What in the World?: Understanding Global Social Change

This book develops a global perspective on social change by provincializing Europe and bringing together scholars from international relations, history, and sociology. It offers theoretical approaches, analytical takes, and substantive research areas that offer new vistas for understanding change on a global scale.

Format: Hardback
Length: 316 pages
Publication date: 16 December 2020
Publisher: Bristol University Press

Analysing social change has frequently been plagued by parochialism, be it Eurocentrism, which extrapolates European experiences outward, or disciplinary narrowness that disregards insights from other academic disciplines. This book seeks to transcend these boundaries and establish a global perspective on social change. By provincializing Europe, the book aims to analyse European modernity as a product of global developments and brings together renowned scholars from international relations, history, and sociology to seek common understandings. In doing so, it offers a diverse range of promising theoretical approaches, analytical perspectives, and substantive research areas that provide fresh avenues for comprehending change on a global scale.

The book's approach is innovative in its recognition that social change is not solely driven by internal factors within Europe but also by broader global forces. It acknowledges the interconnectedness of the world and the impact of transnational processes, such as trade, migration, and technology, on social structures and identities. By adopting a global perspective, the book seeks to bridge the gap between different academic disciplines and promote a more comprehensive understanding of social change.

One of the key strengths of the book is its interdisciplinary approach. It brings together scholars from various fields, each with their unique perspectives and expertise, to explore the complex dynamics of social change. This collaboration fosters a rich exchange of ideas and enables a more holistic understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing societies around the world.

The book offers a range of promising theoretical frameworks and analytical approaches that can be applied to study social change on a global scale. For instance, it explores the role of power, institutions, and social movements in shaping social change, and examines how different cultural and historical contexts influence the processes of change. It also explores the impact of globalization on social structures, identities, and power relations, and examines the strategies employed by individuals and communities to adapt to and resist these changes.

In addition to its theoretical contributions, the book also provides a wealth of substantive research areas that offer valuable insights into the dynamics of social change. These research areas include the study of social inequality, gender dynamics, youth culture, and the role of religion in shaping social change. By examining these diverse topics, the book provides a comprehensive understanding of the complex factors that contribute to social change and the challenges and opportunities that arise in response to these changes.

Overall, this book is a valuable resource for scholars, researchers, and policymakers interested in understanding social change on a global scale. Its interdisciplinary approach, rich theoretical frameworks, and substantive research areas offer new perspectives and insights into the complex processes of social transformation. By transcending parochialism and promoting a global perspective, the book contributes to the ongoing dialogue on social change and its implications for our world.

Weight: 630g
Dimension: 162 x 240 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781529213317