Understanding Globalization: The Social Consequences of Political, Economic, and Environmental Change

Today "globalization" is bandied about by nearly everyone. But how many of us really understand the new complexities brought about by changes that have only intensified near the end of this century?

Students of sociology, politics, history, and economics will appreciate this vibrant introduction to globalization by scholar and former journalist Robert K. Schaeffer. He examines the diverse social consequences of global problems for people in different settings, with detailed case histories of dollar devaluations, debt crises, political partitions, environmental dilemmas, drug trafficking, democratization, free trade agreements, food overproduction, and more. His analytic narrative clarifies how complex developments and arcane institutions (such as the World Bank or G-7) affect everyday lives. While examples are used from around the world, the first part of the book "brings the story home" by showing how global events impact people here in the United States.