ABSTRACT
This is a book about big issues – that is, big issues in the sense of what matters in the contemporary world. These are often causes of concern because things are changing in society. What counts as the big issues changes over time and in the relatively short period of time that has passed since the second edition of Social Sciences: The Big Issues was written in 2009 there have been some significant changes in what matters, as well, of course, as considerable continuity. In 2009, the economic crisis had only just begun and there was not yet talk of double dip or triple dip recessions. In mid 2013, the recession in the UK is deemed to be officially over but most western economies are still experiencing the full impact of the economic crisis that broke in 2008. Banking has been restructured and there are huge changes taking place, and proposed, in the provision of health and welfare as well as in housing and education. The costs of welfare, pensions and health are all tied up with the economic recessions of recent years.
