The Anthem Companion to Henri Lefebvre - (Anthem Companions to Sociology) by Tilman Schwarze & Matt Dawson (Hardcover)

About the Book

This edited volume explores the sociology of Lefebvre and its continuing relevance for the discipline today. Contributors explore the sociological Lefebvre across a number of topics, including the influence of Marxism, rural sociology, everyday life, the urban, utopia and violence, to name a few.

Book Synopsis

Reassesses Henri Lefebvre's enduring relevance to sociology, examining themes from Marxism to urban life and proposing new directions for Lefebvrian research on rhythm, embodiment and utopian thought

Henri Lefebvre's work, particularly his theory of the production of space, has been remarkably influential historically within geographical research. While this extensive research has shown the continuing relevance of Lefebvre's oeuvre for urban geographical research, Lefebvre's contributions to sociology have been less explored. This is surprising and a missed opportunity, not least because Lefebvre's writings on the urban, space and everyday life were fundamentally informed by and connected to his sociology. This volume responds to this lacuna in sociological engagements with Lefebvre's work, bringing together leading scholars on Lefebvre's sociological work who discuss elements from across his sociological oeuvre. This includes topics for which Lefebvre is well known such as space, rhythm-analysis and Marxism, through to lesser-known topics such as the rural, autogestion, the state and violence and finally to studies which push Lefebvre into new areas such as time, phenomenology and the environment. Therefore, this volume not only achieves a breadth of coverage but also provides fresh insights for those familiar with Lefebvre and new points of interest for those encountering his sociology for the first time. Our volume makes a critical addition to the long list of established and influential Anthem Companions to Sociology by adding a new volume on one of the most influential Marxist sociologists and philosophers of the twentieth century. An engagement with the work of Henri Lefebvre remains indispensable for sociology as this volume shows.

About the Author

Tilman Schwarze is a Lecturer in Criminology at the University of Glasgow. His research explores territorial stigmatisation, urban redevelopment and the production of space.

Matt Dawson is Professor of Sociology at the University of Glasgow with research interests in social theory and the history of sociology.