This book, first published in 1989, addresses an issue that stood at the centre of sociological concern - the changing character of industrial societies. Through the analysis of this trend in the West, in Eastern Europe and in China the authors clarify central issues for the student of sociology.

Notes on Contributors; Introduction Richard Scase; 1. The limits and divisions of industrial capitalism Krishan Kumar 2. Corporatism and the New Right David McCrone, Brian Elliott and Frank Bechhofer 3. Employment relationships in economic recession Graeme Salaman 4. From 'informal economy' to 'forms of work': cross-national patterns and trends R. E. Pahl 5. Economic recession and gender division in Western capitalism Sheila Allen 6. Ethnic divisions and class in Western Europe Robert Moore 7. Social change, division and control in the USSR David Lane 8. Crisis and conflict in East European state socialism Howard Davis 9. Development and socialism in post-Mao China John Gardner; Bibliography; Index