Anthony Giddens

Director of the London School of Economics (1997-2003)

Prolific Author & the Most Widely Cited Sociologist in the World Today

anthony giddens
English

Appointed as Director of the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) in 1997, Anthony Giddens was previously a Fellow & Professor of Sociology at King′s College, Cambridge.

Among his 34 books are The Third Way: The Renewal of Social Democracy, The Third Way and It′s Critics, and Runaway World: How Globalization is Reshaping Our Lives.  There is a substantial body of academic writing and criticism about his work. He co-founded the academic publishing house Polity Press in 1985 and in 1999 was the BBC Reith Lecturer.

In particular, Anthony Giddens developed the theory of structurization, which is the understanding of the relationship between individuals and the conditions around them. We should view life in society as a series of ongoing activities and practices that people carry on, but which at the same time reproduce larger institutions.

Most recently he has been at the forefront of developing ideas in left of centre politics. Anthony Giddens has helped to popularise the idea of the ′Third Way′. The Third Way represents the renewal of social democracy in a world where the views of the old left have become obsolete, while those of the new right are inadequate and contradictory. A new social democratic agenda is emerging that is integrated, robust and wide-ranging, which can also rekindle political idealism. Anthony Giddens has travelled to many countries around the world talking to political leaders and heads of state about the development of third way politics.

Frequently referred to as Tony Blair′s guru, Professor Giddens has made a strong impact on the evolution of New Labour.

Modernity, Post-Modernity and the Post-Traditional

The Theory of "Structuration"

The Third Way; Left or Right... or what?

The Renewal of Democracy

Politics of Climate Change

Climate change differs from any other problem that, as collective humanity, we face today. If it goes unchecked, the consequences are likely to be catastrophic for human life on earth. Yet for most people, and for many policy–makers too, it tends to be a back of the mind issue. We recognise its importance and even its urgency, but for the most part it is swamped by more immediate concerns. Politicians have woken up to the dangers, but at the moment their responses are mainly on the level of gesture rather than being, as they have to be, both concrete and radical.

Political action and intervention, on local, national and international levels, is going to have a decisive effect on whether or not we can limit global warming, as well as how we adapt to that already occurring. At the moment, however, Anthony Giddens argues controversially, we do not have a systematic politics of climate change. Politics–as–usual won t allow us to deal with the problems we face, while the recipes of the main challenger to orthodox politics, the green movement, are flawed at source. Giddens introduces a range of new concepts and proposals to fill in the gap, and examines in depth the connections between climate change and energy security.

Politics of Climate Change

Sociology

The seventh edition of this indispensable resource continues from strength to strength to provide a vibrant, engaging and authoritative introduction to sociology.

Revised and updated throughout, it provides a commanding overview of recent global developments and new ideas in sociology. Classic debates are also given careful coverage, with even the most complex ideas explained in an engaging way.

Written in a fluent, easy–to–follow style, the book manages to be intellectually rigorous but still very accessible. With a strong focus on interactive pedagogy, it aims to engage and excite readers, helping them to see the value of thinking sociologically.

Sociology

Turbulent and Mighty Continent: What Future for Europe

A "United States of Europe", Winston Churchill proposed in 1946, could "as if by a miracle transform" that "turbulent and mighty continent". "In this way only", he continued, "will hundreds of millions of toilers be able to regain the simple joys and hopes which make life worth living".

Today, nearly seventy years later, over 500 million people live in the member states of the European Union a greater number than in any other political community save for China and India. The currency of the Union, the euro, is used in economic transactions world–wide. Yet the EU is mired in the greatest crisis of its history, one that threatens its very existence as an entity able to have an impact upon world affairs. Europe no longer seems so mighty, instead but faces the threat of becoming an irrelevant backwater or, worse, once again the scene of turbulent conflicts. Divisions are arising all over Europe, while the popularity of the Union sinks. How can this situation be turned around?

Now published as a revised and updated paperback that takes account of the May 2014 elections to the European Parliament, Turbulent and Mighty Continent makes a powerful case for a far–reaching and fundamental renewal of the European project as a whole.

Turbulent and Mighty Continent: What Future for Europe

Essential Concepts in Sociology

Social life is in a constant process of change, and sociology cannot afford to stand still. Sociology today is theoretically diverse, covers a huge range of subjects and draws on a broad array of research methods. Central to this endeavour is the use of core concepts and ideas which allow sociologists to make sense of societies, though our understanding of these concepts is constantly evolving and changing.

This clear and jargon–free book introduces a careful selection of essential concepts that have helped to shape sociology, and others that continue to do so. Going beyond brief, dictionary–style definitions, Anthony Giddens and Philip W. Sutton provide an extended discussion of each concept which sets it into historical and theoretical context, explores its main meanings in use, introduces some relevant criticisms, and points readers to its ongoing development in contemporary research and theorizing.

Organized in ten thematic sections, the book offers a portrait of sociology through its essential concepts ranging from capitalism, identity and deviance to citizenship, the environment and intersectionality. It will be essential reading for all those new to sociology, as well as those seeking a reliable route map for a rapidly changing world.

Essential Concepts in Sociology

The Third Way: The Renewal of Social Democracy

he idea of finding a ′third way′ in politics has been widely discussed over recent months – not only in the UK, but in the US, Continental Europe and Latin America. But what is the third way? Supporters of the notion haven′t been able to agree, and critics deny the possibility altogether. Anthony Giddens shows that developing a third way is not only a possibility but a necessity in modern politics.

The Third Way: The Renewal of Social Democracy