Social Theory and Modern Sociology

In this book Anthony Giddens addresses a range of issues concerningcurrent developments in social theory, relating them to theprospects for sociology in the closing decades of the twentiethcentury. Composed of closely integrated papers, all written over the pastfew years, the book includes seven essays not previously published,plus two have not appeared in English before. In assessing the likely future evolution of sociology inparticular, and the social sciences in general, the author bothdraws upon ideas established in his more abstract theoreticalwritings and examines critically competing traditions ofthought. Those looking for an accessible introduction to Gidden's writingwill find in this book a set of clear expositions of his basicideas. By situating these ideas in relation to the criticalassessment of the views of others, however, the author provides newsources of insight into the distinctiveness of his own claims.