The edition of this already classic reference work has been completely updated and radically revised. Originally published in 1985 to great acclaim from social scientists, librarians, and professionals, this work now takes into account changes that have occurred in the social sciences over the past 10 years. Ninety per cent of the entries are new, entirely rewritten, or substantially revised. The new entries cover developments in traditional fields over the last decade, newly vital areas of study such as environmental economics and cross-disciplinary pursuits such as women's studies and cultural studies. Theoretical movements such as post-modernism which were only beginning to be discussed in 1985 are now given prominent coverage.
"The Social Science Encyclopedia," Second Edition, has been written by a truly international team of contributors and thus presents a global understanding of the expanse of thought within the social sciences. A distinguished board of advisory editors have workedclosely with the editors in determining the most important concepts, thinkers and techniques in each field.
* lengthy entries cover each of the major disciplines within the social sciences
* extensive cross-referencing within the text as well as at the end of each entry directs the reader through the volume and provides easy access to relevant articles
* related fields are also covered in depth and the philosophy of the social sciences is addressed as are theories, methodology and areas of study
* profiles of key figures and schools of thought from Freud to Foucault and from the Chicago School of Economics to the Frankfurt School are also provided

The Social Science Encyclopedia, first published in 1985 to acclaim from social scientists, librarians and students, was thoroughly revised in 1996, when reviewers began to describe it as a classic. This third edition has been radically recast. Over half the entries are new or have been entirely rewritten, and most of the balance have been substantially revised.

Written by an international team of contributors, the Encyclopedia offers a global perspective on the key issues within the social sciences. Some 500 entries cover a variety of enduring and newly vital areas of study and research methods. Experts review theoretical debates from neo-evolutionism and rational choice theory to poststructuralism, and address the great questions that cut across the social sciences. What is the influence of genes on behaviour? What is the nature of consciousness and cognition? What are the causes of poverty and wealth? What are the roots of conflict, wars, revolutions and genocidal violence?

This authoritative reference work is aimed at anyone with a serious interest in contemporary academic thinking about the individual in society.