Consequences of Modernity

Author: Anthony Giddens
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2007-01-01
Features: Anthony Giddens is one of the most important sociologists in post-war Britain. Born in Edmonton, North London in 1938, he obtained his PhD from the University of Cambridge in 1976 and taught at the University of Leicester, Simon Fraser University, the University of California, Los Angeles, and the University of Cambridge. Since 1997, he has served as the Rector of the London School of Economics and Political Science. Giddens has always been at the forefront of the development of contemporary sociological theory and practice. His works encompass the social and political transformations of the past three decades, particularly his theories of structuration and "The Third Way," which have attracted global academic attention. He was also one of the key advisors to the Blair government. His other major works include Sociology (1982), The Constitution of Society (1984), The Nation-State and Violence (1985), Beyond Left and Right (1994), and The Third Way (1998). In this important theoretical work, the author explains institutional changes related to sexuality from a completely new and inspiring perspective. He argues that at the turn of the century, we did not enter a postmodern era but rather an era of "high modernity." During this period, the consequences of modernity have become unprecedentedly intense and pervasive. As a result, he examines more realistically the severe consequences of modernity, which many praise, and seriously discusses issues such as the rise of authoritarianism, the collapse of economic growth mechanisms, the destruction of the ecological environment, nuclear conflict, and large-scale war, while exploring potential solutions for humanity in the face of these challenges. Whether for professional scholars or general readers, this book holds immense value. It offers a new and quite attractive perspective on the nature of modernity and its special relationship with traditional social forms. Giddens, in an outstanding way, draws on the tradition of sociological thought since classical sociologists and pits different theorists against each other to establish his own views. His theories are not only built upon the entire tradition but also upon his early works.