Social and Cultural Change

The rate of social change today—as well as the geographic reach of its effects—is unprecedented in human history. People throughout the world are experiencing both more (and more intense) intergroup unity and more and (more intense) intergroup conflict. The activities of millions of individuals are now routinely coordinated to achieve specific, predetermined goals in government, the private sector, and in international relations. At the same time, such a high degree of control also carries the ever-present danger that things can become out of control in new and dangerous ways or fall under the control of the wrong people. Social and Cultural Change is about these momentous and relatively recent changes in the human condition. The book brings the concepts and principles of social science to bear in an examination of (1) the major causes and conditions underlying our current situation; and (2) the main choices and options we face as we strive to shape our collective futures. The book consists of fifteen chapters, divided into five parts. The parts are ordered cumulatively, with the earlier chapters focusing on concepts and principles and the later ones applying these in specific contexts.