Full Description
Chris Shilling and Philip A. Mellor argue that recent developments in social character are key to explaining the sectarian tribalism that has afflicted American and European societies in recent decades.
Building upon one of the most influential books of the twentieth century, David Riesman's The Lonely Crowd, the authors explore the social and economic conditions that have resulted in a 'thinning' of empathy and mutual identification, the significance of inequalities and social movements in stimulating the emergence of identity-directedness, and the opportunity-directed exploitation of dynamic social change, risk and uncertainty. Reflecting on an era marked by intensifying conflict, Social Character, Tribalism and Society asks whether it is possible that a 'saving remnant' could emerge from the characterological struggle that is fraying the social fabric and threatening to destabilise social order.
Contents
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1: Introduction: The Characterological Struggle
Chapter 2: Inner-directedness: Frontiers, Pioneers, and Cowboys
Chapter 3: Other-directedness: The Limits of Mutual Identification
Chapter 4: Identity-directedness: From Equality to Tribalism
Chapter 5: Opportunity-directedness: Arbitraging Uncertainty
Chapter 6: Conclusion: Social Order and the Future of Social Character
References
Index
About the Authors
