Craig Calhoun

Craig Calhoun is an American sociologist and former president of the London School of Economics and Political Science (2012-2016). He is widely recognized for his work on social theory, politics, social movements, and the role of public universities. Throughout his career, Calhoun has made significant contributions to understanding nationalism, globalization, and critical social theory. His influential book "Nations Matter: Culture, History and the Cosmopolitan Dream" (2007) challenged prevailing views about the decline of nationalism in an increasingly globalized world. As Director of the Social Science Research Council (1999-2012), Calhoun helped reshape the landscape of social science research and fostered international scholarly collaboration. His research spans multiple disciplines, including sociology, political theory, philosophy, and anthropology. Calhoun's academic work emphasizes the importance of public engagement and the role of universities in society. His writings on democracy, social solidarity, and critical thinking have influenced scholars across various fields, particularly in discussions about the relationship between knowledge production and social change.

Readers appreciate Calhoun's academic depth but note his writing can be dense and theoretical. Reviews point to his expertise in social theory and globalization, though some struggle with the complexity of his arguments. What readers liked: - Clear explanations of complex sociological concepts - Strong research and citations - Balanced perspective on controversial topics - Focus on practical real-world applications What readers disliked: - Writing style can be overly academic - Some passages require multiple readings to grasp - Dense paragraphs with specialized terminology - Limited accessibility for non-academic readers Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (97 ratings across all works) Amazon: 4.1/5 (43 ratings) One reader noted "Critical Social Theory provides clear frameworks but demands careful study." Another commented "His analysis of nationalism is thorough but the prose is challenging for undergraduates." Several reviews mention needing to reference other sources to fully understand the material.

Neither Gods nor Emperors: Students and the Struggle for Democracy in China (1994) A detailed examination of the 1989 Beijing student protests, based on firsthand observations and participant interviews.

Critical Social Theory: Culture, History, and the Challenge of Difference (1995) An analysis of critical theory focusing on identity, recognition, and social movements in modern societies.

Nationalism (1997) An exploration of nationalism's historical development, its relationship to modernity, and its continuing significance in contemporary politics.

Social Theory and the Politics of Identity (1994) A collection of essays examining how identity politics shapes social movements and modern political discourse.

Habermas and the Public Sphere (1992) An edited volume analyzing Jürgen Habermas's concept of the public sphere and its implications for democratic theory.

Understanding September 11 (2002) A sociological analysis of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and their global political and social implications.

Nations Matter: Culture, History and the Cosmopolitan Dream (2007) An examination of nationalism's persistence in the face of globalization and cosmopolitanism.

The Roots of Radicalism: Tradition, the Public Sphere, and Early Nineteenth-Century Social Movements (2012) A historical study of radical social movements and their relationship to public discourse in the 19th century.