Modernity and its Futures is a major introductory textbookwhich examines the forces reshaping modern industrial societies andthe new patterns, structures and relationships that are emerging inthe contemporary world. The key debates about these changes areintroduced and critically discussed; they include thetransformation of Eastern Europe, the collapse of the USSR,globalisation, environmental challenges, post industrialism,cultural change and post-modernism. The book also looks back to theformation of modern societies, and of social science, to explorethe character of 'modernity' and the relationship between'early-modern' and 'post-modern' societies, and assess whether theparadigms and theories used to analyse 'modern' societies areadequate for social formations today. Designed as an introduction to modern societies and modernsociological analyses, this book is of value to students on a widevariety of social science courses in universities and colleges, andalso for readers with no prior knowledge of sociology. Selectedreadings from major social theorists are integrated into eachchapter, together with student questions and exercises.