This work develops fresh theoretical concepts to explore ageing as a social process. The contributions link the theoretical concepts to issues of research design and analysis, and provide insights into how we can understand fundamental social processes such as human development and socialization.

Questioning the boundaries between self and society, change and stability, the author includes classic treatments on generations by Karl Mannheim and Norman Ryder and presents a new theoretical contribution that explores the meaning of `aging' as a social process. Each of the six new essays develops a central theoretical concept, linking that concept to issues of research design and analysis. By re-examining the assumptions that underlie our approaches to the study of change, this volume provides key insights into how we can understand fundamental social processes such as: human development and socialization; the formation of public opinion and political identity; and the shaping of collective action and group behaviour.