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Sociologists and the financial crisis - Against security

Laurie Taylor discusses a new book which argues that heightened security measures damage the dignity of daily life. Also, sociology and the financial crisis.

Are the stringent checks at airports really for our benefit? 'Against Security', a new book by the acclaimed American sociologist, Harvey Molotch, explores the complex systems which are designed to make us feel safe in public places. He tells Laurie Taylor why he thinks that security measures in airports and subways, post 9.11, have damaged the pleasure and dignity of our daily lives. They're joined by the design critic, Stephen Bayley. Also, Sociology's failure to address the financial crisis. The social scientist, Alberto Toscano's paper 'Reformism and Melancholia' argues that the twin spectres of Fordism and Keynesianism have prevented sociologists from imagining a future beyond austerity.

Producer: Jayne Egerton.

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28 minutes

Last on

Mon 22 Oct 2012 00:15
ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

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Alberto Toscano

Senior Lecturer in Sociology at Goldsmiths UniversityΜύ

Μύ

paper β€œReformism and Melancholia: Fordist Ghosts, Keynesian Spectres and Representation of the Crisis”, which was presented at the one day BSA seminar on the financial crisis onΜύ 8th October 2012

ΜύΜύ

Fanaticism: On The Uses of an Idea

Publisher: Verso

ISBN-10: 184467424X

ISBN-13: 978-1844674244

Μύ

Find out more about

Μύ

Harvey Molotch

Professor of Sociology, Metropolitan Studies and Social and Cultural Analysis at New York UniversityΜύΜύ

Μύ

Against Security, How We Go Wrong at Airports, Subways and Other Sites of Ambiguous Danger

Publisher: Princeton University Press

ISBN-10: 069115581X

ISBN-13: 978-0691155814

Μύ

Find out more about Professor

Stephen Bayley

Designer, Design critic, Cultural Critic and AuthorΜύ

Μύ

Ugly: The Aesthetics of Everything

Publisher: Goodman Books

ISBN-10: 1847960367

ISBN-13: 978-1847960368

Μύ

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Broadcasts

  • Wed 17 Oct 2012 16:00
    ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
  • Mon 22 Oct 2012 00:15
    ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

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ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Thinking Allowed is produced in partnership with The Open University

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