Globalization
Key Thinkers
PKS Polity Key Thinkers Series
1. Edition June 2010
224 Pages, Hardcover
Wiley & Sons Ltd
Globalization: Key Thinkers offers a critical commentary on the leading thinkers in the contemporary globalization debate, as well as new arguments about the future direction of globalization thinking. The book guides the reader through the key arguments of leading thinkers, explaining their place in the wider globalization debate and evaluating their critical reception. Eleven thematic chapters focus on one or two key thinkers covering every aspect of the globalization debate including the theoretical arguments of Anthony Giddens and Manuel Castells, to the positive arguments of Thomas Friedman and Martin Wolf and the reforming ideas of Joseph Stiglitz. Other chapters variously address the ideas of Immanuel Wallerstein, Arjun Appadurai, Paul Hirst, Naomi Klein, Grahame Thompson, David Held, Anthony McGrew, Michael Hardt, Antonio Negri, Saskia Sassen and Peter Dicken. Each chapter also provides some carefully selected recommendations for further reading for the thinkers discussed. The book ends with a concluding chapter that examines how thinking about globalization is likely to develop in future. Whilst individual chapters can stand alone, the book is designed as a whole to enhance the reader's understanding of how different thinkers' ideas relate and contrast to each other.
Systemic Thinking: Immanuel Wallerstein
Conceptual Thinking: Anthony Giddens
Sociological Thinking: Manuel Castells
Transformational Thinking: David Held and Anthony McGrew
Sceptical Thinking: Paul Hirst and Grahame Thompson
Spatial Thinking: Peter Dicken and Saskia Sassen
Positive Thinking: Thomas Friedman and Martin Wolf
Reformist Thinking: Joseph Stiglitz
Radical Thinking: Naomi Klein, George Monbiot and Subcommandante
Marcos
Revolutionary Thinking: Michael Hardt and Antonio Negri
Cultural Thinking: Arjun Appadurai
Conclusion: Rethinking Globalization (again)
well-informed introduction to globalisation and its literature
should find the book readable and rewarding; readers more familiar
with its subject should find it stimulating."
Political Studies Review
"An excellent guide to the works of leading globalization
thinkers. More than a regular 'reader' on globalization; Jones
offers his own analysis, distils the various criticisms and
evaluates the thinker's contributions against the historical
context of his or her key works."
Geografiska Annaler B
"This imaginative book offers an excellent grand tour of the
monumental works by 18 leading thinkers of contemporary
globalization. Written in a highly systematic and yet critical
manner, Jones' book clearly stands out as the key introductory
reference in the messy jungle of globalization studies."
Henry Yeung, National University of Singapore
"Andrew Jones has produced an absorbing and detailed analysis of
some of the key writers on globalisation that provides a timely and
critical assessment of the current state of knowledge in this
somewhat crowded field."
Diane Perrons, London School of Economics
"This book offers a rather unique and original means of
understanding the different perspectives on globalization. It cuts
through jargon and presents in a clear fashion the arguments of the
key thinkers."
Stephen D. Morris, Tennessee State University
