Radical Interactionism on the Rise

This issue focuses on "radical interactionism," which recent emergence as an alternative perspective to conventional symbolic interactionism has sparked fierce debate in both North America and Europe. Lonnie Athens discusses the four fundamental differences between radical and conventional symbolic interactionism. The prominent scholars compare the relative insights offered not only between radical interactionism and symbolic interactionism, but between radical interactionism and feminism, dramaturgy, critical studies, and neo-pragmatism. Without exception, they found the radical interactionism revealed new and formidable insights that improved our general understanding of human group life and critical problems that arise during it. While some contributors believe that radical interactionism marks the development of a new and more vibrant form of interactionism which in due time will replace its much older and more conservative cousin, others believe that it only signals the need for traditional interactionists to finally start making some much-needed modifications in symbolic interactionism if they wish it to remain a viable sociological perspective in the 21st century.

Radical Interactionism on the Rise is a very strong and refreshing book that intelligently actualizes G. H. Mead's intuitions. Experienced sociologists who are already familiar with Symbolic Interactionism will find here an important questioning of this approach, which is being aptly revisited and constructively criticized. Likewise, scholars seeking a much needed critique of G. H. Mead's position will appreciate this nuanced discussion about the intuitions of a man who at 68 died too soon to explore and reconsider all the dimensions he once put into light, as proven by the number of his posthumous books.On the other hand, students in pragmatics or in social psychology will appreciate Chapter 4 dedicated to John Dewey's conception of dominance (as opposed to Marx's definition). The most rewarding passages of this book explain the limits of Mead's reasoning and how his followers (and some dissidents) added to his theoretical insights (36). In summary, because of its welcome renewal of microsociology and the original proposals brought by all contributors, this Radical Interactionism on the Rise will be essential for university libraries in English-speaking countries. It would serve as well as a mandatory addendum to any seminar on microsociology for the salient issues explored and debated here. Yves Laberge, Centr'ERE-UQAM, Canada - See more at: http://www.emeraldgrouppublishing.com/products/books/series.htm?id=0163-2396#sthash.B5MfgNG0.dpuf

Athens, Dr. L - Seton Hall University, NJ, USA Denzin, Prof. N.K. - Institute of Communications Research, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA