Critical Theories of Globalization An Introduction

by El-Ojeili, Chamsy; Hayden, Patrick

• ISBN13: 9781403986399
• ISBN10: 1403986398
• eBook ISBN(s): 9780230626454
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-12-26
• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
• More Book Details
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Summary

This highly accessible text provides a comprehensive overview of globalization and its consequences. Exploring the insights of a wide range of critical theorists, this book argues that debates about globalization cannot be divorced from struggles for emancipation or from the contradictory realities of contemporary society. Clearly organized around thematic chapters designed to provoke student inquiry, the book demonstrates how the views of critical theorists are crucial to understanding the global processes shaping the world today.

Author Biography

Chamsy el-Ojeili is Lecturer in Sociology at the Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand Patrick Hayden is Senior Lecturer in the School of International Relations at the University of St Andrews, UK

Table of Contents

List of Boxes	vii
Acknowledgments	viii
Introduction	1	(4)
1 Theorizing Globalization: Introducing the Challenge	5	(44)
Introduction	5	(1)
Critical theory	5	(7)
Defining globalization	12	(2)
Perspectives on globalization	14	(2)
Globalization in history	16	(12)
Theories of social change	28	(11)
'Development' and 'modernity'	39	(8)
Conclusion	47	(2)
2 Economic Globalization	49	(40)
Introduction	49	(1)
Capitalism, social democracy, and neoliberalism	49	(6)
Neoliberalism and the IMF, World Bank, and WTO	55	(4)
Global finance	59	(2)
New technology	61	(1)
Trade and multinational corporations	62	(9)
Environmental commodification	71	(4)
Global stratification	75	(5)
Work	80	(3)
Tourism, global cities, and slums	83	(4)
Conclusion	87	(2)
3 Globalization and Politics	89	(45)
Introduction	89	(1)
The nation-state	89	(6)
The decline of state power?	95	(12)
Challenges to the state	107	(18)
A changing political culture?	125	(7)
Conclusion	132	(2)
4 Cultural Globalization	134	(44)
Introduction	134	(1)
Cultural production and the cultural industries	135	(4)
Globalization as cultural imperialism	139	(10)
Identity and globalization	149	(4)
'Defensive identities' and the 'clash of civilizations'	153	(23)
Conclusion	176	(2)
5 Resisting Globalization: The Alternative Globalization Movement	178	(36)
Introduction	178	(1)
Social movements	178	(3)
The emergence and eclipse of the socialist movement	181	(5)
The emergence of the alternative globalization movement	186	(12)
Alternative globalization as postmodern socialism?	198	(12)
Concluding comments and reflections on utopia: 'another world is possible'	210	(4)
Bibliography	214	(20)
Index	234