要把握人与社会、人生与历史、自我与世界之间的相互作用，必须有特定的心智品质，而他们并不具备这样的品质。他们没有能力以特别的方式应对自己的私人困扰，以控制通常隐伏其后的那些结构转型。 他们所需要的，以及他们感到他们所需要的，是一种特定的心智品质，能够有助于他们运用信息，发展理性，以求清晰地概括出周边世界正在发生什么，他们自己又会遭遇到什么。我的主张是，从记者到学者，从艺术家到公众，从科学家到编辑，都越来越期待具备这种心智品质，不妨称之为社会学的想象力。

Now in its eighth edition, this continues to be the indispensable guide to understanding the world we make and the lives we lead. Revised and updated throughout, it remains unrivalled in its vibrant, engaging and authoritative introduction to sociology. The authors provide a commanding overview of recent global developments and new ideas in sociology. Classic debates are also given careful coverage, with even the most complex ideas explained in an engaging way. Written in a fluent, easy–to–follow style, the book manages to be intellectually rigorous but still very accessible. With a strong focus on interactive pedagogy, it aims to engage and excite readers, helping them to see the enduring value of thinking sociologically. The eighth edition includes: a solid foundation in the basics of sociology: its purpose, methodology and theories; up–to–the–minute overviews of key topics in social life, from gender, personal life and poverty, to globalization, the media and politics; stimulating examples of what sociology has to say about key issues in our contemporary world, such as growing inequality, climate change and the rise of terrorism; a strong focus on global sociology and the ways that digital technologies are radically transforming our world; quality pedagogical features, such as ‘Classic Studies’ and ‘Global Society’ boxes, and ‘Thinking Critically’ reflection points, as well as end–of–chapter activities inviting readers to engage with popular culture and original research articles to gather sociological insights. The eighth edition sets the standard for introductory sociology. Complete with extensive supporting resources at www.politybooks.com/giddens , it is the ideal teaching text for first–year university and college courses, and will help to inspire a new generation of sociologists.

A robust trade in human lives thrived throughout North China during the late Qing and Republican periods. Whether to acquire servants, slaves, concubines, or children—or dispose of unwanted household members—families at all levels of society addressed various domestic needs by participating in this market. Sold People brings into focus the complicit dynamic of human trafficking, including the social and legal networks that sustained it. Johanna Ransmeier reveals the extent to which the structure of the Chinese family not only influenced but encouraged the buying and selling of men, women, and children.

For centuries, human trafficking had an ambiguous status in Chinese society. Prohibited in principle during the Qing period, it was nevertheless widely accepted as part of family life, despite the frequent involvement of criminals. In 1910, Qing reformers, hoping to usher China into the community of modern nations, officially abolished the trade. But police and other judicial officials found the new law extremely difficult to enforce. Industrialization, urbanization, and the development of modern transportation systems created a breeding ground for continued commerce in people. The Republican government that came to power after the 1911 revolution similarly struggled to root out the entrenched practice.

Ransmeier draws from untapped archival sources to recreate the lived experience of human trafficking in turn-of-the-century North China. Not always a measure of last resort reserved for times of extreme hardship, the sale of people was a commonplace transaction that built and restructured families as often as it broke them apart.

如何客观、全面地反映日本社会的真实面貌？

畅销书是时代的镜子，也是现实社会需求的集体反映。

20世纪90年代初泡沫经济的崩溃给日本带来了历史巨变，日本400多年的传统群体社会开始瓦解。虽然有很多愤懑，但日本国民不得不改造自己的价值观，以适应个体社会的到来。但是，这是一个非常痛苦的过程。是怨天尤人，还是自我拯救，日本的历年畅销书透露了很多信息。

第一册（1991年至1997年）。日本社会沉醉于泡沫经济的盛宴余欢，看不清神话已然破灭的事实，群体社会的基础随之崩溃。这时期的畅销书从宫泽理惠的写真集Santa Fe到《失乐园》，表明日本社会已经在无意识中为群体社会的破灭做出了准备。

第二册（1998年至2007年）。为了适应群体社会崩溃的巨变，日本民众开始改造自己的价值观，个体社会逐步形成。这时期的畅销书从《新人间革命》到《女性的品格》，能看到日本民众从心理的变化、改革到对品格、教养的追求。

第三册（2008年至2015年）。日本社会思想出现了整体的移轴，“右翼”成为主流。经历“3•11”日本大地震后，日本变了吗？安倍再次复出，日本会走向何方？这时期的畅销书从《哈利波特与死亡圣器》到《火花》，从个性的流行到责任的推诿，让畅销书告诉你，最真实的日本。

《平均的终结：如何在崇尚标准化的世界中胜出》是哈佛大学前沿课程、TED超受欢迎的演讲。

作者托德•罗斯是哈佛大学教育学院教授，他结合个人成长的经历，并采访、搜集了大量生动真实有说服力的案例，介绍了平均标准主义是如何诞生的，又是如何深刻影响了社会的进展和人们的生活，有力地论证了这一思想带来的危害，提倡回归人的本性，弘扬个性，尊重个体。

本书是一部典型的哈佛式作品，论点清晰，论证有利，结构清楚，逻辑严密，是一部经典之作，带给人深刻的思考和启迪。

一向被视为天经地义的人伦，在20世纪中国遭遇了激烈批判；但常被忽略的是，此时西方学界也出现了对人伦的反省，创造了三个“学术神话”：母系社会、乱伦禁忌、弑父弑君，其中第一个还深深影响了现代中国思想。本书考察了这三个命题在西方古今形质论哲学传统中的根源，尝试探索在中国文质论传统中反思人伦问题的可能。

本书的写作缘于作者对近代以来社会人伦关系发生深刻变迁的的长期关注与思考，以人类学、哲学和社会理论为基本学科框架，从中西文明比较的视野，来聚焦西方形质论（形式/质料）思想传统影响下的人伦问题及其现代处境，尤其从现代人伦思考中的几个比较极端且充满论争的理论与命题，如母权社会、乱伦禁忌和弑父弑君入手，细密梳理和分析了从达尔文、巴霍芬、摩尔根、涂尔干到弗洛伊德等人的相关理论与思考，并追问了人伦问题背后的形质论哲学根源（亚里士多德），尤其是西方人性自然与文明生活之间的张力关系。作者认为，无论中国还是西方，其现代文明语境中的人伦都面临着全面解体的危险，与之伴随的便是对家国的虚无与焦虑；而中国源远流长的“文质论”传统或许为我们重建人伦与道德提供了重要的思想资源。