The Global Transformations Reader

The world is changing dramatically and a vigorous public debate is
under way about the nature and historical significance of these
changes. At the centre of this debate lie conflicting claims about
the extent, form and consequences of contemporary globalization. On
the one hand there are the globalists, who argue that the world is
being fundamentally and irreversibly transformed by globalization.
On the other hand there are the sceptics, who believe that the
globalists' claims are exaggerated and poorly substantiated. The
sceptics contest the very idea of globalization, arguing that the
power of national governments, nationalism and geopolitics remain
the determining features of our age.

This completely revised and fully updated edition of The
Global Transformations Reader brings together the most original
contributions from both sides of the argument and from a range of
disciplines. Many new chapters have been added, which incorporate
the most recent developments in the debate and set these in the
context of a global order that is in a constant state of
flux.

Organized as an accessible and comprehensive teaching text, the
Reader is divided into six sections covering all the key issues in
the debate:

* * controversy over the meaning, causes and historical
significance of 'globalization'

* the transformation of state power and civil society;

* changing patterns of national culture;

* the power of global markets;

* global inequality and its consequences; and

* the nature of the global order and normative aspirations for
its future.

The volume includes an extensive introduction by the editors,
reviewing, analysing and assessing the globalization debate. Short
but highly informative introductions to each section situate and
contextualize the individual readings.

This Reader will be of immense value to all those interested in
one of the most important debates of our time. It will appeal to
students of politics, international relations, economics,
sociology, geography, business studies and cultural studies.

The Global Transformations Reader is part of the
internationally acclaimed series on globalization, which also
includes Global Transformations: Politics, Economics and Culture
and Governing Globalization: Power, Authority and Global
Governance.