Globalization / Anti-Globalization

Is globalization being eclipsed by a resurgent geopolitics? Does the war on terror denote the end of globalization or a new phase of militarized globalization? Empire or globalization – are these the right terms to describe the current global order? The second edition of this highly successful book tests the claims of those who dismiss the continuing significance of globalization through a comprehensive assessment of contemporary global trends. In the aftermath of 9/11, and the war in Iraq, there has been much talk of the end of globalization. Held and McGrew argue that these post-mortems for globalization are entirely premature. They show this by focusing upon the primary structures of world order namely: patterns of governance, organized violence, the economy, culture and environmental degradation. Patterns of inequality, exclusion and domination are also assessed. Building upon this analysis, the authors present the case for continuing to take globalization seriously as both a description and explanation of our current global condition. They also ask the vital question: can globalization be tamed? Held and McGrew explore whether a more just and stable world order is either desirable or feasible and present an alternative ethical and political agenda for the twenty-first century – a global covenant of cosmopolitan social democracy. The second edition of this powerful and original book has been comprehensively updated, with three new chapters added. The book will appeal to all those who remain intrigued, confused or simply baffled by the controversy about globalization and its consequences for the twenty-first century world order.

List of Figures and Tables Acknowledgements Introduction 1 The Demise of Globalization: Current Controversies Part One – The Globalization Controversy 2 The Reconfiguration of Political Power? 3 The Fate of National Culture 4 Global Insecurities: Military Threats and Environmental Catastrophe 5 A New World Economic Order: Global Markets and State Power 6 The Great Divergence: Global Inequality and Development 7 (Mis)Managing the World? Part Two – Remaking Globalization 8 Beyond Globalization / Antiglobalization 9 World Orders, Ethical Foundations 10 The Contentious Politics of Globalization: Mapping Ideals and Theories 11 Reconstructing World Order: Towards Cosmopolitan Social Democracy 12 Testing Cosmopolitan Social Democracy; the challenge of 9/11 and global economic governance References Index