Do Americans live in a liberal capitalist society, where evenhanded competition rules the day, or a society in which big money, private security, and personal relations determine key social outcomes? Vladimir Shlapentokh and Joshua Woods argue that the answer to these questions cannot be found among the conventional models used to describe the nation. Offering a new analytical tool, the authors present a provocative explanation of the nature of contemporary society by comparing its essential characteristics to those of ...
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Do Americans live in a liberal capitalist society, where evenhanded competition rules the day, or a society in which big money, private security, and personal relations determine key social outcomes? Vladimir Shlapentokh and Joshua Woods argue that the answer to these questions cannot be found among the conventional models used to describe the nation. Offering a new analytical tool, the authors present a provocative explanation of the nature of contemporary society by comparing its essential characteristics to those of medieval European societies. Their feudal model emphasizes five elements: the weakness of the state and its inability to protect its territory, guarantee the security of its citizens, and enforce laws; conflicts and collusions between and within organizations that involve corruption and other forms of illegal or semilegal actions; the dominance of personal relations in political and economic life; the prevalence of an elitist ideology; and the use of private agents and organizations for the provision of safety and security. Feudal America urges readers to suspend their forward-thinking and futurist orientations, question linear notions of social and historical progression, and look for explanations of contemporary social problems in medieval European history.
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Seller's Description:
Very good in very good dust jacket. Ex-library. Sewn binding. Cloth over boards. With dust jacket. 170 p. Contains: Illustrations, black & white. Audience: General/trade. LCCN 2010039062 Type of material Book Personal name Shlapentokh, Vladimir. Main title Feudal America: elements of the Middle Ages in contemporary society / Vladimir Shlapentokh and Joshua Woods. Published/Created University Park, Pa. : Pennsylvania State University Press, c2011. Description x, 170 p.; 24 cm. ISBN 9780271037813 (cloth: alk. paper) 0271037814 (cloth: alk. paper) LC classification HN59.2. S55 2011 Related names Woods, Joshua. Summary "Uses a feudal model to analyze contemporary American society, comparing its essential characteristics to those of medieval European societies"--Provided by publisher. Contents The feudal model in social analysis: from medieval Europe to contemporary America--Feudal, liberal, and authoritarian models as tools for analyzing the middle ages and contemporary American society--Big money and corporations as promoters of feudal tendencies--The feudal model and the organizational level of analysis--Private coercion: a feudal aspect of contemporary American society--Personal relations in American politics and business: a feudal phenomenon. LC Subjects United States--Social conditions--21st century. United States--Politics and government--21st century. United States--Economic conditions--21st century. Notes Includes bibliographical references and index. Dewey class no. 306.0973/09051 Geographic area code n-us---Other system no. (OCoLC)ocn664840082
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Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used textbooks may not include companion materials such as access codes, etc. May have some wear or writing/highlighting. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
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Seller's Description:
Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used textbooks may not include companion materials such as access codes, etc. May have some wear or writing/highlighting. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
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Seller's Description:
Very good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
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Seller's Description:
Very good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
