The review considers the monograph by P.V. Agapova, V.I. Dobrenkova, A.I. Kravchenko, dedicated to the essence of the social system, social processes and structures, global and local changes, the analysis of classical and modern concepts in sociology. The structure of the textbook is considered, chapters dedicated to social deformations and transformations, the problems of the global crisis in the global era, synergy and complex social systems, social systems and processes of the postmodern era are highlighted.