Intellectuals and their Publics

'This exciting and provocative collection takes up the contemporary challenges facing intellectuals from an historical and biographical perspective. A stimulating book sure to ignite controversy about the fraught relation of intellectuals to their publics.' Michael Burawoy, University of California, USA 'Have 'intellectuals' disappeared, replaced by 'experts' in an age dominated by the mass media? Does the idea of the 'public' still make sense in such an age? This book provides a magisterial survey of these and other key questions concerning the practical impact of intellectual reflection.' Anthony Giddens, Former Director of the London School of Economics and Political Science, UK 'Public intellectuals play a crucial role today, both in nearly every country of the world and at a global level. Contributors to this book bring social science research to bear on national differences and historical changes in the relationship of intellectuals to different publics and issues. They show how changes in media, democratic institutions, and academic fields have all influenced the ways in which intellectuals inform public debates. This is timely and important.' Craig Calhoun, President of the Social Science Research Council and New York University, USA. '...the contributors offer a sobering reminder that some of those listening most intently to academics' views have been the people with guns, grudges, gulags and an extremely dim view of intellectual freedom...there may be no more loin-girding way to start the year' The Times Higher Education '...there are many interesting observations and reflections in this collection, which can contribute to an understanding of the pressing question of the role of public intellectuals in history and in contemporary public life.' American Journal of Sociology