Readings in Globalization: Key Concepts and Major Debates

This unique and engaging anthology introduces students to the major concepts of globalization within the context of the key debates and disputes.

• Introduces globalization through its basic concepts, rather than thematically; a distinctive approach that provides students with a better grasp of what social science has to offer on the topic
• Utilizes concepts from interdisciplinary sources, bringing together work from key figures across a number of fields - from Weber and Marx, to contemporary figures in the field, including Beck, Bauman, Castells, and Homi Bhabha
• Includes excerpts to illustrate ideas, all at an appropriate level of difficulty for an undergraduate audience
• Offers all of this in the dynamic context of major debates surrounding the basic concepts and the fundamental realities of globalization
• Designed so it can be used independently, or alongside Ritzer’s Globalization: A Basic Text for a complete student resource

This unique anthology introduces students to the major concepts of globalization within the context of the key debates and disputes. This distinctive approach of exploring globalization through its basic concepts, rather than thematically, provides students with a better grasp of what social science has to offer on the topic.

Readings in Globalization explores both the political economy of globalization and the relationship between culture and globalization. The wide range of concepts covered includes: civilizations, Orientalism, colonialism, postcolonialism, neoliberalism, structural adjustment, nation-state, transnationalism, world-systems, empire, network society, world risk society, cosmopolitanism, McWorld, creolization, hybridity, glocalization, McDonaldization, and world culture. With contributions from the work of leading figures across a variety of related disciplines, these carefully chosen readings help to clarify our knowledge and advance our understanding of globalization, revealing the often contradictory nature of an issue that is inexorably shaping the contemporary world.

The volume is designed so it may be used independently, or alongside George Ritzer’s Globalization: A Basic Text, for a complete student resource. For further information on Wiley-Blackwell’s books in globalization, along with supporting resources, visit www.wiley.com/go/globalization.

George Ritzer is Distinguished University Professor at the University of Maryland, with awards that include the American Sociological Association’s Distinguished Contribution to Teaching Award. He is the author of numerous books including Globalization: A Basic Text (2009), The McDonaldization of Society (1993; 2008), and The Globalization of Nothing (2003; 2007). He is also editor of The Encyclopedia of Social Theory (2005), The Blackwell Encyclopedia of Sociology (2007), The Blackwell Companion to Globalization (2007), and the forthcoming The Blackwell Encyclopedia of Globalization. His work has been translated into more than 20 languages.

Zeynep Atalay is a PhD Candidate in Sociology at the University of Maryland. Her research interests lie in globalization, civil society, social movements, and NGO networks. Her current research explores the ways in which Muslim NGOs mobilize global networks through civil society.