Raymond Williams on culture and society : essential writings / edited by Jim McGuigan.

Include bibliography reference and indexes.

Table of Contents

About the Authors vii
Acknowledgements ix
Further Acknowledgements xi
Introduction -- Raymond Williams on Culture and xv
Society
1 Culture is Ordinary 1 (18)
2 Mass, Masses and Mass Communication 19 (8)
3 Structure of Feeling and Selective 27 (30)
Tradition
4 Advertising -- The Magic System 57 (28)
5 Communication Systems 85 (8)
6 The Idea of a Common Culture 93 (8)
7 Social Darwinism 101(18)
8 Base and Superstructure in Marxist 119(20)
Cultural Theory
9 The Technology and the Society 139(22)
10 Drama in a Dramatized Society 161(12)
11 Communications as Cultural Science 173(12)
12 Developments in the Sociology of Culture 185(14)
13 Realism and Non-naturalism 199(8)
14 A Lecture on Realism 207(16)
15 Means of Communication as Means of 223(14)
Production
16 `Industrial' and `Post-Industrial' 237(20)
Society
17 The Culture of Nations 257(22)
18 Resources for a Journey of Hope 279(26)
19 State Culture and Beyond 305(8)
20 The Future of Cultural Studies 313(14)
Index 327

"The most important Marxist cultural theorist after Gramsci, Williams' contributions go well beyond the critical tradition, supplying insights of great significance for cultural sociology today...I have never read Williams without finding something worthwhile, something subtle, some idea of great importance" - Jeffrey C. Alexander, Professor of Sociology, Yale University Celebrating the significant intellectual legacy and enduring influence of Raymond Williams, this exciting collection introduces a whole new generation to his work. Jim McGuigan reasserts and rebalances Williams' reputation within the social sciences by collecting and introducing key pieces of his work. Providing context and clarity he powerfully evokes the major contribution Williams has made to sociology, media and communication and cultural studies.Powerfully asserting the on-going relevance of Williams within our contemporary neoliberal and digital age, the book: * Includes texts which have never been anthologised before * Situates Williams' work both biographically and historically * Provides a comprehensive introduction to Williams' social-scientific work * Demonstrates the enduring relevance of cultural materialism. Original and persuasive this book will be of interest to anyone involved in theoretical and methodological modules within sociology, media and communication studies and cultural studies.