Examines trends that can reshape society and offers an understanding of the dynamics to prepare future leaders.

Kennedy's groundbreaking book The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers helped to reorder the current priorities of the United States. Now, he synthesizes extensive research on fields ranging from demography to robotics to draw a detailed, persuasive, and often sobering map of the very near future--a bold work that bridges the gap between history, prophecy, and policy.

Sixteen Trends . . . Their Profound Impact on Our Future Highlighting key factors which are destined to reshape the world, Marx is quick to identify how each of these "trends" will influence educational policy in various ways. With improving academic achievement for ALL students as the main goal, Sixteen Trends provides an enlightened look into the learning processes of the children of tomorrow. Some of the many issues discussed within its contents include: -the shift in population demographics and its role in life-long learning -the need for school curriculum and practices to reflect the dawning of the "information age" -the importance of equilibrium and acceptance of divergent viewpoints in preparing for emerging generations -how continuous improvement will replace "quick fixes" and challenge the status quo theory of education -why the globalization of politics and the economy today will mandate the need for interdependence in educational practice When asked about the importance of his book Sixteen Trends, author Gary Marx states, "Linear goals are not enough. Looking at tomorrow and seeing it only as a little bit more or a little bit less of today just won't cut it as we move into the future. Surrounded by a world filled with discontinuities, we desperately need to set at least a few audacious goals, the kind that took us to the moon and planets, reduced computers from a dozen racks of equipment to a single hand-held device, and envisioned educational opportunity for all. Much of what happens as we break ground on the future will come at us out of the blue. We are in a constant, unrelenting, and exciting race to lay the groundwork for an even brighter future for our children and ourselves." We at ERS are pleased to bring you the latest in Marx's groundbreaking series. According to ERS President Dr. John Forsyth, "Gary Marx's work provides an impetus for our educational community. The ability for ERS to share the information contained within Sixteen Trends is a positive and progressive step in ensuring that we are well-prepared in today's educational system for what the future holds."

This book examines key trends, debates, and challenges in twenty-first-century sociology. To this end, it focuses on significant issues surrounding the nature of sociology (‘What is sociology?’), the history of sociology (‘How has sociology evolved?’), and the study of sociology (‘How can or should we make sense of sociology?’). These issues have been, and will continue to be, essential to the creation of conceptually informed, methodologically rigorous, and empirically substantiated research programmes in the discipline. Over the past years, however, there have been numerous disputes and controversies concerning the future of sociology. Particularly important in this respect are recent and ongoing discussions on the possibilities of developing new – and, arguably, post-classical – forms of sociology. The central assumption underlying most of these projects is the contention that a comprehensive analysis of the principal challenges faced by global society requires the construction of a sociology capable of accounting for the interconnectedness of social actors and social structures across time and space. This book provides a cutting-edge overview of crucial past, present, and possible future trends, debates, and challenges shaping the pursuit of sociological inquiry. ‘Simon Susen – one of the most knowledgeable scholars in the contemporary social sciences – examines the key challenges with which sociology is confronted today. This book is a must-read for professional sociologists as well as for those studying the subject.’ – Luc Boltanski, École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales, Paris, France ‘Simon Susen provides a balanced update on sociology’s theoretical, methodological, and institutional resources as well as challenges in today’s complicated local and global social worlds. Fortunately, he has innovative and practical recommendations for ensuring the cutting-edge relevance of sociological thinking. This book is an excellent choice for undergraduate and postgraduate students as well as for the general reader.’ – Sandra Harding, University of California, Los Angeles, USA ‘A comprehensive and judicious account of the intellectual and material state of sociology, based on omnivorous reading and incisive analysis. The writing is beautifully clear, and the book is a major contribution to the self-understanding of the discipline.’ – William Outhwaite, Newcastle University, UK

This book focuses on current trends, potential challenges and further developments of teacher education and professional development from a theoretical, empirical and practical point of view. It intends to provide valuable and fresh insights from research studies and examples of best practices from Europe and all over the world. The authors deal with the strengths and limitations of different models, strategies, approaches and policies related to teacher education and professional development in and for changing times (digitization, multiculturalism, pressure to perform).

As the millennium approaches, so do many new business opportunities. This practical and fascinating survival guide for the future throws a spotlight on today's hidden trends and reveals how they will shape the events of tomorrow.

What are the grand dynamics that drive the accumulation and distribution of capital? Questions about the long-term evolution of inequality, the concentration of wealth, and the prospects for economic growth lie at the heart of political economy. But satisfactory answers have been hard to find for lack of adequate data and clear guiding theories. In this work the author analyzes a unique collection of data from twenty countries, ranging as far back as the eighteenth century, to uncover key economic and social patterns. His findings transform debate and set the agenda for the next generation of thought about wealth and inequality. He shows that modern economic growth and the diffusion of knowledge have allowed us to avoid inequalities on the apocalyptic scale predicted by Karl Marx. But we have not modified the deep structures of capital and inequality as much as we thought in the optimistic decades following World War II. The main driver of inequality--the tendency of returns on capital to exceed the rate of economic growth--today threatens to generate extreme inequalities that stir discontent and undermine democratic values if political action is not taken. But economic trends are not acts of God. Political action has curbed dangerous inequalities in the past, the author says, and may do so again. This original work reorients our understanding of economic history and confronts us with sobering lessons for today.