Decline or redeployment? The sociology of work in the UK

This paper takes issue with previous influential accounts of the evolution and contemporary potency Sociology work (SoW) in UK by challenging mythologies which have grown up around trajectory sub-discipline. is based on a sociological analysis political, organisational social forces shaped sub-discipline comprehensive examination its broad complex canon. enables refutation orthodoxies suggest that clearly defined SoW previously existed in, emerged from, narrow confines departments only, relatedly, ‘Golden Age’ research post WW II era ending led to irrevocable decline These misinterpretations are politically problematic they laud an neglected important questions relation who holds power how exercised reproduction inequality within employment furthermore, interpretation SoW. overturns conventional wisdom about importance relevance sub-discipline: where others identified we explore SoW’s relationship spread breath impact concludes discipline beyond academia offers opportunities for radical change.