Anthony Giddens is one of the most respected and influential social theorists at work today. This wide-ranging and stimulating volume, first published in 1991, provides an authoratative and penetrating critical assessment of social theory. It will be of use to all students of sociology and social theory.

This book, first published in 1976, discusses four classical paradigms for sociology - the positivism of Saint-Simon and Comte, Durkheim, Marx and Weber - and four contemporary developments or revisions of them - the sociologie active of Dumazedier and his colleagues in France, sociology in Socialist Poland, the work of Dahrendorf and the 'new sociology' of Mills and his successors. Christopher Bryant suggests that no neutral language exists in which to compare the characteristics of these different paradigms, yet highlights those features which are common to all of them. Unique in its approach and analysis of the relationship between sociology and action, this book is of value and interest to students of sociology and theory and professional sociologists.

Anthony Giddens is one of the most respected and influential social theorists at work today. This wide-ranging and stimulating volume, first published in 1991, provides an authoratative and penetrating critical assessment of social theory. It will be of use to all students of sociology and social theory.

This book focuses on the operational and clinical strategies needed to improve care of Emergency Psychiatric patients. Boarding of psychiatric patients in ED's is recognized as a national crisis. The American College of Emergency Physicians identified strategies to decrease boarding of psychiatric patients as one of their top strategic goals. Currently, there are books on clinical care of psychiatric patients, but this is the first book that looks at both the clinical and operational aspects of caring for these patients in ED setting. This book discusses Lean methodology, the impact of long stay patients using queuing methodology, clinical guidelines and active treatment of psychiatric patients in the ED.

This book, first published in 1976, discusses four classical paradigms for sociology - the positivism of Saint-Simon and Comte, Durkheim, Marx and Weber - and four contemporary developments or revisions of them - the sociologie active of Dumazedier and his colleagues in France, sociology in Socialist Poland, the work of Dahrendorf and the 'new sociology' of Mills and his successors. Christopher Bryant suggests that no neutral language exists in which to compare the characteristics of these different paradigms, yet highlights those features which are common to all of them. Unique in its approach and analysis of the relationship between sociology and action, this book is of value and interest to students of sociology and theory and professional sociologists.

The post-Communist societies of Eastern Europe are examples of a social formation of great theoretical interest with distinctive features of its own. They reveal that Soviet-imposed "real socialism" has produced more fundamental and enduring changes in the region than had generally been believed. This is most evident in the societies which have historically been the most western-oriented, and in which political and economic reforms are now most advanced: Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary. Their governments are trying to effect a transition to democracy and the free market in conditions which are not necessarily propitious. It is already clear that many of the immediate benefits which neo-liberals expcted to flow from dismantling the old system have not materialized; what the eventual outcome of the changes will be is open to question. For this reason it is better to speak of a transition from a known past to an unknown future than a transition to a guaranteed end-state. Among the central issues discussed in this text are the legacy of real socialism, the efficacy of neo-liberal economic reforms and the demand for social protection, and the status of "homo economicus"

This book focuses on the operational and clinical strategies needed to improve care of Emergency Psychiatric patients. Boarding of psychiatric patients in ED's is recognized as a national crisis. The American College of Emergency Physicians identified strategies to decrease boarding of psychiatric patients as one of their top strategic goals. Currently, there are books on clinical care of psychiatric patients, but this is the first book that looks at both the clinical and operational aspects of caring for these patients in ED setting. This book discusses Lean methodology, the impact of long stay patients using queuing methodology, clinical guidelines and active treatment of psychiatric patients in the ED.

Rural policy in industrialized countries is currently undergoing significant change. "Place-based economies," where the unique attributes and assets of individual places determine their attractiveness for particular types of activities and investments, are increasingly important for rural development. "The Next Rural Economies" debates the future of rural development and highlights successes and failures to inform research, policy and community action. Case studies present discussions of the current state of rural community and economic restructuring and provide research and policy directions for constructing resilient and sustainable rural economies.