This accessible, original book is an exploration of the relevance of classical social theory in the contemporary world. It examines the work of Marx, Weber and Durkheim through the lens of new theoretical issues, such as the role of Empire, the problem of cultural differences, and the possibilities of democracy that are implicit in each theorist's perspective.

Kenneth H. Tucker, Jr. is an Associate Professor of Sociology at Mount Holyoke College. He is the author of French Revolutionary Syndicalism and the Public Sphere (1996) and Anthony Giddens and Modern Social Theory (1998).