Writing, General, Feminist Theory, Sociology, History & Theory 

Unruly Practices brings together a series of widelydiscussed essays in feminism and social theory. Read together, theyconstitute a sustained critical encounter with leading European andAmerican approaches to social theory. In addition, Nancy Fraserdevelops a new and original socialist-feminist critical theory thatovercomes many of the limitations of current alternatives. First, in a series of critical essays, she deploys philosophicaland literary techniques to assess the work of Michael Foucault, theFrench deconstructionists, Richard Rorty, and Jürgen Habermas.Then, in a group of constructive essays, she incorporates theirrespective strengths in a new critical theory of late-capitalistpolitical culture. Fraser breaks new ground
methodologically by integrating thepreviously divergent insights of poststructuralism, critical socialtheory, feminist theory, and pragmatism. Thematically, she dealswith varied forms of dominance and subordination in modern,industrial, late-capitalist societies. These themes are integratedin an original theory of 'the politics of need interpretation.'This concept becomes the linchpin of the socialist-feministcritical theory.