How Societies Work

Class, Power, and Change

Joanne Naiman

In 2011, protesters around the world — including Canada — called for changes to the societies in which they live. Many observers were asking: “What do they want?” Some answers to this question can be found in How Societies Work, a unique and accessible introductory sociology textbook that introduces students to the structure of contemporary societies and the power relationships within them. In contrast to most introductory textbooks, How Societies Work explores a broad range of sociological concepts and theories while simultaneously creating a coherent picture of modern societies. Drawing on fields as diverse as anthropology, genetics, economics, social psychology, history and politics, this innovative and popular text looks at both the roots of modern societies and the currentstructures within them. This approach helps undergraduate students make sense of our complex social world and encourages them to connect the social world to their own lived experiences.

 This extensively revised and updated fifth edition includes discussions of the roots of the recent global economic crisis and worldwide responses to it, growing social inequality, broader global struggles for change, the growth of the security state in Canada and the sudden resurgence of political protest in North America. The final chapter looks to the future, examining such issues as the possible consequences of climate change, increased forced migration of peoples and the changing dynamic of global power. More boxes, quotes and “think about it” elements have been added to the fifth edition, while the language, clarity of presentation and many examples make it even more accessible to readers. It is an introductory textbook that truly engages students in the “sociological imagination.”

This fifth edition is presented in a large format, making it easier to read and even more student friendly. A testbank and power point presentation are available for instructors upon request.

”While most introductory sociology textbooks cover a waterfront of theoretical approaches, this one provides a focused analysis on the historical development of the modern system of power and domination and tracks its current operation in Canadian so- ciety. My students have found this book to provide a powerful set of tools and a lens to understand the society that they live in.”

— Rod Kueneman, Sociology, University of Manitoba

 ”In my opinion, it’s the best introduction to sociology text I’ve seen, and I wouldn’t use any other.”

— Avis Mysyk, Anthropology, Cape Breton University

”The feedback from students was overwhelmingly positive. They found it easy to read, understand and follow, and actually enjoyed reading it. They also noted how thought provoking the ‘think about it’ questions were. I too am very pleased overall.”

— Wilma van der Veen, Sociology, Saint Mary’s University

Contents

Sociology and the Study of Society • Is Human Behaviour the Result of Our Biology? • Culture, Society and History • The Basis of Modern Societies • Analyzing Social Class • Living in Capitalist Societies • The Social Construction of Ideas and Knowledge • The Role of the State • Neoliberalism and Globalization • Inequality of Wealth and Income • Race and Ethnicity • Gender Issues • Looking Toward the Future • References • Index

About the Author

Joanne Naiman is Professor Emerita of Sociology at Ryerson University in Toronto. During her thirty-three years there she taught a variety of undergraduate courses — urban sociology, women’s studies, social change,and gender roles, in addition to introductory sociology. She is also the author of a number of academic articles, including “Dueling Identities and Faculty Unions: A Canadian Case Study”(with Mike Burke), in Cogs in the Classroom Factory: The Shifting Identities of Academic Labor, Deborah Herman and Julie Schmid, eds., Praeger Press (2003); and “Left Feminism and the Return to Class” Monthly Review, No. 48 (June 1996).

Throughout her career she was involved in a variety of activist organizations—from involvement in the anti-apartheid and peace movements to efforts to support and protect public education in Ontario. Since retiring from full-time teaching in 2004 she has moved to Vancouver where she continues to volunteer in numerous organizations that work to make the world a better place.