Globalization/Anti-Globalization - Softcover

Held, David; McGrew, Anthony

Softcover

ISBN 10: 074562989X ISBN 13: 9780745629896

Publisher: Polity, 2003

Synopsis

Is globalization being eclipsed by a resurgent geopolitics? Does the war on terror denote the end of globalization or a new phase of militarized globalization? Empire or globalization - are these the right terms to describe the current global order?

The second edition of this highly successful book tests the claims of those who dismiss the continuing significance of globalization through a comprehensive assessment of contemporary global trends. In the aftermath of 9/11, and the war in Iraq, there has been much talk of the end of globalization. Held and McGrew argue that these post-mortems for globalization are entirely premature. They show this by focusing upon the primary structures of world order namely: patterns of governance, organized violence, the economy, culture and environmental degradation. Patterns of inequality, exclusion and domination are also assessed.

Building upon this analysis, the authors present the case for continuing to take globalization seriously as both a description and explanation of our current global condition. They also ask the vital question: can globalization be tamed? Held and McGrew explore whether a more just and stable world order is either desirable or feasible and present an alternative ethical and political agenda for the twenty-first century - a global covenant of cosmopolitan social democracy.

The second edition of this powerful and original book has been comprehensively updated, with three new chapters added. The book will appeal to all those who remain intrigued, confused or simply baffled by the controversy about globalization and its consequences for the twenty-first century world order.

About this title

About the Author

David Held is Graham Wallace Professor of Political Science at the London School of Economics and Political Science; Anthony McGrew is Professor of International Relations at Southampton University.

From the Back Cover

What is globalization? Why is it the source of such intense controversy? Is it creating a more disorderly world or can globalization be tamed? In the aftermath of September 11th, these questions have acquired a new and even greater sense of urgency.

This short book provides a key to understanding one of the most important intellectual and political debates of our times. The authors interrogate the evidence about globalization and assess global trends. Issues of governance, culture, the economy, patterns of inequality and global ethics are discussed in relation to the contending claims and counterclaims of the principal positions in the globalization debate: the globalizers and anti-globalizers. Held and McGrew reflect on the central questions of political life posed by the great globalization debate, namely: who rules, in whose interests, to what ends, and by what means? They conclude by proposing a new political agenda for the twenty-first century – a global covenant of cosmopolitan social democracy.

This book is an excellent guide for all those intrigued, confused or simply baffled by globalization and its impact.

Edition details

• Publisher: Polity
• Publication date: 2003
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 074562989X
• ISBN 13: 9780745629896
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 158