Social Change in Contemporary Britain

by Nicholas Abercrombie

This book is a lively and up-to-date account of the major developments in British society over the last twenty-five years. It is an excellent teaching text and ideal companion volume to the highly successful textbook Contemporary British Society.
Consisting of nine essays by leading sociologists Social Change in Contemporary Britain examines some of the most important changes which have occurred within the lifetime of most students today. Huw Beynon examines the decline of manufacturing industry and asks whether we are witnessing the end of the industrial worker and union militancy. Rosemary Crompton discusses changes in higher education and considers what effects these have had, if any, on the employment opportunities of women. Simon Frith reviews the development of pop music over the past twenty-five years, from the Beatles to Live Aid, and asks what is new about the music scene of today.
The volume also includes Jonathan Gershuny on the changing sexual division of labour; Bob Jessop on Thatcherism and post-Fordism; Liz Stanley on changes in household structure and dynamics; Paul Heelas on new religious movements; and Jock Young on crime and policing from the 1960s to the 1980s. Clearly written and well illustrated, Social Change in Contemporary Britain is suitable for A level sociology courses and first-year introductory sociology courses at universities, colleges and polytechnics.

189 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 1992

About the author

Nicholas Abercrombie is emeritus fellow of sociology at Lancaster University.