At a time when families break up and employment is often short-term, society is increasingly forced to operate against a background of insecurity. Insecure Times looks at how this sense of risk and instability has affected the major institutions of social life.

With examples and research taken from a range of European and North American societies today, this innovative text on contemporary society discusses such major issues as:

* the causes of social and economic insecurity

* insecurity and modern capitalism

* the role of the state

* insecurity and housing

* contemporary family life.