<p>Social Darwinism is the extension of Darwin's evolutionary ideas to human society. Over the past two centuries it has been argued that the fittest in terms of physical and mental prowess are most likely to survive and reproduce. It has also been suggested that the increasingly complex structure of human society mirrors the increasing complexity of nature. This highly original text examines whether these extensions from nature to society are justified, and considers how dangerous they may be in implying the systematic neglect - or even destruction - of the least fit. It asks what, in any case, is fitness as applied to human beings? It also questions whether human nature is constrained by modern society and whether people evolved as essentially competitive or collaborative. Written in a clear and accessible style, with text boxes to explain key ideas and little or no biological knowledge required of the reader, this book suggests a new way in which evolutionary thought and social theory can be combined</p>

Social Darwinism (Concepts in the Social Sciences (Paperback))

Health, Fitness & Dieting

Dickens, Peter

Psychology & Counseling

Open University Press

(Open University Press)  Univ. of Cambridge, UK. Examines key ideas and suggests a new way in which evolutionary thought and social theory can be combined. Argues the difficulties and prejudices associated with the field can be avoided by combining historical materialism with aspects of contemporary biology. Hardcover, softcover also available.

Social Darwinism: Linking Evolutionary Thought to Social Theory (Concepts in the Social Sciences)

Politics & Social Sciences

Social Sciences

Open Univ Pr

One of the main features of the contemporary environmental crisis is that no one has a clear idea of what is going on. The author uses an extension of Marx's theory of alienation to explain why people find it so difficult to relate their different knowledges of the natural and social world. He argues that nevertheless it is possible to relate these to the abstractions of ecological discourse. Emancipation can come only through embracing science and rationality rather than rejecting them and, in the process, humanity as well as the non-human world will benefit.

Reconstructing Nature: Alienation, Emancipation and the Division of Labour (International Library of Sociology)

Routledge

In the light of the confusion surrounding the environmental crisis, Peter Dickens explores how the natural world relates to the social. The book aims to find ways of reorganising knowledge in the light of ecological consciousness.

This assured and powerful study explores the condition of the middle classes in Britain today. The authors outline a new theoretical perspective for exploring the middle classes and provide the reader with up-to-date empirical information on the class structure.

Property Bureaucracy & Culture: Middle Class Formation in Contemporary Britain (International Library of Sociology)

History

Savage, Mike

Barlow, James

Fielding, Tony

Dickens, Dr Peter

Europe

Cosmic Society

An original vision and a pedagogical text on a major issue of our time and, even more, of our childen´s. Göran Therborn is University Professor of Sociology at Uppsala University, Sweden, and Professor and Chair of Sociology at the University of Cambridge, UK.  Arguably the most important and certainly the most ambitious book of recent sociology. Bryan Turner, Editor of the Cambridge Dictionary of Sociology.  Space weaponry, satellite surveillance and communications, and private space travel are all means in which outer space is being humanized: incorporated into society’s projects. But what are the political implications of society not only being globalized, but becoming ‘cosmic’?   Our ideas about society have long affected, and been affected by, our understanding of the universe: large sections of our economy and society are now organized around humanity’s use of outer space. Our view of the universe, our increasingly ‘cosmic’ society, and even human consciousness are being transformed by new relations with the cosmos.   As the first sociological book to tackle humanity’s relationship with the universe, this fascinating volume links social theory to classical and contemporary science, and proposes a new ‘cosmic’ social theory. Written in a punchy, student-friendly style, this timely book engages with a range of topical issues, including cyberspace, terrorism, tourism, surveillance and globalization.

Ormrod, James

Sociology

Housing, States, and Localities

Goodwin, Mark

Duncan, Simon

Gray, Fred

Routledge& Kegan Paul

SAS: Secret War In South-East Asia (MM to TR Promotion)

Asia

Ballantine Books

<p>“When I poked my head out of the window, his head was out further along the carriage. He smiled at me and twiddled a revolver around his finger.” Relatively little has been written about the role of the torpedo boat, and yet these small boats were at the heart of some of the most dangerous actions of the War. Travelling at high speed and amid storms and gunfire, and usually under the cover of darkness, they sought out enemy convoys and escorts and wrought havoc among the German supply lines. 'Night Action' is Peter Dickens’ account of his experiences as the young commander of the 21st MTB Flotilla during 1942-43, lively and thrilling.</p>

Night Action

Military

Bantam]

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