Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book is a critical enquiry into the sociology of Zygmunt Bauman, specifically his English-language writings from the 1960s onwards. It has two main aims. Firstly, the intention is to make a contribution to existing sociological debates about modern society by offering an interpretation of Bauman's sociology based upon the concept of freedom. The second aim is to open up new areas of discourse surrounding Bauman's work, by clarifying his understanding of freedom in relation to the great political traditions of conservatism, liberalism, and socialism. The book also argues that, despite the evident benefits of these opening dialogues with Bauman's work, there is now an urgent need for a more critical evaluation of the central concepts and themes that inform his sociological world-view.