Table Of ContentExploring Social Change
Exploring Social Change provides a compelling analysis of theories that explain social change, innovation,
social movements, and revolution, and concludes with reflections about how individuals do and should live in
an uncertain and rapidly changing world. Written in a personal and clear manner, the authors provide
definitions of key terms and analysis of theories and ideas from the study of social change.
The seventh edition includes updated examples reflecting the social changes that have occurred in the world
around us, including new discussions on the environmental and social landscapes, as well as updated methods
and discussions that reflect that changing field of social change study.
Charles L. Harper is an emeritus professor of sociology at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. As a
member of the faculty there since 1968, he developed and taught numerous courses in the sociology
department. Dr. Harper’s teaching and scholarly interests included the study of social change, globalization,
the sociology of religion, social theory, and environmental sociology. He has published papers in a variety of
academic journals.
Kevin T. Leicht is professor of sociology and department chair at the University of Illinois Urbana-
Champaign. His research examines the relationship between globalization, economic change, and social
inequality in a variety of contexts. His work has appeared in the American Sociological Review, American
Journal of Sociology, Social Forces and the Academy of Management Journal, and he is the former editor of The
Sociological Quarterly and Research in Social Stratification and Mobility. Currently he serves as president-elect
of the Midwest Sociological Society.
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I’ve used previous editions of this text for many years. This new edition provides a timely extension. It is remarkable for its breadth of focus
spanning classical to contemporary theory, key substantive literatures, and global and national changes. With engaging discussions of
ongoing debates and concrete examples, the text will interest students across the social sciences.
Linda Lobao, Professor, Rural Sociology, Sociology, and Geography, The Ohio State University
An exceptionally well-conceived and engaging presentation that enables students to easily navigate the complexities of social change at the
local, national, and global levels, while offering instructors lots of flexibility in designing their course. Uncommonly clear and thoughtful
presentation of the subject matter. Highly recommended!
Jeffrey Kentor, Professor and Chair, Sociology, Wayne State University
This brilliant introduction to social change addresses the most important features of today’s world—the rise of China, the women’s
movement, global population growth, revolutions in the Arab world, the spread of social media and new technologies, and more. Harper and
Leicht show how modern sociology helps us understand these changes, and can give us the insights we need to shape our future.
Jack Goldstone, Virginia E. and John T. Hazel, Jr. Professor of Public Policy and Director, Center for Global Policy, George Mason University
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Exploring Social Change
America and the World
Seventh Edition
Charles L. Harper and Kevin T. Leicht
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Seventh edition published 2019
by Routledge
2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon, OX14 4RN
and by Routledge
711 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business
© 2019 Taylor & Francis
The right of Charles L. Harper and Kevin T. Leicht to be identified as authors of this work has been asserted by
them in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any
electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and
recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers.
Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered trademarks, and are used only
for identification and explanation without intent to infringe.
First edition published by Prentice Hall 1989
Sixth edition published by Prentice Hall 2011
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Harper, Charles L., author. | Leicht, Kevin T.,
author.
Title: Exploring social change: america and the world
Charles L. Harper and Kevin T. Leicht.
Description: 7th Edition. | New York: Routledge, 2018. |
Revised edition of the authors' Exploring social
change. c2011. | Includes bibliographical references
and index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2017054039 (print) | LCCN
2017058502 (ebook) | ISBN 9781315166421 (Master
Ebook) | ISBN 9781138054752 (hardback: alk.
paper) | ISBN 9781138054806 (pbk.: alk. paper) |
ISBN 9781315166421 (ebk)
Subjects: LCSH: Social change. | Social change—United
States. | United States—Social conditions—1945-
Classification: LCC HM831 (ebook) | LCC HM831 .H285
2018 (print) | DDC 303.4—dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017054039
ISBN: 978-1-138-05475-2 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-1-138-05480-6 (pbk)
ISBN: 978-1-315-16642-1 (ebk)
Typeset in Times
by Apex CoVantage, LLC
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Contents
Preface
A Note to Instructors
List of Illustrations
List of Abbreviations
Chapter 1
By Way of Introduction
What is Social Change?
Sociology and Social Change
What You Can Expect from This Book and How it is Organized
Thinking Personally about Social Change
PART I
EXPLAINING CHANGE
Chapter 2
The Causes and Patterns of Change
Theory in Sociology
The Causes of Change
Materialistic Perspectives
Idealistic Perspectives
Patterns of Change
In Conclusion
Thinking Personally about Social Change
Chapter 3
Social Theory and Social Change
Functionalist Theory
Conflict Theory
Multiple Perspectives and Change: Reconciling Agency and Structure
In Conclusion: Large-Scale Change and Human Agency
Thinking Personally about Social Change
PART II
SOCIAL CHANGE IN THE UNITED STATES
Chapter 4
American Social Trends
Structural Trends
Changing Cultural Themes
Countertrends and Reactions to Modernity: Antimodernism and Postmodernism
In Conclusion
Thinking Personally about Social Change
Chapter 5
Change in the Settings of Everyday Life: Populations, Families, and Work
Demographic Change
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Changing Families
Transforming Work
In Conclusion
Thinking Personally about Social Change
Chapter 6
Economics, Politics, and the American Prospect
The Changing Economy
Change in the Political System
Change, Problems, and the American Prospect
In Conclusion
Thinking Personally about Social Change
PART III
PROCESSES OF SOCIAL CHANGE
Chapter 7
Social Movements
What are Social Movements?
Types of Social Movements
Explaining the Origins of Social Movements
In Conclusion
Thinking Personally about Social Change
Chapter 8
American Reform Movements and Social Change
The Social Context of Twentieth-Century American Reform Movements
Social Class and Reform Movements at the Turn of the Twentieth Century
Social Status and Reform Movements in the Mid-Twentieth Century
In Conclusion: What Kinds of Changes Do Reform Movements Produce?
Thinking Personally about Social Change
Chapter 9
Revolutions
What is a Social Revolution?
Theories of Revolution
The Outcomes of Revolution
Successful and Failed Revolutions in the Contemporary Context
A World Revolution: The Collapse of the Communist System
But Was it a Revolution?
In Conclusion: The Inevitability of Revolutionary Surprise
Thinking Personally about Social Change
Chapter 10
Technology, Innovation, and Networks
Innovation as a Change Process
The Act of Innovation
Sources of Innovation: Social and Cultural
Diffusion: How Innovations Spread
Adoption of Innovation: Social Systems and Individuals
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Institutional Change and the Spread of Innovations
Social Networks
In Conclusion: Back at the Information Technology Revolution
Thinking Personally about Social Change
PART IV
GLOBAL CHANGE
Chapter 11
The Emerging Global System: Development and Globalization
Two Worlds
What is Development?
Uneven Development
Developmentalist Thinking: Perspectives and Dimensions
Explaining Failed Development
Dependency and World Systems Theories
Structure and Dynamics of the World System
Globalization
In Conclusion: Development, Globalization, and Human Progress
Thinking Personally about Social Change
Chapter 12
Society, Environment, and Change
Ecological Perspectives on Change and Problems
Aspects of Ecological Change and Problems
Human Impacts and Global Environmental Change
The Most Recent Debate on Global Sustainability
In Conclusion: Societies, Environment, and Global Stability
Thinking Personally about Social Change
Chapter 13
World Futures
New World Order or New World Chaos?
Looking at the Next 50 Years
Prophetic Visions: Some Longer Views
In Conclusion: The Third Revolution and Power from Below
Thinking Personally about Social Change
Epilogue: Living in a Rapidly Changing World
References
Subject Index
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