This volume provides a compendium of papers presented at the 36th World Congress of the International Institute of Sociology, papers which address issues related to the age of globalization and social change, including cultural diversities, migration and equality, social transformation, and national identity.

Jing Tiankui, Ph.D. in Philosophy, Graduate School of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences(CASS) was vice President of the International Institute of Sociology (IIS) from 2001 to 2005, and is currently Director of the Institute of Sociology (CASS). Jing Tiankui's current projects focus on Social Policy and Social Security in the age of Socialism's Market Economics in China. Recent publication: The Theory and Practice of Social Justice (2002).
Masamichi Sasaki, Ph.D. in Sociology, Princeton University, Professor of Sociology at Chuo University, Tokyo and Visiting Professor & Director of Educational and Social Survey Research Center at Hyogo Kyoiku University, Japan, was President of the International Institute of Sociology (IIS) from 1997 to 2001. His recent publications include: 'Morality in Contemporary Society', in The Moral Fabric in Contemporary Societies (Leiden 2003) and (with T. Suzuki) Social Attitudes in Japan: Trend and Cross-National Perspectives (2nd edition, Leiden, 2002). His current research focuses on Globalization and National Identity, and Social Trust.
Li Peilin, Ph.D., Université de Paris 1 (Sorbonne), is Deputy Director of the Institute of Sociology (CASS). Li Peilin's current projects focus on Social Survey Studies in China. Recent publication: Social Conflicts and Class Consciousness (2005).