Globalization And The Nation-State

Plot

Globalization is one of the most compelling social, political and economic theories of the late 20th century. We are constantly being reminded - whether by journalists, politicians, policy analysis or theoreticians - of how it is changing the world in which we live. Yet, faced with so much rhetoric and hype, it is hard to assess what globalization really means and what effect it will have on the lives of individuals and their nations. This book sets out to make sense of the confusion. Drawing on a wealth of information from historical, economic, political and cultural sources, it offers a balanced assessment of the strength and limitations of trends towards globalization. The interpretations it offers are bold and provocative. Globalization is not new, but can be traced back over several thousand years. Globalization is not an inherently Western process, but one that draws on the experience of many nations and civilizations. The nation-state is not about to disappear under the impact of the global juggernaut, yet ideals of national sovereignty are no longer viable in an increasingly interdependent world. Globalization encourages cosmopolitanism, yet cultural identity remains mostly bounded by national and local affiliations. T.