Frameworks of Power

Frameworks of Power

Publisher
SAGE
Published
2023
Pages
377
ISBN-13
9781526456922
Format
print
Language
English

Frameworks of Power is a coherent and comprehensive account of the different frameworks for understanding power that have been advanced by influential thinkers across the social s…

Book Summary
Frameworks of Power by Stewart R. Clegg is a comprehensive textbook analyzing theories of power from Machiavelli and Hobbes to Foucault. This second edition adds a new chapter applying the circuits of power framework to COVID-19, the Ukraine war, and climate change. Essential for social science students and scholars in sociology, politics, and organization studies seeking a deep understanding of power.
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About Frameworks of Power

Frameworks of Power is a classic, wide-ranging textbook that provides a coherent account of how influential thinkers across the social sciences have understood power. Stewart R. Clegg traces the classical roots of power analysis in Machiavelli and Hobbes, then examines British and American social and political theorists, German Critical Theory, and French thinkers like Foucault. The book develops the circuits of power framework, a central concept of the original edition. This second edition includes a completely new chapter, 'A History of the Present,' which applies that framework to three contemporary crises: the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and climate change. It remains an essential resource for students and scholars in sociology, politics, organization studies, and related disciplines.

Who should read Frameworks of Power?

This book is essential for undergraduate and graduate students in sociology, political science, organization studies, and social theory. Scholars seeking a comprehensive overview of power theories will benefit from its historical scope and the new applications to current crises. Instructors looking for a rigorous textbook on power will find it invaluable. Anyone interested in understanding how power operates in contemporary society, from pandemics to geopolitics, should read this second edition.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • ✓ Comprehensive coverage of major power theorists from Machiavelli to Foucault
  • ✓ Clear and coherent explanation of the circuits of power framework
  • ✓ New chapter applies theory to timely crises like COVID-19 and climate change
  • ✓ Written by a leading scholar in organization studies
  • ✓ Suitable for both students and advanced researchers
Cons
  • ✗ Dense theoretical content may be challenging for beginners
  • ✗ Focus on Western thinkers may limit global perspectives
  • ✗ Some readers may find the new chapter too brief for such complex crises
  • ✗ Assumes prior knowledge of social theory
  • ✗ Limited practical guidance for applying the framework outside academia
Frequently asked questions
Is this book suitable for undergraduates?
Yes, it is written as an essential textbook for social science students, though some prior knowledge of social theory is helpful.
What is new in the second edition?
The second edition includes a completely new chapter, 'A History of the Present,' which applies the circuits of power framework to COVID-19, the Ukraine war, and climate change.
Does the book cover Foucault?
Yes, it includes analysis of French theorists such as Foucault, along with British, American, and German Critical Theory perspectives.
Is this a workbook or test prep book?
No, it is a textbook and scholarly analysis, not a workbook or test prep guide.
What is the circuits of power framework?
It is a conceptual model developed by Clegg to analyze how power operates through episodic, dispositional, and facilitative circuits in organizations and society.

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