The Global Transformations Reader: An Introduction to the Globalization Debate

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:

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• 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

David Held is Graham Wallas Professor of Political Science at the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Anthony McGrew is Professor of International Relations at Southampton University.