Understanding Contemporary Society: Theories of the Present is a comprehensive textbook to guide students through the complexities of social theory today. Over 30 chapters, written by an international team of contributors, demonstrate clearly the practical applications of social theory in making sense of the modern world. Students are both introduced to the most significant theories and guided through the major social developments which shape our lives.

Theory, Theorists and Themes - Gary Browning, Abigail Halcli and Frank Webster A User's Guide to Understanding the PresentPART ONE: THEORIES Postmodernism - Christopher Norris A Guide for the PerplexedPost-Feminism - Mich[gr]ele BarrettPost-History - Krishan Kumar Living at the EndPost-Marxism - Terrell CarverPost-Colonialism and Beyond - Don RobothamReflexive Modernization - Ted BentonNarrative - Susan StephensonRational Choice Theory - John ScottComplexity Theory - Tim BlackmanContemporary Liberalism - Gary BrowningDemocracy - Nick Hewlett Liberal and DirectCommunitarianism - Elizabeth FrazerNew Thinking in International Relations - Kimberly HutchingsUtopia and Dystopia - Stephen CrookPART TWO: THEMESPost-Modernity - David LyonGlobalization - Barrie AxfordRestructuring - Andy KilmisterCities in the Global Economy - Saskia SassenCultural Studies - Rick MaxwellIntellectuals - Carl BoggsHigher Education - Frank WebsterMass Communication - Kaarle NordenstrengThe Web - Vincent MoscoNationalism - Murray LowIslam - Sarah AnsariCultural Pluralism Today - Avigail EisenbergFamilies and Households - Mary MaynardThe Body - Chris ShillingIntimate Choices - Ken PlummerEnvironmentalism - David PepperSocial Movements - Abigail HalcliSocial Inequalities - Harriet Bradley Coming to Terms with Complexity