Most studies of 20th-century social theory still view historical development through the lens of the Cold War. This important study challenges the prevailing ahistorical Cold War paradigm by looking at theoretical traditions formulated by Marx, Durkheim and Weber that have shaped discussions about change and development for nearly a century. The author explores how these perspectives were formed, how later ideas were incorporated, and the relevance of these theories to national and international structures of power. In providing a new window through which to analyze social change, this accessible book tackles a wide range of subjects, including: · the rise of industrial capitalist society · imperialism · regimes and territories on the edges of states · the resurgence of the idea of progress and cultural revolution in the US · decolonization and modernization theory · social revolution · rituals of rebellion · postcolonial discourse · the collapse of the socialist block and the resurgence of nationalism. This stimulating book will be of interest to anyone studying social and cultural change, development, the history of anthropological theory, or the history of social thought.