Author Description

The Oxford Modern Britain series comprises authoritative introductory books on all aspects of the social structure of modern Britain. Lively and accessible, the books will be the first points of reference for anyone interested in the state of contemporary Britain. They will be invaluable to those taking courses in the social sciences. This is an expanded second edition of a well-established introduction to the role and importance of race and ethnicity in contemporary British society, relevant to students of sociology and many other disciplines. All sections of the book have been revised to include the most recently available data. A new chapter has been added on the criminal justice system in the light of the Stephen Lawrence enquiry. In addition the sections on citizenship have been revised to take account of recent developments. The first chapters set out some of the key conceptual issues in the study of race and ethnicity in modern Britain. Subsequent chapters examine the historical background to migration and ethnic diversity. Drawing attention to a key distinction between difference and diversity, the book examines the interplay of inequality, citizenship, and public policy in a number of areas central to life in modern Britain, including: employment, education, housing, health, criminal justice and political representation. The book concludes with a look to the future to assess how a range of trends, including developments in the European Union, the resurgence of racism, and developing patterns of social mobility may pose challenges for the shape and direction of British society as it enters a new millennium.