The Society of Singularities

The particular is the clincher and the unique is prized while the general and the standardised remain, on the contrary, rather unattractive. The average person with his or her average life is suspicious. The new measure of all things is the authentic subject with original interests and a carefully crafted biography, as well as unmistakable goods and events, communities and cities. Late modernity celebrates the singular.

Beginning with this diagnosis, Andreas Reckwitz examines the process of singularization and how it is playing out at the beginning of the 21^st century in economics, the world of work, network culture, lifestyles, and politics. Through a theory of modernity he shows how closely this process is intertwined with the culturalization of the social sphere, the contradictory dynamics it exhibits, and what constitutes its flip side. The society of the singular does not simply recognise glowing victors. It produces its very own injustices, paradoxes, and losers. A groundbreaking book.

»The Society of Singularities is the first to show a recognisable and convincing image of what underlies our coexistence.« Süddeutsche Zeitung

»Everywhere there are new conflicts and classes – thanks to culture! A sociologist delivers shrewd general theories of our times.« Die Zeit

»Those who put on these 3D-glasses for the present understand how populism and cultural capitalism are connected.« Kolja Reichert, Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung

»Reckwitz’s theory is impressive. A discussion in society as a whole is almost unavoidable.« Der Tagesspiegel

»Anyone who wishes to understand our time should definitely read Andreas Reckwitz.« Deutschlandfunk Kultur

»[Reckwitz] has created a special book, an original access to our present age.« Literatur SPIEGEL

»Reckwitz ... renounces culturally pessimistic tones ... But you can take away this much from this smart book: more regulation in general, whether economic or social, would do the society of singularities a world of good.« Neue Zürcher Zeitung am Sonntag

»The Society of Singularities is a dedicated plea for a debate about new generally binding norms and values and an important key to a comprehensive understanding of our late modern time.« Bayerischer Rundfunk

»The Society of Singularities should be considered one of the most intensively discussed new releases of the season.« aspekte

»By recognising the power of the particular as the key to understanding the late modern, Andreas Reckwitz has managed an impressively synthetic achievement.« Deutschlandfunk Kultur

»In short: With Reckwitz’s The Society of Singularities, the decisive economic, cultural and political processes and problems of the late modern era can be taken into account.« Wirtschaftswoche