ABSTRACT
Pierre Bourdieu has inspired much work in the sociology of culture, education, theory, and stratification, but has received very little attention in political sociology and practically none in political science.1 This chapter proposes a reading of Bourdieu as a political sociologist who offers both a sociology of politics and a politics of sociology. The first part will offer a brief overview of his analysis of power. The second part will examine how he thinks sociology can be used to speak politically. I will consider the kind of role he thinks should be played by the sociologist in the public arena. This role will be contrasted with several other views on the role of intellectuals in politics and some evaluation will be offered.
