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Accounting activism and Bourdieu's ‘collective intellectual’ – Reflections on the ICL Case

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  • Cooper, Christine
  • Coulson, Andrea B.

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to reflect upon the practice of accounting academics as ‘collective intellectuals’ – inspired by the actions and conception of Pierre Bourdieu. While accounting researchers have drawn upon Bourdieu's theoretical contributions on habitus, field and capital, little attention has been paid to his later, more critical ideas and practice of intervention post 1995. As a result, accounting research has yet to discover Bourdieu's work on the ‘collective intellectual’ and, thus, consider its contribution to our understanding of how accounting academics can participate in a form of activism against neoliberalism that would not be in contradiction with professional norms of rigorous research. Rather, activism could enhance academic research.

Suggested Citation

  • Cooper, Christine & Coulson, Andrea B., 2014. "Accounting activism and Bourdieu's ‘collective intellectual’ – Reflections on the ICL Case," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 25(3), pages 237-254.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:crpeac:v:25:y:2014:i:3:p:237-254
    DOI: 10.1016/j.cpa.2013.01.002
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