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We present analyses of intergenerational social class mobility based on data from representative samples of the British population from 1972 to 2005. We distinguish throughout between absolute and relative rates of mobility. As regards absolute rates, we find little or no change in total mobility rates over the period covered. In the case of men, there is also little change in rates of upward and downward mobility - in contrast with the middle decades of the twentieth century when upward mobility steadily increased while downward mobility fell. This latter pattern does, however, prevail in the case of women. As regards relative rates, we again find, for men and women alike, an essential constancy over time. This, then, indicates that such changes as are apparent in absolute rates derive from shifts in class distributions rather than from any significant increase or decrease in social fluidity. Our results are contrary to the prevailing view in political and media circles that in Britain today the level of social mobility is in decline, although for men the pattern of mobility has become less favourable. We end with some remarks on policy implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents information related to the theories of industrial societies in relation to historicism. During the last ten to fifteen years, there has in fact emerged within orthodox western social science an important new strain of thinking of a historicist, or of what might be termed 'crypto-historicist' character. Crypto-historicist thinking, means that which, on analysis, can be shown to rest upon historicist assumptions or claims, even though historicist arguments may not be openly advanced or may be actually disavowed. This recrudescence of historicism, it would seem, has been rarely recognised in its full significance, yet it is, a phenomenon that calls for serious critical attention. In social forecasting, the exercise begins with existing knowledge and proceeds to statements about the future via essentially inductive methods. In social designing, the starting point is with conjectures, and theory and data then serve as the means whereby the implications and viability of conjectures are critically examined.

It is by now almost commonplace to observe that in the course of the 1960's the relationship between Marxism and academic social science once again became a question of some moment in British intellectual life, following a lengthy period in which it had aroused little more than spasmodic discussion. It is not the aim here to examine the circumstances and events, which led to this re-engagement. The concern is, rather, with its products. A number of recent publications, reflecting the variety of newly-defined stances and interests that have emerged, provides an opportune basis for evaluating the contribution that has been made to the analysis of issues which, from any standpoint, must be seen as central to the British socio-political situation of the present day. In Great Britain in the earlier post-war period, liberal interpretations suggesting the transformation of capitalism through the disappearance of a capitalist class, the progressive reduction of social inequality and the emergence of a genuinely open society, enjoyed considerable currency and influence.