Jerome Braun, known for his writings in interdisciplinary social science, in this book provides a concrete reference for such abstract issues of social theory as democracy from a cross-cultural perspective, alienation in modern society, and the relation between social cohesiveness and political democracy. This book also includes a great deal of writing on practical issues ranging from nihilism to figurehead politicians to working-class life. In the summary section it deals with the kinds of things critical theorists like to comment on, but rarely with so much practical insight.