Liberation Sociology

One of the tragedies of any society is the failure of its people and leaders to understand the real social problems confronting them. Over the coming decades the United States is demonstrably on a path of increasing social conflict, accentuated class and racial inequalities, and likely social chaos and collapse. The social and economic contradictions of U.S. capitalism, racism, sexism, and homophobia are clear to those who will look closely now. Yet, these social oppressions and inequalities are rationalized by leading politicians, media commentators, and intellectuals, often with open attacks on the principles of equality that theoretically underlie U.S. institutions. This state of affairs need not be a cause for extreme pessimism, for progressive change remains possible, as people's movements have long shown. The United States and the world can become better places, socially and economically, for all people. Change has been brought about by citizen action in the past, and it can be brought about in the future. Joe Feagin and Hernan Vera argue that citizen action can be assisted by what they call "liberation sociology"--a tool to dramatically increase democratic participation in the production and implementation of knowledge and the creation of better human societies. Liberation sociology takes the perspective of those seeking liberation from oppressive conditions--the majority of the world's people. Its aim is to assist those struggling to eliminate all forms of human oppression. The book offers both a theoretical analysis and case studies of liberation social science as reflected in actual practice and explains that the same sociological methods that are used to defend oppression can be used instead to liberate human beings.