De-industrialization processes have accompanied industrialization from the start, both regionally and globally. Most historical studies of de-industrialization focus on economic issues, including structural causes and forms of unemployment. Much less attention is usually paid to the social and cultural aspects. What are the consequences of de-industrialization for working-class families and their communities? How does de-industrialization affect working-class culture, trade unions, traditional labour parties, and the regional social, educational and cultural infrastructure? Are gender relations changed by de-industrialization? These subjects are explored by the contributors to this volume. Their essays deal with effects of de-industrialization processes in different contexts. In doing so they propose a wide scope for the study of industrial devolution.