LEISURE THEORY - RETROSPECT AND PROSPECT

The two main questions examined in this paper are: 1) What are the ach ievements of leisure theory at century's end?; and 2) What are the pro spects for theoretical developments in the future? The first half of t he paper argues that theoretical discussion has been dominated by thre e positions: functionalism/post industrial society theory; structurali sm; and postructuralism/postmodernism. Within this framework the speci alized theory and research traditions in the subject can be located. T he strengths and weaknesses of the three positions are discussed. The role of the ''gladiatorial paradigm'' in encouraging stereotyping and scapegoating is reviewed. The second half of the paper moves on to con sider the key issues identified as: 1)exploring the meaning of leisure in post-Fordist society; 2) developing a theory of deviant leisure; 3 ) developing which full employment is already a thing of the past; and 4) investigating the changing balance of inequalities between the lei sure rich and the leisure poor.