This book is arguably the definitive undergraduate textbook on contemporary social theory. Written by one of the world’s most acclaimed social theorists, Anthony Elliott provides a dazzlingly accessible and comprehensive introduction to modern social theory from the Frankfurt School to globalization theories and beyond.

In distilling the essentials of social theory, Elliott reviews the works of major theorists including Theodor Adorno, Herbert Marcuse, Michel Foucault, Jacques Lacan, Jacques Derrida, Anthony Giddens, Pierre Bourdieu, Julia Kristeva, Jurgen Habermas, Judith Butler, Slavoj Zizek, Manuel Castells, Ulrich Beck, Zygmunt Bauman, Giorgio Agamben and Manuel De Landa.

Every social theorist discussed is contextualized in a wider political and historical context, and from which their major contributions to social theory are critically assessed. This book is essential reading for students and professionals in the fields of social theory, sociology and cultural studies, as it is both an original enquiry and a consummate introduction to social theory.

Anthony Elliott was appointed Professor of Sociology at Flinders University in 2006, where he is currently Head of Department. He has previously served as Associate Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) at Flinders.

Professor Elliott is also Visiting Research Professor in the Department of Sociology at the Open University, UK, and in addition Visiting Professor, Department of Sociology, University College Dublin, Ireland, 2010-2013. In 2010, he will be Visiting Fellow at the Centre for Research Mobilities, Lancaster University, UK.

He was formerly Chair of Sociology at the University of Kent at Canterbury 2004-6, and prior to that Foundation Director of the Centre for Critical Theory at the University of the West of England (UWE), UK between 2000-2004.