This text provides an accessible survey of Western social thought from the early twentieth century to today by tracing the emergence, evolution, and consequence of ideas expressed by recognized social and political theorists as well as poets, novelists, and visual artists.

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Anthony Thomson was a professor in the Department of Sociology at Acadia University until his retirement in 2015. He earned his B.A., B.Ed., and M.A. from Dalhousie University, and his Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge. In addition to social theory, his areas of interest include intellectual history, post-revolutionary societies, Canadian labour history, and criminal justice. He is the author of The Making of Social Theory: Order, Reason, and Desire, 2e (OUP, 2010).

"This text excels in its emphasis on critical theory, its coverage of feminist theorists, and its links to art and popular culture." --Barbara Hanson, York University

"There is a lot to like about this book. . . . In particular, the focus on context and the inclusion of links to art, literature, and film set it apart." --Helga Hallgrimsdottir, University of Victoria