Professionals, Power and Solidarity in Poland
A Critical Sociology of Soviet-Type Society

This pathbreaking study analyses Solidarity, one of the most important social movements of the twentieth century, and its significance in Soviet societies.

Michael D. Kennedy (Author)

9780521064088, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 5 June 2008

444 pages
22.9 x 15.1 x 2.5 cm, 0.648 kg

"Future students of this most significant period of the twentieth century will find Kennedy's book a valuable, though difficult and challenging, resource." Bronislaw Misztal, Contemporary Sociology

The Solidarity movement of the early 1980s not only triggered a transformation in Polish society, it forced a fundamental reconsideration of the nature of socialism throughout the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. Seen as one of the most important social movements of the twentieth century, Michael Kennedy develops a theoretical conception of Soviet-type societies by analysing Solidarity's significance. He explains the background to the nature of the conflict between Solidarity and the authorities and considers the implications of Solidarity's struggle for the theory of the Soviet-type system's reproduction and transformation. Then, the internal constitution of Solidarity in terms of gender and, in particular, cross-class alliances is examined, which is followed by the implications of his analysis both for understanding perestroika in the Soviet Union and more generally for reformulating a critical sociology of Soviet-type societies.

List of tables
Acknowledgments
List of abbreviations
Introduction
Part I. Solidarity and Social Transformation: 1. The historical genealogy of Solidarity
2. The nature and causes of Solidarity
3. The Solidarity movement as emancipatory praxis
Part II. Solidarity and the Theory of Soviet-type Society: 4. Solidarity, modernization and class
5. Solidarity, culture and civil society
6. A theory of power relations in Soviet-type society
Part III. Professionals and Solidarity: 7. Professionals, power and prestige
8. Engineers in Solidarity
9. Physicians in Solidarity
Part IV. Conclusion: 10. Critical sociology and Soviet-type society
Notes
References
Index.

Subject Areas: Sociology & anthropology [JH]