New Books in Sociology

Benjamin Schrader, Director of Adult Learner and Veteran Services at Colorado State University and author, shares powerful insights on veteran activism. He redefines the narrative around veterans, portraying them not as victims but as active agents of change. The conversation explores their transitions from military service to social justice, addressing issues like antiwar organizing and economic justice. Schrader emphasizes the critical need for veterans to reshape notions of patriotism and the importance of telling their own stories in the journey toward healing and activism.

In this engaging conversation, Dr. Vanessa Bohns, a social psychologist and professor at Cornell University, reveals how we often underestimate the influence we possess in social settings. She shares insights from her research, shedding light on the 'invisible audience' effect on social media and the power of asking for favors. With compelling anecdotes and evidence, Bohns emphasizes the importance of recognizing our impact, navigating social dynamics, and embracing our innate ability to persuade and connect with others, all while addressing the biases that hinder fair hiring practices.

Lian Sinclair, a postdoctoral research associate at the University of Sydney, discusses the complex role of multinational mining companies in undermining local resistance. She explores how participatory strategies are deployed to reshape community dynamics in Indonesia. Sinclair reveals the tensions between corporate social responsibility and genuine community empowerment. The conversation highlights the shift towards critical minerals and the challenges faced by communities as they navigate their rights amidst corporate influence. It's a fascinating look at power, protest, and the politics of extraction.

Chloe Ahmann, an Assistant Professor of Anthropology at Cornell University, dives into the complex history of pollution in South Baltimore. She discusses the enduring effects of industrial decay and local activism aimed at creating a sustainable future. The conversation highlights generational divides in aspirations, revealing how nostalgia shapes community narratives. Ahmann also explores the intertwining themes of hope and despair among residents, emphasizing youth-led movements that seek to combat environmental injustices and envision a brighter tomorrow.

In this insightful discussion, award-winning journalist Claudia Rowe delves into the complexities of the American foster care system, drawing on her book, Wards of the State. She highlights the harrowing stories of six former foster youth and the systemic failures that lead many into the criminal justice system. Rowe shares personal motivations for her work and underscores the urgent need for reform, addressing societal misconceptions and the challenges faced by vulnerable children. Inspiring tales of resilience illustrate the fight for a better future in child welfare.

Diana Graizbord, Assistant Professor of Sociology at the University of Georgia, discusses her new book on the interplay of democracy and evaluation expertise in Mexico. She delves into how institutions like Coneval aim to ensure accountability but often grapple with complex political realities. The conversation touches on the emergence of 'techno-democracy' and the significance of citizen involvement in shaping policies. Graizbord also examines how political transitions influence the effectiveness of evaluation processes and the broader implications for democracy in the Global South.

Nat Dyer, a writer and researcher specializing in global political economy, delves into the legacy of David Ricardo, a key figure in economic theory. He highlights how Ricardo's abstract models have obscured real-world issues like power and inequality. The conversation critiques the simplistic assumptions of modern economic theories and discusses the socio-economic consequences of globalization and colonialism. Dyer also emphasizes the limitations of historical economic models in addressing pressing challenges, including climate change and societal well-being.

Tattoos are not merely decorative; they contain deep meaning for individuals and communities. They document their wearers' personal histories and position in families or society, and they engage with a communal understanding of symbols.Stories on Skin: A Librarian's Guide to Tattoos as Personal Archives (Bloomsbury, 2025) by Terry Baxter & Libby Coyner-Tsosie makes the case that archivists who want to preserve as full a human story as possible must recognize the rich documentation provided by tattoos. It also argues, in a broader sense, that traditional archives are not representative of the ways human beings transmit information through time and that they must be augmented by other types of storytelling to provide a more complete record of our species.Baxter and Coyner-Tsosie touch on timely topics such as historical narratives, storytelling, cultural traditions, the body as a text, social control, and memorialization by considering tattoos as a personal and community archive. Discussing tattoos as a storytelling tool, the authors also challenge how history is kept and who gets included. Stories on Skin is committed to the rights of communities to tell their stories in their own way and to the power that right brings. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda’s interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/sociology

In this episode of International Horizons, RBI director John Torpey speaks with Stephen Hanson and Jeffrey Kopstein, co-authors of The Assault on the State: How the Global Attack on Modern Government Endangers Our Future (Polity Press, 2024). In this conversation, they discuss how today’s right-wing movements, from the United States to Hungary, are waging a new form of politics that undermines the very foundations of the modern, rules-based state. Drawing on Max Weber’s concept of “patrimonialism,” Hanson and Kopstein explore how these leaders erode public trust, demolish impersonal bureaucracies, and replace rational governance with personal loyalty and whim. Along the way, they examine the role of conspiracy theories, the rise of “deep state” narratives, and the uneasy alliances connecting libertarians, Christian nationalists, and advocates of an all-powerful executive. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/sociology

Why are young men leaning right while young women shift left? Hosts Nina dos Santos and Owen Bennett-Jones speak with NYU’s Scott Galloway, political analyst Sophie Stowers, and commentator Oliver Dean to explore the forces behind this growing divide.Whether it’s a broken social contract where young people no longer believe they will lead better, more prosperous lives than their parents or the work of algorithms that feed off rage and division, the implications are profound.This podcast was recorded live at NYU London, in front of an audience of students who are part of a generation searching for increasingly radical solutions to fix society.GuestsScott Galloway is a Professor of Marketing at NYU Stern School of Business where he teaches Brand Strategy and Digital Marketing to second-year MBA students. He is also a Bestselling author, professor and entrepreneur.Sophie Stowers - A Research Associate at UK in a Changing Europe. Her background is in British and European politics, and her research focuses on UK-EU relations, British politics and parties, and public opinion. She previously worked as a Parliamentary Assistant.Oliver Dean a political commentator with Young Voices UK. He studies History and Politics at the London School of Economics and Political Science where he is the Treasurer of the LSE Hayek Society.Producer: Pearse LynchExecutive Producer: Lucinda Knight Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/sociology