Social Change

"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.

Jay Weinstein is professor of sociology at Eastern Michigan University. He is the author of numerous books, including Applying Social Statistics, was the founding editor of the journal Applied Sociology, and is a past president of the Society of Applied Sociology.