International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy: Volume 18 Issue 5/6

Diversity and diversion: Higher superstition and the dangers of insularity in science and technology studies

William R. Freudenburg, Scott Frickel, Rachel E. Dwyer

Examines the debate over “Higher superstition” (Gross and Levitt, 1994). Puts forward the arguments in the book and the response to the book from members of the US science and…

Biological categories and border controls: the revival of eugenics in anti‐immigration rhetoric

Dorothy Nelkin, Mark Michaels

Looks at the contemporary debate on US immigration, focusing particularly on the increasing articulation of eugenics. Notes that, at times of economic and moral crisis, biological…

Drug testing in the workplace: the allure of management technologies

Elaine Draper

Discusses US use of drug testing in the workplace, screening employees for smoking, AIDS, genetic traits and reproductive hazards. Attributes this to the costs employers face in…

Debating universality: the case of closed‐chest cardiac massage

Stefan Timmermans

Debates why and how some practices become universal – taking as a case in point closed‐chest massage (CCCM). Points out that CCCM was recognized in 1960 and its use generated…

Omniscient organizations and bodily observations: electronic surveillance in the workplace

Ann Marie Wood

Explores the extent of employee surveillance in the western world and queries why the USA uses surveillance measures to a greater extent than other developed nations. Suggests…