Sociology and Social Justice

An excellent set of chapters that bring to the fore new perspectives on the persistence of social injustices and inequalities facing a contemporary world in crisis. The book is theoretically and empirically rigorous, and integrates compelling and thought-provoking scenarios from various parts of the world.

-- Prof Kammila Naidoo, Department of Sociology, University of Johannesburg
This very impressive collection, edited by Margaret Abraham, reinvigorates the criticality of the social in sociology via its exploration of the global, contextualised, terrain of social justice. Through the scholarship of its authors, all internationally leading sociologists, the book reconceptualises social justice as a centre of sociological action, as a disciplinary enterprise of deploying our knowledges and resources towards creating a more just world.
Within and across the beautifully written chapters, the book positions social injustice as systemic and structurally embedded, intrinsically linked to the pervasive influence of neoliberal globalization. The various manifestations of contemporary global social injustice, inclusive of human rights breaches, labour exploitation, ongoing gender violence, the breakdown of democracies, the consequences of the bankrupting of nation states, the increasing concentrations of wealth and, of inequality, across its many guises, are reframed. The injustices identified and theorised, while all exhibiting specific, cultural geographical, historical, economic and political contexts, are shown as not just a series of separate subordinations but connected, part of an overarching social phenomenon.
The book reminds us that it is not enough for sociology to offer research insights into social injustice, or even be committed to social justice. Rather our discipline by its nature and its history is tasked with publicly taking the lead in challenging social injustices while simultaneously championing the enactment of social justice. That obligation, at the global, national and local levels, is required as much now as it ever was. -- Prof Maggie Walter, Department of Sociology, University of Tasmania
This volume superbly conceptualises and contextualises social justice in and for our global age. The stellar cast of sociologists brought together by Professor Abraham connect concepts to practices and outline the challenges we face as well as providing necessary responses to them. This is public sociology at its most engaged and should be vital reading for all those concerned with the complexity of social problems and forms of inequality that increasingly disfigure our societies. -- Professor Gurminder K Bhambra, University of Sussex
A collection of brilliant essays authored by an international group of respected scholar-activists, which examine concepts and practices of social justice from diverse contexts. This is a must-read for anyone engaged in public sociology and interested in using their teaching, research and actions toward building a more just society. -- Mary Romero, Professor of Justice Studies and Social Inquiry, Arizona State Univer