This book takes issue with the likening of contemporary globalization to nineteenth century trade interdependence, in which the defining feature of contemporary globalization is the spread of global production networks, which were notably absent in the past. Maswood demonstrates that the emergence of global production networks (GPNs) was not a result of economic and trade liberalization, but instead due to neo-protectionist developments in the 1980s that acted as a catalyst to transform Japan's nationally based production networks into the now ubiquitous GPNs. Through this case study of Japan, the author lays out a case for reconsidering the origins of globalization, and explores some of the consequences that are likely to flow from progressive evolutionary transition towards a global economy.

Suggests that the novelty of segmenting globalization into that of consumption and production means that contemporary economic globalization is unique and without historical parallels Argues that economic inequality is a result not of economic failures (of globalization) but of political failures unrelated to globalization Provides an uncommon explanation of globalization and takes issue with the dominant literature on the subject

Autorentext
Syed Javed Maswood is Associate Professor of Political Science at the American University in Cairo, Egypt. Before joining the American University, Javed was Associate Professor in the Department of International Business and Asian Studies at Griffith University in Brisbane, Australia. He has also taught at several other universities in Singapore, Japan, US, and Canada.

Inhalt

Chapter 1. Introduction.- Chapter 2. Globalization Revisited.- Chapter 3. Protectionism and Global Production Networks.- Chapter 4. Globalization and Trade Stability.- Chapter 5. Globalization and Development.- Chapter 6. Globalization Under Siege: Inequality, democracy, and sovereignty.- Chapter 7. Conclusion.