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The spectacle of major cultural and sporting events can preoccupy modern societies. This book is concerned with contemporary mega-events, like the Olympics and Expos. Using a sociological perspective Roche argues that mega-events reflect the major social changes which now influence our societies, particularly in the West, and that these amount to a new 'second phase' of the modernization process. Changes are particularly visible in the media, urban and global locational aspects of mega-events. Thus he suggests that contemporary mega-events, both in their achievements and their vulnerabilities, reflect, in the media sphere, the rise of the internet; in the urban sphere, de-industrialisation and the growing ecological crisis; and in the global sphere, the relative decline of the West and the rise of China and other 'emerging' countries

Develops themes of a new sociology of citizenship, exploring the contested & changing nature of social citizenship in modernity. The dominant postwar, rights-based, & welfare state-oriented paradigm is outlined, as well as the challenge posed by postmodern Western structural change since the mid-1970s. A range of political responses are reviewed, & the continuing legitimacy of national functionalism is questioned. In this context, the neoconservative movement's challenge to the dominant model is considered; also, redefined social issues, ideological fights, & social obligations are identified. It is concluded that the resulting new rights claimed are themselves a social entity or product, linked to the development of collective action & the forms of consciousness engendered. Practical implications for progressive entities are discussed. 91 References. C. Mariani