"The book is structured around several interrelated themes: the implications of globalization on nation-state sovereignty; the role of social movements in advancing a new cultural politics; citizenship reconsidered by taking into account the respective roles of race and ethnicity, social class, gender, and sexual orientation; and competing visions regarding the democratic prospect. Nash's approach is to offer overviews of the work of particular theorists, raise certain problems, and relate these to other theorists. The result is an excellent survey of the theoretical landscape." P. Kivisto, Augustana College, Illinois. "this is a most thorough and refreshingly unorthodox outline of 'new political sociology' and marks a paradigmatic shift away form the traditional focus on authority, nation-state, party, class, and domination. Nash sets a new cultural-political focus on discursive power, identity politics, and democratization." Jan Pakulski, University of Tasmania "this is a superb book which should become standard reading for students and scholars alike.

It is, at once, a clear and accessible introduction to the new political sociology and an important argument in its own right. Above all, Nash demonstrates the significance of contemporary political sociology as a response to , and resource for, political action." David Owen, University of Southampton "This text offers a perspective on the 'new' political sociology for the next generation of students and professors. Addressing the key debates of the time, Nash surveys the field with great intelligence ad insight. I couldn't imagine a better critical introduction to contemporary politics and society." Steven Seidman, State University of new York at Albany.