New Books in Sociology

In this insightful discussion, Dr. Runya Qiaoan, an assistant professor and senior researcher specializing in Chinese civil society, delves into the complex dynamics of NGOs under authoritarian rule. She explains the innovative strategies activists use to advocate for change, particularly through the concept of 'cultural resonance,' where goals align with culturally accepted values. Topics include the challenges faced by NGOs, the impact of new laws, and the importance of leveraging cultural narratives to foster social advocacy in contemporary China.

Risa Cromer, an Associate Professor of Anthropology at Purdue University, dives into the complex world of embryo adoption, rooted in the desires of white pro-life evangelicals. She discusses how embryo adoption intersects with reproductive politics, nationalism, and white saviorism, revealing its push to redefine personhood. Cromer's six-year ethnographic research uncovers the emotional experiences of donors and recipients while highlighting the political motivations that drive this movement. Her insights offer a critical lens on the broader implications for reproductive rights and the Christian Right's influence.

Frank R. Baumgartner, a political science professor at UNC Chapel Hill and co-author of "Suspect Citizens", explores the implications of the landmark Terry v. Ohio case on modern policing. He discusses his analysis of 20 million traffic stops, revealing alarming racial disparities where Black drivers are disproportionately targeted. The conversation delves into the impact of political power on policing practices and highlights successful community reforms in Fayetteville, showing how trust can be rebuilt through genuine public safety efforts.

Lynnette Arnold, an Assistant Professor of Anthropology at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, dives into the intricate world of transnational family dynamics. She discusses how Salvadoran families maintain bonds across borders using concepts like convivencia and communicative care. Arnold highlights adaptive methodologies in research and the pivotal role of language in emotional support. She also explores the nuances of digital communication, revealing gender dynamics and the complexities of navigating care amidst geopolitical challenges.

Fazil Moradi, a Visiting Associate Professor at the University of Johannesburg and an expert on political violence, discusses his groundbreaking book on the Anfāl operations in Iraq. He delves into the concept of 'anthropological hospitality,' emphasizing the need for researchers to honor survivor narratives. Moradi also highlights the powerful links between art and trauma, reflecting on how creativity emerges from conflict. Exploring themes of justice, gender, and collective memory, he offers a profound look at the resilience of those affected by state-sanctioned violence.

In this engaging discussion, Dr. Alyssa Paredes, an Assistant Professor of Anthropology at the University of Michigan, dives into the intricate world of Southeast Asia's banana plantations. She reveals the historical and socio-economic challenges faced by local communities, highlighting labor exploitation and environmental degradation. Dr. Paredes also explores the intersection of agriculture and capitalism, emphasizing indigenous struggles for land rights and the need for sustainable practices. Her insights illuminate the complex ties between commodification, colonialism, and multi-species relationships.

Kristina Kolbe, an assistant professor at Erasmus University Rotterdam, dives into the complexities of diversity in classical music. She discusses how superficial diversity efforts often fail amid entrenched elitism. Kolbe highlights the fragility of inclusivity initiatives, especially during the pandemic, which exacerbated existing inequalities. Through a detailed case study, she reveals both the successes and challenges of promoting diversity in opera, particularly for marginalized communities. This critical exploration sheds light on the urgent need for genuine institutional change.

Michael J. Thompson, a political theory professor and author, dives into his book, highlighting the erosion of dialectical consciousness in modern society. He critiques contemporary social reason, exposing how technical management eclipses ethical values, leading to nihilism. Thompson connects historical dialectical thought to crises of individuality and creativity, asserting the need for phronetic criticism to reestablish meaningful societal values. He advocates for a critical approach rooted in human experience, offering fresh insights into contemporary ethical challenges.

Francesco Piraino’s Sufism in Europe: Islam, Esotericism and the New Age (University of Edinburgh Press, 2024) is a vital contribution to the growing field of Sufism in the Global North which often encompasses studies of North America and western Europe. This monograph study, the first focused study of Sufism in Italy and France, uses ethnographic data and sociological analysis to map and situate various Sufi communities in Paris and Milan, along with transnational flows of these communities across Morocco, Algeria, and Cyprus. At the heart of these case studies is the question of how to approach and study Sufi communities across an ever diversifying social, religious/spiritual, and political landscape and across categorical commitments such as New Age, New Religious Movements, esotericism, diasporic Islam, Traditionalism and mysticism. Piraino argues for the limitations and utilities of these various categories, and ultimately helps us shift our focus to to the everyday embodied ebbs and flows of a variety of Italian and French Sufi communities to showcase how these terms should be used with fluidity to reflect the lived realities of his interlocutors. This book will be of interest to scholars of contemporary Sufism, sociology of Islam, contemporary Islam, Islam in Europe and much more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/sociology

Why liberalism is all you need to lead a good, fun, worthy, and rewarding life—and how you can become a better and happier person by taking your liberal beliefs more seriouslyWhere do you get your values and sensibilities from? If you grew up in a Western democracy, the answer is probably liberalism. Conservatives are right about one thing: liberalism is the ideology of our times, as omnipresent as religion once was. Yet, as Alexandre Lefebvre argues in Liberalism as a Way of Life (Princeton UP, 2024), many of us are liberal without fully realizing it—or grasping what it means. Misled into thinking that liberalism is confined to politics, we fail to recognize that it’s the water we swim in, saturating every area of public and private life, shaping our psychological and spiritual outlooks, and influencing our moral and aesthetic values—our sense of what is right, wrong, good, bad, funny, worthwhile, and more. This eye-opening book shows how so many of us are liberal to the core, why liberalism provides the basis for a good life, and how we can make our lives better and happier by becoming more aware of, and more committed to, the beliefs we already hold.A lively, engaging, and uplifting guide to living well, the liberal way, Liberalism as a Way of Life is filled with examples from television, movies, stand-up comedy, and social media—from Parks and Recreation and The Good Place to the Borat movies and Hannah Gadsby. Along the way, you’ll also learn about seventeen benefits of being a liberal—including generosity, humor, cheer, gratitude, tolerance, and peace of mind—and practical exercises to increase these rewards.Alexandre Lefebvre is Professor of Politics and Philosophy at The University of Sydney. He teaches and researches in political theory, the history of political thoughtMorteza Hajizadeh is a Ph.D. graduate in English from the University of Auckland in New Zealand. His research interests are Cultural Studies; Critical Theory; Environmental History; Medieval (Intellectual) History; Gothic Studies; 18th and 19th Century British Literature. YouTube channel. Twitter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/sociology