The papers in this issue were all specially commissioned to mark the turn of the century. Contributors, well-known for their work in particular specialisms, were asked to engage in informed speculation about developments in those aspects of British society which fell within their areas of expertise. They were further encouraged to reflect on what the implications of those developments might be for the discipline of sociology. The topics covered represent those where the editors were successful in persuading colleagues to rise to this challenging brief. They also reflect an editorial decision not to marginalise ethnicity and gender by commissioning separate papers in these areas but instead to encourage all authors to take account of these issues in their reflections. We believe the final result is a stimulating and entertaining collection. The authors have risen to the daunting task of thinking themselves forward a quarter of a century. They have also succeeded in combining careful scholarship with the more risky task of futurology. We hope that, like us, our readers will find their arguments both provocative and timely.