Jean-Francois Lyotard is widely considered to be the father of postmodernism and his ideas have influenced research and debate across many fields. This edited collection of essays is the first sociological assessment of his work. It brings together leading sociologists representing a wide range of interdisciplinary interests to tackle many of the questions currently being asked about this controversial figure. Lyotard's ideas about culture and ethics raise important questions but it is less than clear whether he provides tenable solutions. Contributors include Barry Smart, John O'Neill and Victor J. Seidler with subjects ranging from Lyotard's writings on justice and politics of difference, to those on feminism, youth and Judaism with one chapter devoted to his early writings. The Politics of Jean-Francois Lyotard is a significant addition to the material currently available on this highly influential figure and will therefore be essential reading for academics and researchers in the fields of philosophy, sociology and cultural studies.