The Challenge of Social Change.

Since its beginnings in the nineteenth century, the problem of explaining social change has been a central concern of sociology. Yet, suggest the authors of this book, contemporary sociologists have failed to confront social change in the late twentieth century with the same depth of analysis and concern as the founding fathers of sociology. The purpose of this book is to examine social change in the context of the social crisis facing society and to consider how sociology can regain its role as a critical science by offering theoretical and methodological proposals for understanding social change. Common themes run through the book. There is wide agreement on the importance of cultural and knowledge-producing processes in social change. All the authors emphasize social praxis in one way or another, and recognize its implications for social action, innovation and intervention. There is a common appreciation of the role as social actors of groups other than classes.