Globalization: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions)

"Globalization" has become the buzz-word of our time. A growing number of scholars and political activists have invoked the term to describe a variety of changing economic, political, cultural, ideological, and environmental processes that are alleged to have accelerated in the last few decades. Rather than forcing such a complex social phenomenon into a single conceptual framework, Manfred Steger presents globalization in plain, readable English as a multifaceted process encompassing global, regional, and local aspects of social life. In addition to explaining the various dimensions of globalization, the author explores whether globalization should be considered a "good" or "bad" thing--a question that has been hotly debated in classrooms, boardrooms, and on the streets.

Manfred B. Steger is Associate Professor Politics and Government at Illinois State University and Affiliate Faculty Member at the Globalization Research Center of the University of Hawai'i-Manoa. His books include Globalism: The New Market Ideology.