Restructuring Britain: The Changing Social Structure

In the past decade, it is often argued, 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 of the current debate and explores the significance of recent cultural developments. Is there more social equality or less? How have changes in occupations, income and wealth affected the class structure? How do ethnic minorities fit into that structure? What has been the impact of women's increasing participation in the labour market? What effect has privatization had on housing, education and health care? How far has the north-south divide widened?

This stimulating introduction to contemporary British society investigates the realities behind the myths and assumptions. By exploring the nature and scale of the changes that have occurred, the volume enables the reader to analyse and evaluates the theories that attempt to explain them.

Clearly written and illustrated with numerous figures and tables, this thought-provoking textbook is essential reading for students and lecturers in sociology, geography, economics and politics, as well as those taking interdisciplinary courses on modern Britain.

The Changing Social Structure is a course book for the Open University course, D314 Restructuring Britain.

In the past decade, it is often argued, 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 of the current debate and explores the significance of recent cultural developments. This stimulating introduction to contemporary British society investigates the realities behind the myths and assumptions and evaluates the theories that attempt to explain them. This thought-provoking textbook is essential reading for students and lecturers in sociology, geography, economics and politics, and more.