguing examples to draw students in and demonstrate the continued value of using sociology to examine power, politics and their own lives." --Scott Fitzgerald, Associate Professor and Associate Chair, Sociology, University of North Carolina, Charlotte About the Author Betty A. Dobratz is Professor of Sociology at Iowa State University. She has authored, co-authored, or co-edited 14 books or issues of journals and more than 50 research articles, chapters, and pieces on teaching. Her co-authored book, White Power, White Pride! The White Separatist Movement in the U.S., with Stephanie Shanks-Meile, received two sociology book awards, one from a section of the American Sociological Association (ASA) and the other was from the North Central Sociological Association Scholarly Achievement Award. The book also was one of sixteen sociology books to be included in Choice’s Outstanding Academic Books list for 1998. Her earlier work focused on contemporary Greek politics, and she spent ten months in Greece on a NATO post-doctoral fellowship.  Lisa K. Waldner is currently Professor of Sociology and Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of St. Thomas where she teaches courses in research methods, statistics and sexuality. Her published work covers topics such as political activism, hate crimes, gay and lesbian issues, and violence in intimate relationships. She has received several teaching awards including being named a John Ireland Professor (2015) and is a recipient of the university’s Undergraduate Research and Collaborative Scholarship award (2006) for her work with students. Timothy Buzzell is Professor of Sociology and Chair of the Department of History, Culture and Society at Baker University in Baldwin City, Kansas. He teaches courses in Criminology, Deviance, Politics and Society, Religion, Ritual and Belief, as well as Theory in Sociology. In addition, he currently serves as the Coordinator of the Social Justice program. His research on the nature of computer crime and deviance has appeared in the journals Deviant Behavior, Sexuality & Culture, and Crimin