Societies have always been formed in a relationship with the rest of the universe. With rapid developments in satellite communications and imaging, space exploration and tourism, military space technology, and cosmology itself, relationships with outer space are changing. These changes have inspired a wave of critical academic work in recent years, re-examining the history, present and future of outer space and the place of humans within it. This handbook provides an in-depth exploration of major themes relating to society, culture and the universe and will inspire and cultivate debate in this exciting and burgeoning area of study for future researchers and theorists. Bringing together scholarship from a range of disciplines including geography, economics, history, political science, sociology, philosophy, science and technology studies, law, cultural astronomy, anthropology, media studies, literature, psychosocial studies and art, it closely examines how outer space is socially produced, experienced, perceived and imagined, and the significance of this for terrestrial social life.

An original vision and a pedagogical text on a major issue of our time and, even more, of our childens. Goeran Therborn is University Professor of Sociology at Uppsala University, Sweden, and Professor and Chair of Sociology at the University of Cambridge, UK. Arguably the most important and certainly the most ambitious book of recent sociology. Bryan Turner, Editor of the Cambridge Dictionary of Sociology. Space weaponry, satellite surveillance and communications, and private space travel are all means in which outer space is being humanized: incorporated into society's projects. But what are the political implications of society not only being globalized, but becoming 'cosmic'? Our ideas about society have long affected, and been affected by, our understanding of the universe: large sections of our economy and society are now organized around humanity's use of outer space. Our view of the universe, our increasingly 'cosmic' society, and even human consciousness are being transformed by new relations with the cosmos. As the first sociological book to tackle humanity's relationship with the universe, this fascinating volume links social theory to classical and contemporary science, and proposes a new 'cosmic' social theory. Written in a punchy, student-friendly style, this timely book engages with a range of topical issues, including cyberspace, terrorism, tourism, surveillance and globalization.

An original vision and a pedagogical text on a major issue of our time and, even more, of our childens. Goeran Therborn is University Professor of Sociology at Uppsala University, Sweden, and Professor and Chair of Sociology at the University of Cambridge, UK. Arguably the most important and certainly the most ambitious book of recent sociology. Bryan Turner, Editor of the Cambridge Dictionary of Sociology. Space weaponry, satellite surveillance and communications, and private space travel are all means in which outer space is being humanized: incorporated into society's projects. But what are the political implications of society not only being globalized, but becoming 'cosmic'? Our ideas about society have long affected, and been affected by, our understanding of the universe: large sections of our economy and society are now organized around humanity's use of outer space. Our view of the universe, our increasingly 'cosmic' society, and even human consciousness are being transformed by new relations with the cosmos. As the first sociological book to tackle humanity's relationship with the universe, this fascinating volume links social theory to classical and contemporary science, and proposes a new 'cosmic' social theory. Written in a punchy, student-friendly style, this timely book engages with a range of topical issues, including cyberspace, terrorism, tourism, surveillance and globalization.

Sociological Theory and the Environment is a comprehensive survey and assessment of sociological theories of the relations between societies and their "natural" biophysical environment. This book touches on and addresses virtually all of the major perspectives, focal points, and debates in environmental sociology today--classical and twentieth century social theories, macro-micro linkage issues, globalization and development, reflexive modernization, ecological modernization vs. "limits" viewpoints, modernity and post modernity, risk society, constructionalism-realism, environmental movements/identities, consumption and environment, cultural sociologies of the environment, and so on. At the same time, the book aims to go beyond an inventory of environmental sociological theory. Sociological Theory and the Environment stresses how new ground can be broken in the articulation of environmental sociology with major classical and contemporary sociological theories.

Contents:
Acknowledgements. Questions in a crisis: The contested meanings of globalisation in the Asia Pacific. Phillip Kelly and Kris Olds. Global Discourses. Reflections on golobalisation and its (il)logic(s). Bob Jessop. Globalism and the politics of place. Arif Dirlik. The globaisation of the system of business knowledge. Nigel Thrift. Resisting Globalisation: Environmental politics in Eastern Asia. James H. Mittelman. Regional reformations. The political economy of globalisation in East Asia: The Salience of 'Region Building'. Richard Higgott. INvesting in the future: East and Southeast Asian firms in the global economy. Peter Dicken and Henry Wai-chung Yeung. Rethinking globaisation: Re-articulating the spatial scales and temporal horizons of trans-border spaces. Ngai-Ling Sum. Reterritorializing the state. Servicing the global economy: reconfigures states and private agents. Saskia Sassen. Globalisation and the limits to national economic management. Cayetano Paderanga Jr. Global Lives. Class formation, hybridity and ethnification in declining global hegemonies. Jonathan Friedman. Citizens in Transnational nation-states: The Asian experience. Nina Glick Schiller. Globalisation, transmigration nd the renegotiation of ethnic identity. Lily Kong. Globalisation, Postcolonialism and new represenations of the pacific Asia Metropolis. Dean Forbes. References. Index.

Most books that analyse the crucial subject of globalisation only look at it from a western perspective. This is the first detailed study to look at globalisation specifically in the Asia-Pacific region. An impressive collection of leading, interdisciplinary scholars explore various dimensions of globalisation, and their relationship to development processes in the region.

One of the main features of the contemporary environmental crisis is that no-one has a clear pictue of what is taking place. Environmental problems are real enough but they bring home the inadequacy of our knowledge. How does the natural world relate to the social world? Why do we continue to have such a poor understanding? How can ecological knowledge be made to relate to our understanding of human society? The book argues that the division of labour is a key but neglected factor underlying people's inability to adequately understand and relate to the natural world. The argument extends Marx's theory of alienation to account for inadequate knowledge and therefore inadequate concern for nature. Using recent developments in "critical realist" philosophy, the book aims to find ways of reorganising knowledge in the light of ecological consciousness. It also corrects the emphasis of much environmental literature by focusing on production rather than consumption.

This study places the British middle classes in their historical and regional contexts in order to explain how they exercise a powerful impact in British society. It develops a theoretical perspective on the middle classes, criticizing theories of "the service class", and draws upon the works of Ohlin-Wright and Bourdieu to develop a theoretical realist perspective which is sensitive to the variety of ways in which middle class formation takes place. It argues that the British middle class have been split between a cohesive and well-established professional middle class, and an insecure and marginal managerial and self-employed middle class. This text argues that recent changes in economic restructuring have enabled the professional middle class to consolidate its position of dominance. The managerial middle class are however becoming more marginal and insecure. The book explores the implications of this position by analyzing processes of social and spatial mobility, cultural practices and political mobilization.

This book offers a new understanding of society's relations with the cosmos. Entrepreneurs such as Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk receive a great deal of publicity, but offer unlikely and implausible visions of space tourism for the general public. Meanwhile, asteroids are seen as 'rare materials' which will be extracted and used to produce untold riches for earthbound citizens. The reality is rather different. First, there is no evidence that owners of capital are attempting to extract 'rare' materials in the cosmos. The costs would be 'out of this world'. But capital, not governments, is determining how outer space should be used. Capital's investments in aerospace companies are actively determining forms of military interventions and the equipment used. And satellite television pumps out forms of culture aimed at a global audience. But these are being ignored and subverted by, for example, indigenous peoples. In short, this book sets out a new understanding of our relations with the cosmos. The forces of capital are certainly powerful but at the same time they are being challenged, subverted and even overturned.

Global Shift is - quite simply - the definitive work on economic globalization. The extensive use of graphics, lack of jargon, and clear definition of terms has made it the standard work for the social sciences. The Seventh Edition has been completely updated using the latest available sources. It maps the changing centres of gravity of the global economy and explains the global financial crisis. Each chapter has been extensively rewritten and new material introduced to explain the most recent empirical developments; ideas on production, distribution, consumption; and corporate governance. Global Shift provides: The most comprehensive and up-to-date explanation of economic globalization available, examining the role of transnational corporations, states, labour, consumers, organizations in civil society, and the power relations between them. A clear guide to how the global economy is being transformed through the operation of global production networks involving transnational corporations, states, interest groups and technology. Extended discussion of problems and institutions of global governance in the context of the global economic crisis and of the role of corporate social responsibility. A suite of extensive online ancillaries for both students and lecturers, including author videos, case studies, lecture notes, and free access to specially selected journal articles related to each chapter. There is only one definitive guide to economic globalization for the social sciences: and that's Peter Dicken's Global Shift.

The definitive text on globalization, this book provides an accessible, jargon-free analysis of how the world economy works and its effects on people and places. Peter Dicken synthesizes the latest ideas and empirical data to blaze a clear path through the thicket of globalization processes and debates. The book highlights the dynamic interactions among transnational corporations, nations, and other key players, and their role in shaping the uneven contours of development. Mapping the changing centers of gravity of the global economy, Dicken presents in-depth case studies of six major industries. Now in full color throughout, the text features 228 figures. Companion websites for students and instructors offer extensive supplemental resources, including author videos, applied case studies with questions, lecture notes with PowerPoint slides, discipline-specific suggested further reading for each chapter, and interactive flashcards. New to This Edition: *Every chapter thoroughly revised and updated. *All 228 figures (now in color) are new or redesigned. *Addresses the ongoing fallout from the recent global financial crisis. *Discussions of timely topics: tax avoidance and corporate social responsibility; global problems of unemployment, poverty, and inequality; environmental degradation; the Eurozone crisis; and more. *Enhanced online resources for instructors and students.

* What is the value of evolutionary thought to social theory - and vice-versa? * How has human nature evolved and is it realized or constrained by modern society? * Are there parallels between social evolution and evolution in the natural world? Social Darwinism is the extension of Darwin's evolutionary ideas to human society. Over the past two centuries it has been argued that the 'fittest' in terms of physical and mental prowess are most likely to survive and reproduce. It has also been suggested that the increasingly complex structure of human society mirrors the increasing complexity of nature. This highly original text examines whether these extensions from nature to society are justified, and considers how dangerous they may be in implying the systematic neglect - or even destruction - of the least 'fit'. It asks what, in any case, is 'fitness' as applied to human beings? It also questions whether human nature is constrained by modern society and whether people evolved as essentially competitive or collaborative. Written in a clear and accessible style, with text boxes to explain key ideas and little or no biological knowledge required of the reader, this book suggests a new way in which evolutionary thought and social theory can be combined. Dickens argues that the difficulties and prejudices associated with the field can be avoided by combining historical materialism with aspects of contemporary biology to create a 'Social Darwinism' for the twenty-first century.

One of the main features of the contemporary environmental crisis is that no-one has a clear pictue of what is taking place. Environmental problems are real enough but they bring home the inadequacy of our knowledge. How does the natural world relate to the social world? Why do we continue to have such a poor understanding? How can ecological knowledge be made to relate to our understanding of human society? The book argues that the division of labour is a key but neglected factor underlying people's inability to adequately understand and relate to the natural world. The argument extends Marx's theory of alienation to account for inadequate knowledge and therefore inadequate concern for nature. Using recent developments in "critical realist" philosophy, the book aims to find ways of reorganising knowledge in the light of ecological consciousness. It also corrects the emphasis of much environmental literature by focussing on production rather than consumption.