Description: Drawing on long-term empirical research into cultural practices, lifestyles and identities, Globalization and Belonging explores how far-reaching global changes are articulated locally.
The authors address key sociological issues of stratification as analysis alongside ′cultural′ issues of identity, difference, choice and lifestyle. Their original argument:
- Shows how globalisation theory conceives of the ′local′
- Reveals that people have a sense of elective belonging based on where they choose to put down roots
- Suggests that the feel of a place is much more strongly influenced by the values and lifestyles of those migrating to it
- Reinvigorates debates in urban and community studies by recovering the ′local′ as an intrinsic aspect of globalisation
Theoretically rigorous, the book is brought to life with direct quotations from the authors′ research which greatly increases its appeal to students.
Brief description: Professor Brian Longhurst is a sociologist who has long standing interests in cultural studies, media studies and the sociology of culture. His books include Popular Music and Society (Polity Press, 1995, 2007), The Penguin Dictionary of Media Studies (co-authored, 2007), Globalization and Belonging (co-authored, Sage, 2005), Introducing Cultural Studies (co-authored, Pearson, 1999, 2004) and Audiences: A Sociological Theory of Performance and Imagination (co-authored 1998). He has held research grants from various bodies including ESRC and EPSRC and has published widely in a range of journals and edited collections. He was formerly Head of the School of English, Sociology, Politics & Contemporary History (ESPaCH), Associate Dean for Research and Director of the Institute for Social Research, all at the University of Salford. He has been a Director of Salford′s prize winning initiative, Community Finance Solutions and was the founding Chair of the Board of East Lancs Moneyline (ELM), a successful Community Reinvestment Trust.