Eva Illouz Knihy

A study of American love in the twentieth century that unravels the mass of images that define our ideas of love and romance, revealing that the experience of 'true' love is deeply embedded in the experience of consumer capitalism. It studies how individual conceptions of love overlap with the world of cliches and images.

Throughout the world, democracy is under assault by various populist movements and ideologies. And throughout the world, the same enigma: why is it that political figures or governments, who have no qualms about aggravating social inequalities, enjoy the support of those whom their ideas and policies affect and hurt the most? To make sense of this enigma, the sociologist Eva Illouz argues that we must understand the crucial role that emotions play in our political life. Only emotions have the power to deny factual evidence and obscure one's self-interest. Taking the case of Israel as her prime example, she shows that the authoritarianism and conservative nationalism that form the core of populist politics rest on four key emotions: authoritarianism is legitimated through fear, and conservative nationalism rests on disgust, resentment and a carefully cultivated love for one's country. It is the combination of these four emotions and their relentless presence in the political arena that nourishes and underpins the rise and persistence of populism both in Israel and in many other countries around the world. This highly original perspective on the rise of populism will be of interest to anyone who wishes to understand the key political developments of our time.

The imperative of happiness dictates the conduct and direction of our lives. There is no escape from the tyranny of positivity. But is happiness the supreme good that all of us should pursue? So says a new breed of so-called happiness experts, with positive psychologists, happiness economists and self-development gurus at the forefront. With the support of influential institutions and multinational corporations, these self-proclaimed experts now tell us what governmental policies to apply, what educational interventions to make and what changes we must undertake in order to lead more successful, more meaningful and healthier lives. With a healthy scepticism, this book documents the powerful social impact of the science and industry of happiness, arguing that the neoliberal alliance between psychologists, economists and self-development gurus has given rise to a new and oppressive form of government and control in which happiness has been woven into the very fabric of power.

Western culture often celebrates the miraculous moments of love—the instant connection, the anticipation of communication, and the thrill of attraction. However, it remains largely silent on the equally mysterious experiences of avoiding love, falling out of it, or feeling indifference towards someone who once captivated us. In this exploration, the author documents the various ways relationships end, arguing that while modern love was once defined by the freedom to form emotional bonds, it has shifted to a focus on the freedom to withdraw from them. This phenomenon, termed "unloving," encompasses the fading and dissolution of relationships. Traditionally, sociology has examined how social bonds are formed, yet this work emphasizes the importance of understanding their collapse. A particularly notable aspect is the influence of capitalism on non-choice and unloving, which fosters a culture of non-commitment and facilitates quick exits from relationships. This shift has significant implications for society and economics, contributing to trends such as declining birth rates, increasing solitude, and reduced sexual activity. The analysis offers a profound look at how consumer culture and capitalism shape personal relationships and the broader consequences of their dissolution.

Examines the profound impact of therapeutic discourse on our lives and on our contemporary notions of identity. This book examines a range of sources to show how self-help culture has transformed contemporary emotional life and how therapy complicates individuals' lives even as it claims to dissect their emotional experiences and heal trauma.

* A new book by the award-winnning sociologist Eva Illouz on modern love. * Sets out to explain why love is such a painful experience for many people - why we invest so much in the search for love and why it so often disappoints us.

It is commonly assumed that capitalism has created an a-emotional world dominated by bureaucratic rationality; that economic behavior conflicts with intimate, authentic relationships; that the public and private spheres are irremediably opposed to each other; and that true love is opposed to calculation and self-interest.

Exploring the cultural impact of the "Fifty Shades" trilogy, sociologist Eva Illouz analyzes its appeal within the context of contemporary relationships. She argues that the series transcends labels like "mommy porn," instead presenting a modern gothic romance where sexuality serves as both a source of conflict and a means of reconciliation. Illouz highlights how BDSM functions as a cultural fantasy, offering insights into romantic fulfillment and addressing the complexities of love and sexuality in today's society.

Was geht in einem Land vor, in dem Sicherheit von so überragender Bedeutung ist, dass sich eine Ärztin bereitwillig an einem Mordkomplott beteiligt, weil sie davon überzeugt ist, damit ihre Heimat zu verteidigen? Würden hochrangige israelische Politiker oder Militärs ein Mitglied einer Minderheit gegen den bloßen Verdacht des Hochverrats in Schutz nehmen? Fragen wie diesen spürt Eva Illouz in ihren Essays über Israel nach. Anhand aktueller politischer Entwicklungen und persönlicher Erfahrungen zeichnet sie ein drastisches Bild der israelischen Gesellschaft: Die zunehmende Identifikation mit Ethnie und Religion, so ihre These, droht deren liberalen Charakter zu unterwandern. Illouz’ in Israel viel beachteten und kontrovers diskutieren Texte kombinieren scharfsinnige Analysen mit einem kompromisslosen Plädoyer für eine offene Gesellschaft – eine dringend benötigte Stimme aus einer von Extremismus gezeichneten Region.

Wir leben in einer durchpsychologisierten Gesellschaft, in der Selbsthilfegruppen und Beziehungsratgeber boomende Auflagen erzielen. Der Gang zum Therapeuten ist für die aufgeklärte Mittelschicht zur Norm geworden. Ehekrisen werden nicht mehr privat gelöst, sondern in der Praxis eines Paartherapeuten, und selbst Spitzensportler haben Psychologen an ihrer Seite. Die israelische Soziologin Eva Illouz untersucht in ihrem neuen Werk, wie der therapeutische Diskurs unser kulturelles und emotionales Leben prägt. Sie verfolgt den Aufstieg der Psychoanalyse in den USA, beginnend mit Freuds Amerikareise 1909, und zeigt, wie psychologische Denkmuster in der amerikanischen Kultur Fuß fassten. Mit empirischen Beispielen und kritischer soziologischer Analyse beleuchtet sie die Auswirkungen dieses Diskurses auf die Identität des modernen Subjekts. Ihre Ergebnisse verdeutlichen, dass Therapien und die Kultur der Selbsthilfe den emotionalen Stil einer Gesellschaft verändern und das Leben nicht einfacher, sondern komplizierter machen.