Global Transformations Reader

* This revised and fully updated edition brings together the most original contributions from both sides of the globalization debate. * Extensive new material incorporates the latest developments and sets the issues in the context of a global order in constant flux. The world is changing dramatically and a vigorous public debate is under way about the nature and historical significance of these changes. At the centre of this debate lie conflicting claims about the extent, form and consequences of contemporary globalization. On the one hand there are the globalists, who argue that the world is being fundamentally and irreversibly transformed by globalization. On the other hand there are the sceptics, who believe that the globalists' claims are exaggerated and poorly substantiated. The sceptics contest the very idea of globalization, arguing that the power of national governments, nationalism and geopolitics remain the determining features of our age. This completely revised and fully updated edition of The Global Transformations Reader brings together the most original contributions from both sides of the argument and from a range of disciplines. Many new chapters have been added, which incorporate the most recent developments in the debate and set these in the context of a global order that is in a constant state of flux. Organized as an accessible and comprehensive teaching text, the Reader is divided into six sections covering all the key issues in the debate: controversy over the meaning, causes and historical significance of 'globalization' the transformation of state power and civil society; changing patterns of national culture; the power of global markets; global inequality and its consequences; and the nature of the global order and normative aspirations for its future. The volume includes an extensive introduction by the editors, reviewing, analysing and assessing the globalization debate. Short but highly informative introductions to each section situate and contextualize the individual readings. This Reader will be of immense value to all those interested in one of the most important debates of our time. It will appeal to students of politics, international relations, economics, sociology, geography, business studies and cultural studies. The Global Transformations Reader is part of the internationally acclaimed series on globalization, which also includes Global Transformations: Politics, Economics and Culture and Governing Globalization: Power, Authority and Global Governance. The world is changing dramatically and a vigorous public debate is under way about the nature and historical significance of these changes. At the centre of this debate lie conflicting claims about the extent, form and consequences of contemporary globalization. On the one hand there are the globalists, who argue that the world is being fundamentally and irreversibly transformed by globalization. On the other hand there are the sceptics, who believe that the globalists' claims are exaggerated and poorly substantiated. The sceptics contest the very idea of globalization, arguing that the power of national governments, nationalism and geopolitics remain the determining features of our age. This completely revised and fully updated edition of The Global Transformations Reader brings together the most original contributions from both sides of the argument and from a range of disciplines. Many new chapters have been added, which incorporate the most recent developments in the debate and set these in the context of a global order that is in a constant state of flux. Organized as an accessible and comprehensive teaching text, the Reader is divided into six sections covering all the key issues in the debate: controversy over the meaning, causes and historical significance of 'globalization' the transformation of state power and civil society; changing patterns of national culture; the power of global markets; global inequality and its consequences; and the nature of the global order and normative aspirations for its future. The volume includes an extensive introduction by the editors, reviewing, analysing and assessing the globalization debate. Short but highly informative introductions to each section situate and contextualize the individual readings. This Reader will be of immense value to all those interested in one of the most important debates of our time. It will appeal to students of politics, international relations, economics, sociology, geography, business studies and cultural studies. The Global Transformations Reader is part of the internationally acclaimed series on globalization, which also includes Global Transformations: Politics, Economics and Culture and Governing Globalization: Power, Authority and Global Governance.

The world appears to be changing dramatically and a very public debate is taking place about the form, extent and significance of these changes. At the centre of this debate lie conflicting claims about the forces and processes of contemporary globalization.On the one hand, there are the 'globalists', who argue that the world is being fundamentally and irreversibly transformed by globalization. The fate of national communities is, they hold, increasingly shaped by regional and global forces. On the other hand, there are the 'sceptics', who think that the globalists' claims are exaggerated and poorly substantiated. The sceptics contend that the world has not been irreversibly altered by globalization, and that the power of national governments, nationalism and geo-politics remain the determining features of our age. The Global Transformations Reader brings together the most original contributions from both sides of the argument and from a range of disciplines.Organized as an accessible and comprehensive teaching text, the Reader is divided into sections which cover all the key issues:The conceptual problems involved in the attempt to characterize globalization. The transformation of state power.Changing patterns of national culture.The development of the world economy.Global inequality and environmental challenges.The normative debate about the nature and desirable future of the global order.The whole volume is prefaced by a major new statement by the editors summarizing and analysing the globalization debate. Short part introductions also help situate and contextualize the articles. This volume will be of immense value to all those interested in one of the great debates of our time. It will appeal to students of politics, international relations, economics, sociology, geography and cultural studies courses. Please visit the accompanying website at: http: //www .polity.co.uk/global