The
Rise of Modern Society
Aspects of the Social & Political Development of the West
by Krishan
Kumar
What
is the sociological theory of industrialism, and how far do the actual histories
and practices of industrial societies match up to this theory? The studies in
this volume examine many of the economic, social, political and cultural changes
which the industrialization of society has caused, looking at continuities and
discontinuities through pre-industrial, industrial and post-industrial societies
before considering particular aspects, for example, the shortcomings of the
Marxest theory of class are shown up by application to nineteenth-century English
society; the theory of revolution is examined for its relevance to the conditions
of advanced industrial societies; the changing meanings and changing practices
of work and employment are traced; and the current problems of Britain are used
to point the way to the future of other societies.
These incisive
essays by one of Britain's most admired social theorists will be of lasting
value for all concerned with the history and future of modern society.
'To measure
the balance of gains and loses in modernity, and to increase the former against
the latte, require forms of social accounting and social engineering which have
so far defied the efforts of social science and government. But in practice
this does not matter. No one can wait for that problem to be solved, if it ever
can be. To modernize is to take everything, the bad with the good. Not to modernize
is to play no part in the life of contemporary humanity. One of the unusual,
and historically unprecedented, aspects of modernization is that it leaves no
choice in the matter.'
More books
by Krishan Kumar
From
Post-Industrial to Post-Modern Society: Second Edition
Utopia and Anti-Utopia in
Modern Times
1989 Revolutionary Ideas
& Ideals
Revolution:
The Theory & Practice of a European Idea
Prophecy
& Progress: The Sociology of Industrial & Post-Industrial Society
Dilemmas
of Liberal Democracies: Studies in Fred Hirsch's Social Limits to Growth
Utopianism
Utopias and the Millennium
Public & Private
in Thought & Practice
The Making of English
National Identity
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