Alain Touraine's The End of Societies – A Sociological Reading of the Paradigm Shift from the Social to the Cultural-Ethical

Abstract

Alain Touraine’s The End of Societies (2013) is a major contribution to redefining contemporary sociology. The author proposes a shift from a structure-centered social paradigm to a cultural paradigm centered on the “active subject” and human rights. The book examines the transformation of modern societies after the decline of class struggle and the rise of “subjectivation societies” in which collective action is framed within an ethical and rights-based horizon, beyond traditional economic struggles. This review outlines the book’s intellectual context, summarizes its content, and provides a critical reading of key concepts such as “total power,” “ethical movements,” and “dignity” as a principle of resistance. It also discusses Touraine’s contribution to renewing sociological theory and its ability to grasp contemporary transformations