In Social Cohesion Contested, Dan Swain and Petr Urban problematize the taken-for-granted concept of social cohesion. They argue social cohesion narratives often unwittingly romanticize and reify an oppressive status quo, thus skirting democratic deliberation and critique. Social theorists of all disciplines will find this a timely and insightful contribution.

Maurice Hamington, professor of philosophy, Portland State University

In a wide-ranging text, Dan Swain and Petr Urban provide an impressive critical analysis of the notion of social cohesion increasingly invoked in analysis and policy in relation to rising concerns about the sustainability and stability of late modern social life. Social Cohesion Contested is an invaluable text for challenging understandings of our increasingly precarious times.

Barry Smart, professor of sociology, Centre for European and International Studies, University of Portsmouth

This thought-provoking book urges a critical view on social cohesion. While cohesion appears preferable to conflict, the authors convincingly demonstrate how political efforts to promote it can result in injustices and exclusions, hampering a legitimate approach to diversity in liberal-democratic societies. A highly valuable contribution to academic and public debates.

Matteo Gianni, professor of political science, University of Geneva

What social cohesion means depends on who is using the term. The more often it’s taught as a concept in policy intervention programs, the more vigilant we need to be regarding its use. What meanings are being pushed or erased? What tacit normality and intentions dominate? This book provides the tools to answer those questions.

Andries Baart, professor of presence and care, University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands, and North-West University, South Africa

Is social cohesion a reality or just a trade name? The question arises at a time when equality, equity, access to fundamental rights and economic well-being for all seem to have become empty concepts. In order to respond to this challenge, and with the most scrupulous rigor, Urban and Swain examine whether horizontal practices of solidarity and mutual aid do not succeed where states fail. A must read.

Catherine Malabou, Kingston University and University of California at Irvine

This elegant book shows how the concept of social cohesion has become an unquestioned policy aim through perceptive analyses of its use in various regional and international institutions since the 1990s. It can be read by politicians, researchers, leading civil servants and interested academics alike. The book offers a fresh and much-needed critical perspective to current policy discourses and to the technocratic role of social research in their diffusion. It reminds us of the value of political debates about the good society, where no concept is ever settled—and of the significant role of self-reflexive social science research.

Hanne Marlene Dahl, professor and head of the Doctoral School at the Department of Social Sciences and Business, Roskilde University and leader of Crossroads of Care and Social Reproduction (CARE)