Symbolic Violence

“Michael Burawoy sets up an illuminating series of conversations between Bourdieu and some of the most influential thinkers of the twentieth century (including Karl Marx, Antonio Gramsci, Frantz Fanon, Paulo Freire, Simone de Beauvoir, and C. Wright Mills) that seek to ‘bring to life some of the combatants that Bourdieu has repressed.’ Through these conversations Burawoy makes an intriguing case for Bourdieu as a revitalizing force for twenty-first-century Marxism.” - Kate Crehan, author of Gramsci’s Common Sense: Inequality and Its Narratives

“Offering systematic comparisons between Bourdieu and several leading thinkers, Symbolic Violence represents first-rate scholarship from a seasoned thinker and will be of interest to all those who read Bourdieu.” - David L. Swartz, author of Symbolic Power, Politics, and Intellectuals: The Political Sociology of Pierre Bourdieu

"Readers are left with an important work that illuminates the space between valid and applicable theories, how that space can be navigated, and whether it is necessary or advisable to do so." - F. E. Knowles, Choice

“Symbolic Violence is a rich and enlightening Marxist critique of Bourdieu’s sociology, which highlights both the latter’s profound insights and its shortcomings. The ‘conversations’ between Bourdieu, Marx, Gramsci et al. illuminate the limits of Bourdieu’s theory, but also its lessons for Marxists.” - Paul Leduc Browne, Marx and Philosophy Review of Books

"The chapters are testimony of how Burawoy as a Gramscian Marxist comes to grips with Bourdieu's work. The text gives insight into how Burawoy twists and turns, first as a dismissive critic, then a captive, and finally as a seasoned admirer if sharp critic of Bourdieu. It will appeal to those interested in the relationship between Marxism (particularly Gramscian) and Bourdieusian sociology."  - David L. Swartz, Social Forces

“The recently published book on the Bourdieusian notion of ‘symbolic violence’ sets the late sociologist on a critical meeting board with his posteriors to discuss the multifaceted significations, limitations, and overtime evolution of this concept.... We highly recommend this book to students and researchers who seek to explore the works and ideas of this contemporary sociologist.”

“Symbolic Violence is a rich, wide-ranging . . . attempt by Michael Burawoy to grapple with the theoretical legacy of Pierre Bourdieu. . . . Burawoy deserves credit for being the first major American social theorist of his generation to try engagement after abandoning skepticism.” - Omar Lizardo, American Journal of Sociology