Comparative Charting of Social Change

Barry Ferguson · Lance W. Roberts · Simon Langlois · Theodore Caplow

Latest release: February 1, 2013

Series

12

Books

Recent Social Trends in Quebec, 1960-1990

Book 1·Feb 1992

Readers will follow an intense period of social change in Quebec, during which there was a remarkable increase in the level of modernization. They will note a massive entry of women into the labour force and a growing service sector that now constitutes seventy percent of all economic activity. They will observe also that the Québécois have dramatically increased their television viewing and that, while they express a generally high level of satisfaction with life, the Québécois must contend with escalating crime and suicide rates.

Recent Social Trends in West Germany, 1960-1990

Book 2·Aug 1992

The thirty-year period examined was characterized in West Germany by a number of inconsistent trends. While income and consumption levels increased as part of a "silent revolution," poverty also increased, especially during the 1980s. People's lifestyles changed, with less time spent on formal employment and more on household production and recreation. Individualization and pluralization began to dissolve the class structure, and social movements such as feminism and environmentalism gained some influence. Although hostility toward foreigners did not disappear, de facto immigrants were increasingly integrated into society. Satisfaction with life reached a generally high and stable level, although some people expressed an unanticipated degree of boredom. The legitimacy of the political system was not affected by conflicts about income distribution and changing values, and cooperation grew among government, business, and traditional and emerging intermediate groups. Special chapters have been authored by Johann Behrens, Mathias Bös, Bernhard Engel, Renate Hornung-Draus, Heiner Meulemann, Claudia Koch-Arzberger, Jürgen Kohl, Jakob Schissler, Jürgen Schumacher, and Karin Seibel.

Recent Social Trends in France, 1960-1990

Book 4·Apr 1993

A prominent feature of the social revolution in France has been the decline of the great national institutions -- the Republic, the Army, the church, and the schools -- which are losing their symbolic value and are no longer the targets of ideological disputes. As a result, there is a growing basic consensus among the French people. At the same time, the French have developed a new interest in managing local problems -- due to the decentralization law -- which has led to the establishment of many voluntary associations. Changes in family life following the "revolution" of 1968 have led to greater instability among couples, but at the same time have strengthened the kinship system resulting in increased life expectancy. The customs of the French have also changed. The French education system, originally based on authority and regulations, is now making increasing use of experimentation and negotiation. As a result, the attitude of the French towards authority has totally changed and the French have learned to negotiate and cooperate among themselves. All these changes can be interpreted as progressive moves toward liberty, equality, and individualism. There is little danger of social instability, since French society remains in remarkably robust health.

Convergence or Divergence?: Comparing Recent Social Trends in Industrial Societies

Book 5·Nov 1994

Trends in fertility decline, intergenerational relations, religion and secularization, ecological movements, employment and labour-market changes, personal authority, and social conflict are examined. This analysis shows an unmistakable convergence of social trends except in the domain of religion. But when the interconnection of these trends within each national society is examined, unexpected divergences are revealed. There are parallel trends in demography, organization of production, national institutions, social practices, and life style, and divergent trends in social inequality, social movements, and local institutions. Barriers between social classes have eroded and something that might be called multidimensional stratification has emerged, the diminution of violence in social conflicts implies an increasing volume of negotiation, and all forms of personal authority have been weakened. The transformation of the family structure is no doubt one of the most important changes in western civilization. The cross-national analyses of recent social trends help us to assess both convergence and divergence and to identify emergent singularities. Does convergence of trends mean these societies face a common destiny? With respect to trends so strong that they act as exogenous variables, the answer is yes. However, with respect to the responses those trends elicit in the context of a particular society, the answer is no. Massive convergence of trends does not mean that societies face a uniform future.

Recent Social Trends in Russia 1960-1995

Book 6·Jul 1997

The newest volume in the Comparative Charting of Social Change Series, which documents patterns of social change in modernized societies, Recent Social Trends in Russia is a collection of statistical and sociological data on trends in Russian society that have never before been assembled in a comprehensive and systematic manner. It presents an extensive analysis of the major social transformations that took place in Russia both before and after the fall of the Communist system and dispels many illusions about Russian society in the twentieth century. Recent Social Trends in Russia reveals remarkable similarities between emerging trends in Russia and in Western countries during the last thirty-five years. Russian society shows a strong tendency toward modernization, although the speed of change is sometimes slower than in Western industrialized countries. Similar to Western societies, Russia's population is aging, unemployment prevails among the young, and a new class of young professionals is emerging. The institution of marriage is losing its significance, emotional disorders and consumption of mood-altering substances are increasing, and religious beliefs and habits are becoming more diversified. Political upheavals over the last ten or twelve years and the collapse of Communism have not had much effect on the social landscape in Russia. There has, however, been an increase in the influence of Western culture and a violent backlash in fields that underwent forceful modernization. The findings suggest that Russian and Western societies are more similar than one would imagine and contradict the popular conception that Communist Russia fell out of world history for seventy years.

Recent Social Trends in Italy, 1960-1995

Book 7·Mar 1999

Italy remains an enigma for many observers. Recent Social Trends in Italy, 1960-1995, the sixth volume from the international Comparative Charting of Social Change program, provides a new and convincing schema for its comprehension. It shows that three essential institutions have structured and unified Italian society: the family, the church, and political parties. While the state remains a weak institution, it is important as a regulator of the economy and of society through the welfare state. The book, which contains a long introduction by Alberto Martinelli on the uneven modernization of Italy, shows the usefulness of analysing social change through study of a series of macro-social trends. These trends range from life-style structures to fertility, leisure, consumption, inequality, religion, and family, among others. This sixth national profile provides more arguements in favour of a hypothesis of diversification, rather than convergence, of modern societies. As Henri Mendras writes in the preface of the book, "The more we change, the more we remain ourselves: that is the conclusion of our comparative research, and the Italian study provides further ample proof of it."

Recent Social Trends in Bulgaria, 1960-1995

Book 8·Jan 2001

The introduction, by Nikolai Genov, looks at the challenges posed by two transformations: the experiment with communism, which ended in failure, and the current transition to a market economy and pluralist politics. Genov concludes that the major reason for Bulgaria's critical situation is the powerlessness of its state institutions. Considering life-style, fertility, leisure and consumption, inequality, religion, economic institutions, ethnicity, norms of conduct, and family, as well as other trends, Recent Social Trends in Bulgaria, 1960B1995 is the first comprehensive presentation of the major transformations that characterize Bulgaria at the turn of the century. The contributors not only consider a broad range of social phenomena but provide an in-depth analysis of social change. This national profile provides more data supporting the hypothesis of diversification, rather than convergence, in modern societies, a hypothesis proposed by the Comparative Charting of Social Change group after documenting social change in many countries.

Leviathan Transformed: Seven National States in the New Century

Book 9·Jan 2002

The authors, using these goals as a checklist, found that each of the seven states performs well in some areas and badly in others. They discovered that all states approached these goals in a style shaped by their own history and, in particular, by how they have been affected by the troubles of the twentieth century. Their investigations offer a new, informative way of looking at these nation states and detail the social and political conditions in each state. Contributors include Theodore Caplow, Salustiano Del Campo (Royal Academy of Political and Social Science, Madrid), Nikolai Genov (Bulgaria Academy of Sciences), Karl-Otto Hondrich (Goethe University), Simon Langlois (Université de Laval), Alberto Martinelli (University of Milan), and Henri Mendras (OFCE, Paris).

Changing Structures of Inequality: A Comparative Perspective

Book 10·May 2002

Changing Structures of Inequality examines these questions in a new comparative perspective, covering five national societies - Canada, France, Germany, Spain, and the United States. The authors offer a deed analysis of country-specific research traditions in the fields of class analysis and social stratification, revealing important conceptual differences which have consequences for the diagnoses. They present the results of substantial compa-rative studies on different aspects of inequality in developed societies - the inequality of income and wealth; educational inequalities; status crystallization; migration and inequality; gender inequality and the structuring effect of social class - highlighting similarities as well as substantial differences between the societies under examination. The authors offer a nuanced con-clusion that puts in perspective the different topics of this contemporary debate. Developed societies are now characterized by more dynamic and pluralistic structures of inequalities, where classes have lost some of their previous importance, but to some extent still have a place. Contributors include Howard M. Bahr, Mathias Bös, Gary Caldwell, Salustiano del Campo, Theodore Caplow, Louis Chauvel, Michel Forse, Wolfgang Glatzer, Richard Huaser, Paul W. Kingston, Denise Lemieux, Laura Maratou-Alipranti, and Marion Mohle.

Recent Social Trends in Greece, 1960-2000

Book 11·Feb 2004

The newest volume in the Comparative Charting of Social Change series highlights the main elements of demographic, social, political, and economic development in Greece during the period 1960-2000. Based on a systematic analysis of available information and data, this volume provides an overview of Greece's socio-economic profile, which changed significantly during the studied period. The collapse of the dictatorship in 1974 and Greece's entry into the European Union (EU) in 1980 have led to a consolidation of democratic institutions and the improvement of living standards. During the 1960s and 1970s the country experienced high rates of economic development and relatively low unemployment rates. However, this increase in economic development has slowed since the early 1980s and the unemployment rate has risen, particularly among young people. Consistent with recent social trends in other Western societies, Greek society has become more tolerant and permissive, with more diverse and flexible moral norms. However, the prevailing family model remains traditional and the Greek Orthodox Church continues to have a strong influence on many aspects of Greek society, including social, political, and cultural life. The organization of work also follows traditional patterns, despite the introduction of new and flexible forms of employment. Female participation in the labour market remains relatively low, despite legislation and regulations that promote equality of opportunities between the sexes. Consistent with recent social trends in other Western societies, Greece's population is aging and the birth rate has stabilized at a relatively low level. Contributors include Ioannis Antonopoulos, Dimitri Economou (University of Thessalia), Evi Fagadaki, Thomas Maloutas (University of Thessalia), Alberto Martinelli, Ioannis Myrizakis, Theodore Papadogonas, Apostolos g. Papadopoulos (University of Ioannina), Roy Panagiotopoulou, Apostolis Rafailidis (economist), Paris Tsartas (University of Aegean), Kostas Yannakopoulos. Elisabeth Allison, Dionisis Balourdos, Nikos Bouzas, Kaliroi Daskalaki, Amalia Frangiskou, Emmy Fronimou, Panayiotis Kafetzis, Roxanne Kaftantzoglou, John Kallas, Chrysa Kappi, Maria Ketsetzopoulou, Helene Kovani, Evdokia Manologlou, Joannis Micheloyiannakis, Aliki Mouriki, Panagiota Papadopoulou, Ioanna Papathanassiou, Christos Papatheodorou, Marina Petronoti, Nikos Sarris, Theoni Stathopoulou, Hara Stratoudaki, Haris Symeonidou, Maria Thanopoulou, Olga Tsakirides, Joanna Tsiganou, Christina Varouxi, Efi Venizelou, and Ersi Zacopoulou are all researchers at the National Centre for Social Research (EKKE).

Recent Social Trends in Canada, 1960-2000

Book 12·Aug 2005

The introduction summarizes and locates the major waves of change. The authors then document each trend in relation to eighteen thematic groups that include age, community, women, labour, management, stratification, social relations, the state, mobilizing institutions, social forces, ideologies, households, lifestyle, leisure, education, integration, and attitudes and values.

Multicultural Variations: Social Incorporation in Europe and North America

Book 13·Feb 2013

Contrary to mid-twentieth century predictions, ethnic pluralism has increased dramatically in North America and significantly in Europe. Neither the post 9/11 emphasis on international border security nor anti-immigration and anti-multiculturalism movements have affected the fifty year trend of increasing labour mobility and sustained levels of migration. The ethnic pluralism accompanying this powerful trend has fueled academic research and public debate. Contributors report on and develop a conceptualization of ethnic social incorporation and multiculturalism in Canada, the United States, Germany, Greece, Bulgaria and Italy. This group of countries displays a remarkable variety of both ethnic diversity and public policy responses to ethnic social incorporation over the past four decades. It includes two countries (Canada and the United States) built upon very large-scale immigration over the course of more than a century, two countries (Greece and Italy) which until recently were characterized by large-scale emigration but now are grappling with immigration, one country (Bulgaria) that was until the 1990s insulated from extensive migration and faces a demographic slump, and one (Germany) that has experimented with isolating temporary populations but is now addressing the responsibilities of permanent immigration. Multicultural Variations includes national reports describing each of the six countries under investigation and is book-ended by introductory and concluding chapters that present a new understanding of and synthesis on multiculturalism that is distinct from either enthusiastic support or ideological critiques. Contributors include Mathias Bös (Philipps-Universität Marburg; Germany), Antonio Chiesi, (Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy), Jason Edgerton (University of Manitoba, Canada), Barry Ferguson (University of Manitoba, Canada), Nikolai Genov (Freie Universität Berlin, Germany), Louis Hicks (St Mary's College of Maryland, USA), Paul Kingston (University of Virginia, USA), Laura Maratou-Alipranti (National Centre for Social Research, Athens, Greece), Lance W. Roberts (University of Manitoba, Canada), Sonia Stefanizzi (Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, Italy), and Susanne von Below (Johann Wolfgang Goethe- Universität Frankfurt, Germany),