Social Change

This introduction to social change covers the momentous and relatively recent changes that have occurred in the human condition, examining not only the major causes and conditions underlying our current situation, but also the main choices and options we face as we strive to shape our individual and collective futures. This edition of Social Change has been thoroughly updated and revised. Building on previous editions, the book introduces a social scientific approach to change, discusses the components of change and the factors driving them, examines change on the macro-level, then looks toward the future with a discussion of planned change. Most chapters explore societies of yesterday, today, and tomorrow, and include comparative dimensions, especially along First, Second, and Third World lines. The engaging narrative traces several themes, such as the rise of capitalism and the socialist alternative, or civil rights movements in the United States and elsewhere, throughout the book. Social Change, Third Edition features a new discussion of the recent economic crisis and the interconnectedness of the global economy, new empirical data on globalization, and updated discussions of the concepts of evolution and altruism. It also incorporates the dramatic changes in India and China throughout the book. Jay Weinstein's Book Is Exceptionally Thorough And Covers The Field Of Social Change Very Nicely. It Is Particularly Strong Because Of Its Comparative Approach And Includes A Lot Of Useful Historical Material As Well As Succinct Accounts Of The Major Theoretical Approaches To The Subject. This New Edition Is Not Only An Excellent Textbook But Is Worth Reading For Its Own Sake By Anyone Who Wants To Know More About How Societies Develop, Change, And Adapt.--daniel Chirot, Henry M. Jackson School Of International Studies This Introduction To Social Change Covers The Momentous And Relatively Recent Changes That Have Occurred In The Human Condition, Examining Not Only The Major Causes And Conditions Underlying Our Current Situation But Also The Main Choices And Options We Face As We Strive To Shape Our Individual And Collective Futures. The Third Edition Of Social Change Has Been Thoroughly Updated And Revised. Building On Previous Editions, The Book Introduces A Social Scientific Approach To Change, Discusses The Components Of Change And The Factors Driving Them, And Examines Change On The Macrolevel, Then Looks Toward The Future With A Discussion Of Planned Change. Most Chapters Explore Societies Of Yesterday, Today, And Tomorrow, And Include Comparative Dimensions, Especially Along First, Second, And Third World Lines. The Engaging Narrative Traces Several Themes, Such As The Rise Of Capitalism And The Socialist Alternative And The Civil Rights Movements In The United States And Elsewhere, Throughout The Book. This Edition Also Features A Discussion Of The Recent Economic Crisis And The Interconnectedness Of The Global Economy, New Empirical Data On Globalization, And Updated Discussions Of The Concepts Of Evolution And Altruism. It Also Incorporates Discussion Throughout The Book Of The Dramatic Changes In India And China.--book Jacket. The Social Scientific Perspective -- Social And Cultural Evolution -- Population Growth And Demographic Transition -- The Heritage And Dynamics Of Culture -- Social Structures, Systems, And Processes -- Social Movements : Concepts And Principles -- Movements And Revolutions In Context -- The Process Of Technological Innovation -- From Gemeinschaft To Gesellschaft : The Urbanization Of The Human Population -- A World Divided -- The Market, Capitalism, And Socialism -- The Paradoxes Of Development -- Democratic Planning And Applied Sociology -- The Political Economy Of Globalization. Jay Weinstein. Prev. Published Under Title: Social And Cultural Change. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Annotation This book is about the momentous and relatively recent changes that have occurred in the human condition. It is premised on the understanding, shared widely among scholars in many fields, that people have never before so urgently needed the exceptional powers of cooperation they have developed. The kind of world that we leave to our children and grandchildren will be largely determined by how we use our new capacity to work together as individuals, groups, and nations