In this book Anthony Giddens addresses a range of issues concerning current developments in social theory, relating them to the prospects for sociology in the closing decades of the twentieth century. Composed of closely integrated papers, all written over the past few 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 in particular, and the social sciences in general, the author both draws upon ideas established in his more abstract theoretical writings and examines critically competing traditions of thought. Those looking for an accessible introduction to Gidden's writing will find in this book a set of clear expositions of his basic ideas. By situating these ideas in relation to the critical assessment of the views of others, however, the author provides new sources of insight into the distinctiveness of his own claims.

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 publishedplus 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.

Preface.1. What Do Sociologists Do?.2. Nine Theses on the Future of Sociology.3. The Social Sciences and Philosophy - Trends in RecentSocial Theory.4. Structuralism, Post-Structuralism and the Production ofCulture.5. Erving Goffman as a Systematic Social Theorist.6. Time and Social Organization.7. Nation-States and Violence.8. Social Theory and Problems of Macroeconomics.9. Out of the Orrery: E.P.Thompson on Consciousness andHistory.10. Reason Without Revolution? Heberman's Theory ofCommunicative Action.11. Alvin Gouldner and the Intellenctuals.12. The Perils of Punditry: Gorz and the End of the WorkingClass.Index.