An accessible introduction to the work of the leading French social and cultural theorist Pierre Bourdieu.
You name it, Pierre Bourdieu has written about it. Now considered one of the most influential thinkers of the 20th century, he has left his mark on most of the "big" theoretical issues in the world of contemporary theory: gender, subjectivity, the body, culture, citizenship, and globalisation. His terms are now commonplace: "social capital", "cultural capital", "field", and "habitus".
Bourdieu examines how people conduct their lives in relation to one another and to major social institutions. He argues that culture and education aren't simply minor influences, but as important as economics in determining differences between groups of people.
Unlike the other grand systematisers Marx and Foucault, Bourdieu has tested these arguments in detailed fieldwork. His range is eclectic, his vision is vast, and his writing is often dense and challenging. 'Understanding Bourdieu' offers a comprehensive introduction to Bourdieu's work. It is essential reading for anyone tackling him for the first time.
