Long recognised as a foundational figure in the development of social scientific thought, Emile Durkheims work has been the subject of intense debate over the years. This authoritative and comprehensive collection of essays re-examines the impact of Durkheim's thought, considering the historical contexts of his work as well as evaluating his ideas in relation to current issues and controversies. Leading authorities in the field have contributed to this landmark volume that redefines the relevance of Durkheim to the human sciences in the twenty-first century.

1. Introduction: The New Durkheim Jeffrey C. Alexander and Philip Smith; Part I. Life, Context and Ideas: 2. Durkheim, life and context: something new about Durkheim? Marcel Fournier; 3. Durkheim's squares: types of social pathology and types of suicide Philippe Besnard; 4. Practices and presuppositions: some questions about Durkheim and 'Les Formes Elementaires de la vie religieuse' Robert Alun Jones; 5. The Durkheimian movement in France and world sociology Randall Collins; 6. The inner development of Durkheim's sociological theory: from early writings to maturity Jeffrey C. Alexander; 7. What difference does translation make: 'Les Formes Elementaires de la vie religieuse' in French and English Karen E. Fields; Part II. Symbols, Rituals and Bodies. 8. Durkheim and ritual Robert N. Bellah; 9. Embodiment, emotions and the foundations of social order: Durkheim's enduring contribution Chris Shilling; 10. Drag Kings at the Totem Ball: the erotics of collective representation in Emile Durkheim Roger Friedland; 11. 'Renegade Durkheimianism' and the transgressive left sacred Alexander Riley; Part III. Solidarity, Difference and Morality: 12. Durkheim, solidarity and September 11 Edward A. Tiryakian; 13. Foundations of class analysis: a Durkheimian perspective David B. Grusky with Gabriela Galescu; 14. Durkheim's society revisited Zygmunt Baumann; 15. Beyond solidarity? Durkheim and twenty-first century democracy in a global age Mark Cladis; Appendix 1. Works by Durkheim and selected further reading.