This textbook deals with the progressive global dissolution of political, economic, and social boundaries, which has significant implications for labor markets, the international division of labor, social security, and income distribution. Politically, it is eroding the sovereign ability of nation-states to shape their own affairs; socially, it conjures up the specter of an increasingly global culture of unity. Against the background of the empirical effects of globalization processes in a number of areas, the book discusses to what extent these fears are justified, whether they cannot also be explained by other developments, and whether the benefits of globalization justify the costs and risks resulting from it.

Presents a concise account of what is meant by globalization Analyzes the extent to which a globalized economy, society and politics actually exist Deals with the progressive global dissolution of political, economic and social boundaries

Autorentext

Prof. Dr. Joachim Betz is Prof. emeritus for Political Science at the University of Hamburg and was Principal Research Fellow at the GIGA Institute of Asian Studies in Hamburg. Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Hein is Prof. emeritus for Political Science at the University of Hamburg and was Principal Research Fellow at the GIGA Institute of Latin American Studies in Hamburg.

Inhalt

Introduction.- Globalization and technological development: production, transport and communication.- Political globalization: democracy, international organizations and global civil society.- Trade.- Foreign investment.- World financial flows.- Migration and globalization.- Globalization and employment.- Globalization and income distribution.- Statehood.- Globalization and the welfare state.- Globalization and democracy.- Globalization and culture.- Globalization and its adversaries.- Global governance.- Drying up of the sources of globalization or resilience.