Anthony Giddens has been described as 'the most important English social philosopher of our time'. Over twenty-five years, and even more books, he has established himself as the most widely-read and widely-cited social theorist of his generation. His ideas have profoundly influenced the writing and teaching of sociology and social theory throughout the English-speaking world. In recent years, his writing has become much more explicitly political, and in 1996 he took up his high-profile appointment as Director of the London School of Economics and Political Science. It is in this new position and with these new political ideas that he has been described as the key intellectual figure of New Labour in Britain. Following the astonishing success of Labour in the 1997 General Election, his ideas have been the focus of intense interest.

In this series of extended interviews with Chris Pierson, Giddens lays out with customary clarity and directness the principal themes in the development of his social theory and the distinctive political agenda which he recommends.

This volume will be of great interest to second- and third-year students in sociology and social theory, politics and political theory, as well as to the general reader.

Anthony Giddens is Director at the London School of Economics and Political Science. He was formerly Professor of Sociology and Fellow of King's College at the University of Cambridge.

Christopher Pierson is Professor of Politics at the University of Nottingham.

Preface.

The Sociology of Anthony Giddens: An Introduction by Martin O'Brien.

Interview 1: Life and Intellectual Career.

Interview 2: The Sociological Classics and Beyond.

Interview 3: Structuration Theory.

Interview 4: Modernity.

Interview 5: From the Transformation of Intimacy to Life Politics.

Interview 6: Politics Beyond Left and Right.

Interview 7: World Politics.

Centre Left at Centre Stage.

The Politics of Risk Society.

Beyond Chaos and Dogma.

Risks, Scares, Nightmares.