Michael Mann is a central figure in contemporary sociology. His analysis of how the four sources of social power - ideological, economic, military and political - have shaped world history is a major contribution to social science. In this volume, distinguished scholars assess Mann's work, focusing on his final two volumes of Sources of Social Power, which deal with the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. They tackle some of the major themes in Mann's work including globalisation, American empire and the recent financial crisis. They also question his stance on some perennial topics in sociology: is the trajectory of American society 'exceptional'? How is military power different from the other sources of power? What is the role of agency and ideology in social change? How do the relations between states affect domestic social development? Global Powers will provoke debate among all those interested in understanding the next phase of globalisation.

Critically assessing Michael Mann's work on social change in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, Global Powers provides an account of some central issues in social science. It includes analyses of the world wars and revolutions and covers America's role in the world, the financial crisis of 2008 and international conflict.

1. Introduction Ralph Schroeder; Part I. Theory and History: 2. The evolution of the sources of social power and some extensions Risto Heiskala; 3. The return of big historical sociology Dennis Smith; 4. Taming the chief: from evolutionary theory to political ideology Georgi Derluguian, Timothy Earle and Will Reno; Part II. Political, Economic, Military and Ideological Questions: 5. On political decency John A. Hall; 6. Mann on neoliberalism Monica Prasad; 7. Nationalism and military power in the twentieth century and beyond Siniša Maleševi¿; 8. History, historical sociology and the problem of ideology: the cases of communism and neoliberalism David Priestland; 9. Mann's globalisations and their limits Ralph Schroeder; Part III. American Exceptionalism: 10. Ethnicity, class and the social sources of US exceptionalism Liliana Riga; 11. Mann's big picture of US social citizenship: 'Road to World Empire' with Bob Hope Edwin Amenta; Part IV. Empire: 12. Mann and the problem of Empire John Darwin; 13. Hegemonic power during the Cold War and beyond Odd Arne Westad; 14. The last Empire? American power, liberalism and world order G. John Ikenberry; Part V. Response: 15. Response to the critics Michael Mann.