In this broadranging analysis of the central role that knowledge plays in ourlife Nico Stehr critically examines the premises of existing social theory andexplo... » 

In this broadranging analysis of the central role that knowledge plays in ourlife Nico Stehr critically examines the premises of existing social theory andexplores the knowledge relations in advanced societies. The result is asignificant new synthesis of social theory.The issues addressed in Knowledge Societies include the process ofscientization the transformation of the political system by increasinglyknowledgeable citizens the rise of specific areas of expertise and changes incorresponding institutions based on the deployment of specialized knowledge ashift in the nature of societal conflict from struggles about the allocation ofincome and property to claims and conflict about generalized human needs andthe emergence of fragility as a basic attribute of modern social organizations.Stehrs argument amply demonstrates that all social theories now need to takeaccount of the changing nature of social relations around knowledge and itdefines the parameters within which this analysis should take place. «