wacquant

Loïc Wacquant is a French-American sociologist known for his work on urban anthropology, criminology, and the sociology of sport. Born in 1955 in France, Wacquant received his PhD in Sociology from École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales in 1981.

Wacquant's research focuses on the relationship between poverty, crime, and urban segregation, particularly in the United States. His work often critiques the ways in which urban policies and social programs affect marginalized communities, highlighting the relationship between neoliberalism and social inequality. He is also interested in the intersection of sport and social theory, drawing on his background in boxing and the sociology of sport.

Wacquant is perhaps best known for his concept of the " neoliberal state" and his theory of the " penal surplus." According to Wacquant, the neoliberal state is characterized by a shift from social welfare to penal sanctions as a means of governing the poor and marginalized. The penal surplus, in turn, refers to the expansion of the carceral system as a response to economic and social decline.

In addition to his academic work, Wacquant has been actively engaged in public debates and discussions about social justice and policy. He has published numerous books and articles in academic and popular presses, including "The Punitive Society" and "Body & Soul: Notebooks of an Apprentice Boxer." Wacquant is a professor at the University of California, Berkeley, and has held visiting positions at institutions such as Princeton University and the London School of Economics.