Suitable for scholars of sociology, political science and social and legal theory, this title explores the manner in which legitimization can be constructed by people, groups or institutions under the contemporary pressures and possibilities of modern world society.
Emerging traits of late global modernity such as transnationalism, multiculturalism, individualization and supranational contexts of action raise the question of what holds society together. Responses have typically made reference to legitimization, but the modern world presents challenges to such responses, for in such a differentiated, globalized setting, legitimization can no longer appeal to the previous national, ideological or religious foundations of early modernity. From a variety of theoretical and empirical perspectives, this book explores the manner in which legitimization can be constructed by people, groups or institutions under the contemporary pressures and possibilities of modern world society. Drawing on cosmopolitan theory, postcolonial sociology, systems theory, and historical sociology, it engages with questions of human rights, processes of individualization and the constitution of transnational spaces in its examination of the challenges to legitimization. As such, it will be of interest to scholars of sociology, political science and social and legal theory, concerned with questions of globalization and the problems of social cohesion and legitimacy.
'With the turn of the new century, a change in the global consciousness of social problems, and the conditions for their legitimacy, has taken place. Anyone who still has doubts about it should read this book. Theoretically diverse and thematically consistent, Legitimization in World Society offers a refreshing sociological approach to the normative and structural problems of the modern global society.' Otfried Höffe, Tübingen University, Germany 'An excellent collection of contributions to the vital issue of contemporary legitimization. A central aspect of the book is that processes of legitimization are situated within a definite awareness of globality. This is a major step in the coordination of the concepts of globality and modernity.' Roland Robertson, University of Pittsburgh, USA and University of Aberdeen, UK
