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The decline of class politics and the reflexive modernization thesis are two major arguments against the relevance of class analysis when studying contemporary advanced society. Inspired by Bourdieu's theory of class, this thesis examines these two theoretical arguments through exploring whether and how class processes operate in Hong Kong. Based on in-depth qualitative interviews with 56 informants from Hong Kong, this thesis shows how the power of class is manifested in the informants' childhood experience, education, work histories, everyday life and political orientations. Even though explicit class identifications are not necessarily salient or clear among the informants and political class discourse only appeals to those who grew up in industrial Hong Kong, the informants' class identities are submerged in their daily practices, lived experiences and political orientations. While the data gathered for this study initially seem to offer qualified support for the reflexive modernization thesis (since many informants appear to think reflexively and individualistically when narrating their life stories) I argue that class analysis remains useful. I show how the freedom to make choices is largely a privilege of those who occupy an advantaged position in the social structure. Moreover, the way in which individuals reflect on their own biographies is heavily influenced by their class habitus. While I argue that class is an important structural factor in terms of understanding contemporary post-industrial Hong Kong, this thesis also emphasizes the relevance of life-course or generation when understanding Hong Kong society because the lived experiences of the informants, including the class processes which they are exposed to, are very different depending on whether they grew up in industrial or post-industrial Hong Kong.

The main phenomena the thesis seeks to understand are resistance and space. The aims of the thesis are theoretical and empirical. Theoretically, the thesis examines different perspectives on resistance and space and draws on them to provide useful insights on the concepts. Empirically, it explores the experiences of skateboarders and graffiti writers in Manchester. The literature on graffiti writers and skateboarders often mentions 'resistance' in relation to the activities of the two groups. Such work, however, usually does not engage in a detailed, conceptual investigation of the concept and usually assumes rather than demonstrate how the use of the concept can be justified by reference to the day-to-day activities of the two groups (see for example Ferrell 1993, 1995, Borden 2001 and Flusty 2000). This thesis aims to fill this gap. The frrst chapter provides an introduction to the thesis. The second chapter explores perspectives on resistance. As the thesis progressed empirically, it became very pertinent to conceptually investigate the subject of space and this is the focus of the third chapter. The fourth chapter discusses the methodology and research design of the thesis. The necessity of demonstrating concretely what work the theoretical insights of the space chapter could do resulted in a fifth chapter on Manchester. In this chapter, Manchester as space and as the site of the empirical investigation of this thesis is explored. The sixth chapter presents themes that emerged from fieldwork with Manchester graffiti writers and skateboarders. The conclusion chapter draws together the main themes and arguments of the thesis. One of the main arguments of the thesis is that Manchester, the site of the empirical interests of the study, can be seen as a space over which diverse groups struggle. This struggle, it is argued, is brought about by the divergent interests and visions of different groups in the city. These groups are seen as all attempting in various ways to bring about spatial realities that accord with their interests. In this multiple enactment of spatial realities some social actors have greater resources at their disposal to bring to pass their interests in Manchester as space. These are 'the powerful'. There are other 'producers of space' - the weak or the 'less powerful' - these have relatively marginal resources in appropriating Manchester's spaces. The thesis argues that skateboarders and graffiti writers fall into this category. When their interests and visions in Manchester fall foul of the interests of more powerful groups,conflict, the thesis shows, ensues. It is in this conflict in definitions of Manchester as a resource for the enactment of interests that we find the skateboarder's and graffiti writer's resistance. The skateboarder and graffiti writer finds that to play in the city can bring him/her in conflict with the law. Subcultural members find out in the course of playing in the city that their activities are defined differendy by more powerful groups. What seems to be merely play turns out to be defined as crime and 'anti-social behaviour' by groups with the backing of the law. By insisting on engaging in what may be described as 'dissident play', members set themselves in opposition and resistance to certain aspects of the governance of space in the city. The thesis also brings to prominence theoretical insights that can be found in the literature on resistance and space and provides ways of approaching the subjects that may prove useful for future work in the areas.

The underlying premise of the research is that the social structure of university departments heavily determines the university experience of their members. There have, however, been very few empirically based investigations of the overall social structure of a university department. A study was conducted of the English Department of the Free University, Berlin. It combined three sets of considerations: 1. socio-historical 2. from role theory 3. from the sociology of organisations. Against an assessment of the socio-historical constraints on the University, the academic discipline and the Department, the situation of the main status groups in the Department was examined - from freshmen to professors - but also populations which were just entering or had just left the Department, i. e. school leavers and recent graduates. A lattice of eighteen crosssectional and longitudinal surveys was used. The data collection was by questionnaire, interview, extensive on-site observation and documentary analysis. A set of organisational properties was applied to the findings to determine the institutional efficacy of the Department. On the strength of these operations the condition of the Department is diagnosed as pathological. Beyond illustration of the manifold symptoms, attention is drawn to the cleft between the hidden curriculum of the Department and the ostensible goals of academic effort. While conclusions are drawn about current developments in German universities, the case is seen as a demonstration of the threat of "departmentalism" in the university at large. Finally, a proposal is made suggesting the extension of institutional research in universities to help forestall the phenomena shown in the study

This empirical study is aimed at examining and evaluating a convert community's approach in countering the effects of extremist and terrorist propaganda in the UK. Failure to avert terrorist attacks in London on 7th July 2005, and the subsequent attempt a fortnight later, have led to the government and its agencies seeking alternative strategies to combat what has now been established as a legitimate home grown threat of terrorism amongst British Muslim citizens. Legislation subsequently introduced after September 11th (2001) failed to acknowledge or, indeed, recognise the threat of terrorism from British Muslims and instead targeted, primarily, Muslim asylum seekers / immigrants. This approach, together with the government's foreign policy on Iraq and support for the US led War on Terror' confirmed emphasis for a restrictive 'top down' approach to tackling extremism, failing to recognise significant and timely contributions that could be made from marginal grass root communities. Not until the events of 7"' July, has the British Muslim Convert community within the UK been under so much scrutiny, as being especially susceptible to extremist teachings which allegedly lead to terrorist activities. As focus increasingly centres on community led initiatives, due to the above mentioned factors, it has become necessary to research and analyse the effectiveness of the British Muslim convert community in countering extremism against the prevalent back drop of violent extremist propaganda. The Salafist ideology is examined and discussed in light of existing academic and journalistic debates which posit it among the contributory causes of violent extremism. Adherents of Salafism - Salafis consider their practices mainstream, away from the extreme spectrums of both liberalism and terrorism. They have been, up until recently, marginalised among - both Muslim and non-Muslim communities, resulting in various inaccuracies being attributed to the movement, ideologically, historically and politically; leading to conclusions that extremist 'violent Jihadis' (takfeeris) are of identical schools of thought, but at the other end of the same spectrum, so to speak. The study seeks to determine, first hand, factors which influence and affect the Islamic education and development of British Muslim converts within the UK including the cultural and social motivators, as well as existing tensions that may exist between them and established Muslim communities. Additional factors which serve as catalysts in propelling a small number of them towards extremism shall also be examined.

Thin thesis analyses the Akiape º peoples: to are made up of three tribes living in Eastern Cbana. The main concern is with the basis of traditional authority, and with the grounds of political obligation. Chapter Ip which takes the form of prolegomena, deals with the theoretical aspect of the concept of nuthorityf and in this way attention Is Given to both philogophical an3 sociological aspects of authority structure in general term. Chapter Ii duals with the natural environment of Arapem and its effects on the people and social organization - while at the same time discussing the naterial culture of the people. Cocoa production is given pride of place in this Chapter, because the industry began in this region. In Chapter IIZj the history of the people is told as gathered throu.; h tiold-work - the sources beiß; scanty historical records and oral traditions. In Chapter 17p I discuss the territorial organization of the people fron the fowedilw of the state in 1733 A. D., and also the social structure of the various chiefdoms. Chapter V deals with tdnehip au local co=mity.Chapter VI deals with the core of the thocis under the heading "Norms of Chieftainship". Chapter VII concludos with the Social Change under the various headings of Part one. Historical Background and Introduction, Part Two. Discussion, and Part Three, Social Control. The thesis is intended to be a general investigation into the political' systems of the Ak'apcxi tribes, thus preparing the 'ray for more detailed studies of the kinship and other aspects of the hetero' gencous peopleo of this region in the near future

This study explores the issues around the separation from society of people who have mental health problems. It reconstructs the model of power provided by Foucault in his later work on governmentality. A careful examination of Foucault's theory of power is undertaken in comparison to others within the sociological tradition to demonstrate how this lends itself most appropriately to the kind of analysis undertaken here. The focus is on Foucault's later work where he addresses the power/knowledge couplet and what subsequently came to be coined 'structures in governmentality'. In this sense the study is located as a post Foucauldian analysis and develops some important elements of his theorizing about power. The emphasis demonstrates the significance of power and power relationships in an attempt to make sense of the experiences of people with mental health problems and in particular the impact that mental health policies have on them. Of particular interest is the way that Foucauldian sOciologists such as Rose and Dean have re-constructed Foucault's theory of power. It is this emphasis on governmentality as forms of regulation, social control and management in relation to people who have mental health problems that is at the centre of this study.

The aim of this thesis is to explore and explain the phenomenon of football fandom as consumption in liquid modern life. By centralizing fandom within the sociology of consumption, the work contends that football fandom equates to a fluid series of routine consumption activities that are practiced in the course of everyday life. Thus, departing from sociological studies that feature exceptional forms of fandom i.e. relating to hooliganism, racism, and obsession - this work focuses on regular consumption practice in order to emphasize the position that seemingly trivial procedures can have a profound influence on the construction, maintenance and evolution of football fandom cultures. Furthermore it contends that football fandom is an organic, liquid-like phenomenon that is slowly moving boundaries of authenticity based on the reflexivity of practicing agents as they participate in and respond to the demands of consumer life. Empirically, the work involves an investigation of participant narratives that are used to rethink theories of football fandom beyond normative explanation and associated, rigid theoretical dichotomies. Interviews (N=56) with a purposive cohort of football fans that responded to a media call for volunteers in 2008 provide the sample for this thesis and results are analyzed using the method of thematic discourse analysis. A thorough investigation of the range of experiences expressed by participants reveals valuable insights into the ways in which agents consume goods, services, performances, and information - for utilitarian, expressive, or contemplative purposes and demonstrates how such actions contribute to the maintenance and evolution of football fandom cultures. The theoretical foundations supporting this thesis are based on the work of an interdisciplinary mix of scholars that theorize at both the micro and macro levels of practice.

Background: With the return to relative peace in Northern Ireland, available demographic data suggest that its population is growing in the sense of becoming increasingly diverse in line with the UK. However, there has been very little research on the social psychological implications of this growing diversity. One aspect of the implication of the growing diversity is prejudice. But past research had focused on Catholics and Protestants with little on the multiethnic dimension. In view of this gap, this research was directed at multiethnic prejudice in Northern Ireland. Aims: To understand the extent of multiethnic prejudice in Northern Ireland in view of the growing diversity. Research Design: The research broadly comprised four studies. The first, focused on a qualitative perspective with seven ethnic groups. It employed the simultaneous use of focus groups with sample sizes of 4-6 persons and Interpretative Phenomenological Analytical (IPA) approaches. The quantitative part had a total sample size of 417. In a cross-sectional design using a convenience sample method, Study two was an evaluation of intergroup relations based on Social Identity to understand its dimensionality in a multiethnic context. The third and fourth studies were focused on Blatant/Subtle Prejudice and Social Distance as measures of the prevalence of ethnic prejudice respectively. These studies also sought to understand their factor structures. Findings: The qualitative study uncovered feelings of dislike and mutual suspicion between ethnic groups. The study also showed that it is possible to simultaneously use Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis and focus in analysing data. The quantitative analysis which employed the use of SPSS and AMOS found a three factor structure for Social Identity in a multiethnic context. In addition, Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was applied due some of the limitation of factor analysis. There were significant differences between Catholics and Protestant on Social Identity and all the prejudice measures. There was also evidence of significant negative views between majority and minority groups in the country. Conclusion: The main implication of this research is that there is evidence of a broad divide between the ethnic groups involved in the research indicating a lack of integration. Further implications and areas for future research are suggested.