Preface

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Individualism: The Power of a Myth

The Mask Controversy

Why All the Drama?

What is American Individualism?

A Culture of Individualism

Economic Individualism

Individualism in Economic Theory

What's Wrong with Individualism?

Sociology as Myth Buster

Becoming a Person: The Power of Symbols

Evil Witches

Missing Links

The Socially Constructed Person

Language and the Power of Symbols

The Sociology of Thought

Group Differences in Social Cognition

The Sociology of Emotion

The Sociology of Identity

Conformity and Disobedience: The Power of the Group

Obedience to Authority

Questioning Authority

Resisting Authority

Solidarity and Conflict Between Groups

Group Identity

Family Matters: The Power of Social Class

The Myth of Meritocracy

Alexander Williams

Tyrec Taylor

The Relationship Between Class and Family Life

Class Competition

Cultural Capital

Sources of Cultural Capital

The Privilege of Class

Globalization: The Power of Capitalism

A New Type of Capitalism

Communities in Crisis

China Blues

Global Connections

Who Benefits?

Rowena

Care for Sale

Government Control: The Power of the State

What is The State?

Types of State Power

The Shooting

The Protest

The Sociological Context

State Borders and State Power

Borders are Not for Everyone

Making the Invisible Visible

From the Printing Press to the Internet: The Power of Mass Media

How Media Shapes Our Lives

The Power of the Printing Press

How the Printing Press Changed People

How the Printing Press Changed Society

How New Electronic Media Changed People

Media Addiction?

The Danger of Social Media

The Death of Molly Russell

How Electronic Media Changes Society

Social Change and Social Media

From "Me" to "We": The Power of Collective Action

A Woman and a Movement

What is a Social Movement?

Social Movements and Democracy

Global Democracy

The Globalization Movement

The World Trade Organization

Protecting Power

Global Solidarity

Conclusion

Index

About the Author