Since the end of the cold war, understandings of the development of relationships within and between states have taken on new meanings, generally bundled under the word "globalization." This word is used everywhere, but what does it mean? This book explores the political dimensions of globalization, considering different definitions of the term as well as several specific globalizing processes. While much of the emphasis is on political changes wrought by economic trends such as trade and international capital flows, other forces such as cultural changes, issues of identity, and so on are also involved. Evidence of changes in each of these areas is presented, and political consequences discussed. These issues are addressed in order to pursue a question that provides the theme for the volume: will globalization win over supporters and therefore have political momentum, or will it engender a backlash?

While there are now many books with the word "globalization" in their title, many are simply updates of traditional international relations texts. Others have one distinct point of view they wish to promote. Most do not bother to explore just what globalization entails, or what others from opposing perspectives have said about it. This book offers more of an overview of various points of view rooted in traditional and emerging theories and paradigms; these differing points of view are then assessed against the evidence from the current period, as well as the past. Specific chapters address issues of definition, expectations regarding politics from various perspectives, recent evidence, cultural and identity issues, past episodes of globalization, and opportunities for global governance. The book: explores views on whether "globalization" is a good thing - or not; lays out the main features of different ideas of what globalization means and assesses these against current and historical evidence; and compares various theories and paradigms.

Comments:

"In this pleasingly written primer on the comparative and international politics of globalization, Brawley provides us with a remarkably balanced, systematic, and nevertheless accessible survey of the facts and debates pertaining to the issue of globalization. This is a unique teaching tool for junior undergraduate courses on globalization." - Daniel Verdier, Ohio State University

Mark R. Brawley is Professor of Political Science at McGill University in Montreal. He has taught at McGill since 1990, except for 2000-2001, when he was a visitor at Harvard's Department of Government. He is the author of several other books including Afterglow or Adjustment? (Columbia University Press, 1999) and Power, Money, and Trade: Decisions That Shape Global Economic Relations (Broadview Press, 2005).

Table of Contents: [Back to Top]

Acknowledgements

1. Defining Globalization
2. Theoretical Lenses for Viewing Globalization
3. What People Fear — or Anticipate — about Globalization
4. Is Globalization Occurring? Assessing the Evidence
5. Globalization and Domestic Politics
6. How Globalization's Impact Varies
7. Globalization and the Politics of Identity
8. Putting Globalization in Historical Perspective
9. Future Scenarios: Political Backlash, or Global Governance?
10. Grasping the Consequences of Globalization

Index

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