http://www.betterworldbooks.com/product-id-0826491693.aspx?afid=37Manuel DeLanda is a distinguished writer, artist and philosopher. In his new book, he offers a fascinating look at how the contemporary world is characterized by an extraordinary social complexity. Since most social entitles, from small communities to large nation-states, would disappear altogether if human minds ceased to exist, Delanda proposes a novel approach to social ontology that asserts the autonomy of social entities from the conceptions we have of them. This highly original and important book takes the reader on a journey that starts with personal relations and climbs up one scale at a time all the way to territorial states and beyond. Only by experiencing this upward movement can we get a sense of the irreducible social complexity that characterizes the contemporary world.http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31C8FBMFTJL._SL75_.jpghttp://www.betterworldbooks.com/product-id-0826491693.aspx?afid=37en-usdnewman@betterworldbooks.comhttp://www.betterworldbooks.com/product-id-0826491693.aspx?afid=37BRAND NEW. Over 1.5 million happy customers. 100% money-back guarantee. Make your purchase count: support Better World Books' worldwide literacy partners.GeneralNov 21 2009 2:26PMhttp://www.betterworldbooks.com/product-id-0826491693.aspx?afid=37