Globalisation, Leisure and Social Change Essays in Honour of Professor Ishwar P. Modi

In the globalisation process, cultures are influenced by one another and become more alike through trade, immigration, and exchange of information and ideas. However, in recent times, the degree and intensity of the connections among different cultures and different world regions have accelerated dramatically owing to advances in science and technology. Globalisation has truly become an agent of social change. Post industrial revolution, the new world of entertainment, and leisure activities have become important subjects of research in sociology. This festschrift in honour of Dr. Ishwar P. Modi, an eminent sociologist and the past President of the Indian Sociological Society, brings together articles on various aspects of leisure in different societies. Both Indian and foreign scholars have contributed papers to this volume, which will impress readers with the richness of data on leisure and a variety of novel approaches to its topic in cross-cultural contexts. Three ideas, however, are prominently noticeable in this book. First, the distinction of 'work' and 'leisure' is of Western origin. The intellectual imposition to understand non-Western systems is fraught with risk, as concepts of 'work' and 'leisure' vary from one situation to another. Second, since great variation exists with respect to the activities of leisure, it is important that they should be documented as much as possible. And finally, globalization has contributed a great deal in deepening the distinction between 'work' and 'leisure,' and defining the contours of leisure activities. Providing a number of empirical and historical studies of leisure from different cultures, this volume will be of immense value to the students of social sciences and humanities. [Subject: Globalization, Sociology, South Asian Studies, Leisure Studies]