Composed of closely integrated papers, all written over the past few years, the book includes seven essays not previously published, plus two have not appeared in English before.

In assessing the likely future evolution of sociology in particular, and the social sciences in general, the author both draws upon ideas established in his more abstract theoretical writings and examines critically competing traditions of thought.

Those looking for an accessible introduction to Gidden's writing will find in this book a set of clear expositions of his basic ideas. By situating these ideas in relation to the critical assessment of the views of others, however, the author provides new sources of insight into the distinctiveness of his own claims.

Anthony Giddens is Director of 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.

1. What Do Sociologists Do?.

2. Nine Theses on the Future of Sociology.

3. The Social Sciences and Philosophy Trends in Recent Social Theory.

4. Structuralism, Post-Structuralism and the Production of Culture.

5. Erving Goffman as a Systematic Social Theorist.

6. Time and Social Organization.

7. Nation-States and Violence.

8. Social Theory and Problems of Macroeconomics.

9. Out of the Orrery: E.P.Thompson on Consciousness and History.

10. Reason Without Revolution? Heberman'sTheory of Communicative Action.

11. Alvin Gouldner and the Intellenctuals.

12. The Perils of Punditry: Gorz and the End of the Working Class.

Index.