The necessity of public sociology in South Africa

Abstract

Micheal Burawoy has questioned the position of South Africa in recent times as Sociology gets bifurcated along two major divide: “on the one hand, liberation sociology engaged with communities of struggle, and on the other hand, market research pandering to the interests of the day” (2004:13). The sociology profession, according to Burawoy, is a multifaceted, hierarchical organization with a jealously guarded self-referential autonomy that is also insular. Only in the context of such an elaborately organized autonomy, Burawoy contends, can we appreciate the significance of public sociology (2004:13). In this essay, therefore, I support Burawoy‟s call for the necessity of Public Sociology not only globally but in South Africa. I will also dwell upon the need to recover the discipline of public sociology for the sake of social relevance especially for the South African context. I will, however, start by defining what is meant by public sociology.