This major introductory textbook examines the political and economic dimensions of twentieth-century industrialised societies. The main themes include; the development of democracy, the role of the state, the nature of citizenship, the impact of new social movements, the organisation of production, the national and international division of labour and the experience of power and control in work. While the primary focus is on Britain, there is a strong comparative emphasis with reference to Japan, North America, Western and Eastern Europe.

Designed as an introduction to modern societies and modern sociological analyses, this book is of value to students on a wide variety of social science courses in universities and colleges, and also to readers with no prior knowledge of sociology. Selected readings from a wide range of social theorists (for example, Goran Therborn, Norberto Bobbio, Ralph Miliband, Bryan Turner, T.H. Marshall, Carole Pateman and Christel Lane) are integrated in each chapter, together with student questions and exercises.

Political and Economic Forms of Modernity is the second volume in a series of four books which form the basic study materials of an Open University course entitled Understanding Modern Societies. Together the books provide a comprehensive and stimulating introduction to sociology, drawing on new developments and current debates.