Restructuring Britain: The Changing Social Structure (Published in association with The Open University)

It has been argued that in the past decade the enterprise culture, monetarism and hands-off government have inaugurated a new phase of social change in the United Kingdom. But how widespread or profound is the metamorphosis? The Changing Social Structure addresses the major topics surrounding this current debate: the significance of recent cultural developments, social equality, class structure, ethnic minorities, the impact of working women on the labor market, privatization, and the north-south divide. This stimulating introduction to British society covers both the empirical aspects and the theories of social change and illustrates the urban and regional dimensions of change. A thought-provoking look at modern British society, this volume will be essential reading for scholars and professionals in the areas of sociology, geography, and political science.

Linda McDowell is Professor of Human Geography at the University of Oxford.