1300 187 187
In "Fragmenting Societies," David Thorns questions whether present changes in capitalist societies are forces of fragmentation. Through a comparative historical analysis of Australia, New Zealand and Britain, he examines the restructuring of the workforce, the shift towards more flexible work practices, the rise in unemployment, the growth of individualism, the diversification of regions and localities, and the creation of new social formations. Thorns challenges both the more economistic versions of the New International Division of Labour thesis and the ethnocentrism of much contemporary debate on regional change. He argues for an approach based on the distinct experiences of localities, regions and nation states. Detailed empirical data covering such topics as economic trends, employment patterns, regional diversity, state sector restructuration, consumption, home ownership, and local resistances and responses to change is provided for Australia, Britain, and New Zealand.
| Preface | p. x |
| Acknowledgements | p. xii |
| Introduction | p. 1 |
| The New International Division of Labour | p. 19 |
| Economic and Employment Changes | p. 58 |
| The Nation State | p. 101 |
| Regions and Bargaining Power | p. 137 |
| Restructuring of State Provisions | p. 181 |
| Home Ownership and Consumption Sectors | p. 209 |
| Locality as a Social Base | p. 247 |
| Reassessment of Debate and Prospects for the Future | p. 274 |
| Notes | p. 289 |
| Bibliography | p. 293 |
| Name Index | p. 311 |
| Subject Index | p. 315 |
| Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved. |
ISBN: 9780415041355
ISBN-10: 041504135X
Series: International Library of Sociology
Audience:
Professional
Format:
Hardcover
Language:
English
Number Of Pages: 332
Published: 21st July 1992
Dimensions (cm): 21.6 x 13.8
x 2.2
Weight (kg): 0.46
9am - 4pm AEST, Monday - Friday
