Social Performance: Symbolic Action, Cultural Pragmatics, and Ritual

doi:10.1017/CBO9780511616839

Jeffrey C. Alexander brings together new and leading contributors to make a powerful and coherently argued case for a new direction in cultural sociology, one that focuses on the intersection between performance, ritual and social action. Performance has always been used by sociologists to understand the social world but this volume offers the first systematic analytical framework based on the performance metaphor to explain large-scale social and cultural processes. From September 11, to the Clinton/Lewinsky affair, to the role of the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Social Performance draws on recent work in performative theory in the humanities and in cultural studies to offer a novel approach to the sociology of culture. Inspired by the theories of Austin, Derrida, Durkheim, Goffman, and Turner, this is a path-breaking volume that makes a major contribution to the field. It will appeal to scholars and students alike.

'Truly a groundbreaking work, and is absolutely essential reading for anyone interested in the understanding of modern social and political action.'

Marvin Carlson Source: TDR: The Drama Review

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Contents

Frontmatter
pp i-viii
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Contents
pp ix-x
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List of figures
pp xi-xi
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List of tables
pp xii-xii
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List of contributors
pp xiii-xvi
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Introduction: symbolic action in theory and practice: the cultural pragmatics of symbolic action
pp 1-28
- By Jeffrey C. Alexander, Lillian Chavenson Saden Professor of Sociology and also Chair of the Sociology Department, Yale University, Jason L. Mast, Doctoral Candidate in Sociology and a Visiting Fellow, University of California, Los Angeles and Yale University
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1 - Cultural pragmatics: social performance between ritual and strategy
pp 29-90
- By Jeffrey C. Alexander, Lillian Chavenson Saden Professor of Sociology and also Chair of the Sociology Department, Yale University
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2 - From the depths of despair: performance, counterperformance, and “September 11”
pp 91-114
- By Jeffrey C. Alexander, Lillian Chavenson Saden Professor of Sociology and also Chair of the Sociology Department, Yale University
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3 - The cultural pragmatics of event-ness: the Clinton / Lewinsky affair
pp 115-145
- By Jason L. Mast, Doctoral Candidate in Sociology, University of California, Los Angeles; Visiting fellow, Yale University
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4 - Social dramas, shipwrecks, and cockfights: conflict and complicity in social performance
pp 146-168
- By Isaac Reed, Doctoral Candidate in Sociology, Yale University
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5 - Performing a “new” nation: the role of the TRC in South Africa
pp 169-192
- By Tanya Goodman, Visiting Lecturer, Yale Law School
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6 - Performing opposition or, how social movements move
pp 193-217
- By Ron Eyerman, Professor of Sociology and Co-Director (with Jeffrey Alexander) of the Center for Cultural Sociology, Yale University
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7 - Politics as theatre: an alternative view of the rationalities of power
pp 218-256
- By David E. Apter, Henry J. Heinz Professor Emeritus of Comparative Political and Social Development and Senior Research Scientist, Yale University
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8 - Symbols in action: Willy Brandt's kneefall at the Warsaw Memorial
pp 257-282
- By Valentin Rauer, Research Fellow in an interdisciplinary research group “Norms and Symbols”, University of Konstanz (Germany)
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9 - The promise of performance and the problem of order
pp 283-314
- By Kay Junge, Assistant Professor in the Department of History and Sociology, University of Konstanz
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10 - Performance art
pp 315-324
- By Bernhard Giesen, Chair for macro-sociology in the Department of History and Sociology, University of Konstanz (Germany)
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11 - Performing the sacred: a Durkheimian perspective on the performative turn in the social sciences
pp 325-367
- By Bernhard Giesen, Chair for macro-sociology in the Department of History and Sociology, University of Konstanz (Germany); Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology, Yale University
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Index
pp 368-374
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Cambridge Cultural Social Studies
pp 375-375
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Social Performance

Symbolic Action, Cultural Pragmatics, and Ritual

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Contents

Frontmatter
pp i-viii

Contents
pp ix-x

List of figures
pp xi-xi

List of tables
pp xii-xii

List of contributors
pp xiii-xvi

Introduction: symbolic action in theory and practice: the cultural pragmatics of symbolic action
pp 1-28

1 - Cultural pragmatics: social performance between ritual and strategy
pp 29-90

2 - From the depths of despair: performance, counterperformance, and “September 11”
pp 91-114

3 - The cultural pragmatics of event-ness: the Clinton / Lewinsky affair
pp 115-145

4 - Social dramas, shipwrecks, and cockfights: conflict and complicity in social performance
pp 146-168

5 - Performing a “new” nation: the role of the TRC in South Africa
pp 169-192

6 - Performing opposition or, how social movements move
pp 193-217

7 - Politics as theatre: an alternative view of the rationalities of power
pp 218-256

8 - Symbols in action: Willy Brandt's kneefall at the Warsaw Memorial
pp 257-282

9 - The promise of performance and the problem of order
pp 283-314

10 - Performance art
pp 315-324

11 - Performing the sacred: a Durkheimian perspective on the performative turn in the social sciences
pp 325-367

Index
pp 368-374

Cambridge Cultural Social Studies
pp 375-375

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Social Performance

Symbolic Action, Cultural Pragmatics, and Ritual

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