What Makes a Social Crisis? The Societalization of Social Problems

Abstract

<p>This short book-cum-essay by one of the USA's leading social theorists is part of a larger project, announced by Alexander in 2006, 1 of establishing the "civil sphere" as a key tool of social theory. As was noted at the time, the term is a composite of "civil society" and "public sphere". 2 Like its component elements, it is intended to serve both analytical and normative ends. Analytically, it identifies a sphere beyond the economy and the state. Normatively, it delineates a space in which shared societal concerns with justice and solidarity trump the everyday business of utility maximization and the struggle for power resources.</p>