The twentieth century has seen extraordinary advances in the social sciences. They have taken place at the level of theoretical constructs, but also at the levels of methodology and of data generation and management. The social sciences can now be regarded as comprising a fabric of concepts and testable theories, rapidly expanding pools of records and information, well-established rules of procedure, and world-wide networks of supporting institutions.

With the turn of the century, the time is ripe to take stock of the social sciences as they are, and to look forward to their continuing development in the coming decades. This, essentially, is the goal of UNESCO's World Social Science Report. The first issue appeared in June 1999 and was presented at the World Conference on Science that same month. Subsequent issues will appear every two years.

The World Social Science Report benefits from the experience of reports already created by UNESCO in other areas, in particular, the World Education Report and the World Science Report. It is in part descriptive, giving facts and figures on the production and transmission of the social sciences throughout the world; in part problem-oriented, examining their application to social problems of the world today; and in part; and in part reflective, with essays discussing general perspectives and regional concerns.

The World Social Science Report was prepared under the leadership of Co-Editors Ali Kazancigil and David Makinson in the Sector of Social and Human Sciences of UNESCO. A Scientific Advisory Board, made up of eminent social scientists from all over the world, helped plan the structure of the Report and select authors. UNESCO�s field offices in different parts of the world provided valuable input material for regional overviews. The International Social Science Council (ISSC), and the Social Science Research Council (SSRC), also provided essential materials.