Synopses & Reviews
An engaging and challenging introduction to the thorny paths of the globalization debate, focusing on two main questions: What does globalization mean? And how can it be molded politically? Beck examines the paradoxes of globality and globalization with regard to society, economics, politics, ecology, and culture. He offers a series of constructive proposals to counter the current paralysis of politics, suggesting ten ways of beginning to address and answer the challenges of the global age. The book concludes by conjecturing that, if our politicians don't respond creatively to the challenge, we will experience what Beck calls 'the Brazilianization of Europe'.
Review
'The primary virtue of Beck's book lies in its helpful and comprehensive mapping of the various contours of the broad debates about globalization ... As would be expected from a sociologist of the stature of Beck, this is a fascinating , eclectic book where an illuminating empirical example is never very far away.'
Democractization'This introduction to the thorny path of the globalization debate aims to clarify the ambiguities of the debate, distinguish between the various types of globalization, and warn the reader of conceptual traps.' Business Horizons
Synopsis
This important new book offers an engaging and challenging introduction to the thorny paths of the globalization debate.
About the Author
Ulrich Beck is Professor of Sociology at the Ludwig-Maximilian University in Munich.
Table of Contents
Foreword.
Introduction.
Vitual Tax-Payers.
The National State Caught between World Economy and Individualization: What is to be Done?.
The Globalization Shock: A Belated Discussion.
Part I: Dimensions, Controversies, Definitions: .
1. The World Horizon Opens Up: On the Sociology of Globalization.
2. Transnational Civil Society: How a Cosmopolitan Vision is Emerging.
3. Contours of World Society: Rival Perspectives.
Part II: Perspectives:.
4. Errors of Globalism.
5. Responses to Globalization.
6. Europe and Globalization.
Conclusion: Decline a la Carte: The Brazilianization of Europe.
Further Reading.
Index.