Critical Theory and Public Life

Abstract

Jurgen Habermas's communications theory of society has excited widespread interest and the literature discussing and developing it has grown rapidly. The essays in this book explore the applied turn in contemporary critical theory by examining the research implications of Habermas's theory for the analysis of concrete problems of public life.Spanning the spectrum of the social sciences, they relate critical theory to issues in six major areas: industrial policy under advanced capitalism; education; the mass media and consumerism; public participation in planning; policy analysis; and critical historical studies. Although the essays emphasize applications of Habermas's critical theory to public issues, they seek to criticize and reformulate the theory as well.Habermas has contributed a chapter on modernity and post-modernity in architecture. Joining him with essays written especially for this book are Ben Agger, Timothy Luke and Stephen White, John O'Neill, Dieter Misgeld, Daniel C. Hallin, Peter Grahame, Ray Kemp, John Forester, Frank Fischer, and Trent Schroyer.John Forester is Associate Professor of City and Regional Planning at Cornell University. Critical Theory and Public Life is included in the series Studies in Contemporary German Social Thought, edited by Thomas McCarthy.