An integrated social science view of the world This best-selling text emphasizes that social and cultural changes are the pervasive realities of our era. One of the main themes of Contemporary Society is that the transition from an industrial to a post-industrial order in the modern world is fraught with difficulties, as was the transition from an agricultural to an industrial order in an earlier era. Within this framework, we can observe the increasing fragmentation of the social order, which tends to lead people away from community and a common purpose and often invites conflict and disunity. At the same time, countervailing social forces are also at work, providing some stability, some shelter in the storm. Finally, societies are faced with the rapid and transformative power of information technology, a fact that propels separate groups of people into a global entity.Teaching & Learning Experience * Personalize Learning - MySearchLab delivers proven results in helping students succeed, provides engaging experiences that personalize learning, and comes from a trusted partner with educational expertise and a deep commitment to helping students and instructors achieve their goals. *Improve Critical Thinking - Boxed features provide topics for classroom discussion and encourage students to think like social scientists. *Engage Students - Emphasis on social and cultural change and how they impact social order. *Explore Theory - An integrated social science view of the world. *Support Instructors - Written activities and assessment in MySearchLab offer instructors supplemental materials to help their students succeed.