Books by Ian Parker

Ian Parker''s Mapping the English Left through Film: Twenty Five Uneasy Pieces is a block-buster of a book, mercilessly unpicking the cinematic narratives that infuse twenty-five organisations. Key elements of plot and production are used to tell the story of purges and splits and cult-favourites in this innovative history of Trotskyist groups in England. This is the place where revolutionary Marxism goes to the movies.

Fifty revolutionary keywords for a new left.

Tracing a series of key debates in and against the psy-complex.

Psychoanalytic Mythologies presents a collection of essays on the theme of what it is to be a human subject in a culture permeated by psychoanalytic imagery. The authors attempt to disturb the strongly-held belief of those in thrall to psychoanalysis that it is universally true forms the recurrent motif that binds these essays together.

"e;A radical methodological approach to psychology that is open to social change - in an anti-capitalist, anti-racist and feminist politics."e; Antonio Negri*BR**BR*Psychology is meant to help people cope with the afflictions of modern society. But how useful is it? Ian Parker argues that current psychological practice has become part of the problem, rather than the solution.*BR**BR*Ideal for undergraduates, this book deconstructs the discipline to reveal the neoliberal sensitivities that underlie its theory and practice. Psychology focuses on the happiness of 'the individual'. Yet it neglects the fact that the happiness of the individual depends on their social and political surroundings. *BR**BR*Ian Parker argues that a new approach to psychology is needed. He offers an alternative vision, outlining how the discipline can be linked to political practice and how it can help people as part of a wider progressive agenda. This groundbreaking book is at the cutting edge of current thinking on the discipline and should be required reading on all psychology courses.

'When I read Ian Parker's manuscript, I experienced an underlying solidarity: despite obvious differences, we share the same basic political concerns and visions. And this makes his critical remarks always pertinent!' Slavoj Zizek*BR**BR*'This is not simply the best critical introduction to Zizek - in a much more radical sense, this is the only critical introduction to Zizek. Parker's study is much more than an important contribution to the ongoing debate: it redefines its very terms.' Yannis Stavrakakis, author of 'Lacan and the Political'*BR**BR*'A sharp, clear and radical analysis.' Christian Ingo Lenz Dunker, Professor of Psychoanalytic Theory and Lacanian Psychoanalyst, Sao Paulo, Brazil.*BR**BR*Since the publication of his first book in English in 1989, Slavoj Zizek has quickly become one of the most widely read and contentious intellectuals alive today. With dazzling wit and tremendous creativity he has produced innovative and challenging explorations of Lacan, Hegel and Marx, and used his insights to exhilarating effect in analyses of popular culture.*BR**BR*While Zizek is always engaging, he is also elusive and even contradictory. It can be very hard to finally determine where he stands on a particular issue. Is Zizek Marxist or Post-Marxist? How seriously should we take his recent turn to Christianity?*BR**BR*Slavoj Zizek: A Critical Introduction shows the reader a clear path through the twists and turns of Zizek's writings. Ian Parker takes Zizek's treatment of Hegel, Lacan and Marx in turn and outlines and assesses Zizek's interpretation and extension of these thinkers' theories. While Parker is never hastily dismissive of Zizek's innovations, he remains critical throughout, aware that the energy of Zizek's writing can be bewitching and beguiling as well as engaging and profound.

Introduces theoretical approaches to ethnography, interviewing, narrative, discourse and psychoanalysis. This book includes numerous boxes that outline key issues in the development, application and assessment of qualitative research methods, and debates and problems with particular qualitative methods taught in psychology.