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Royal Holloway, University of London

 

Department of Politics and International Relations

 

PR5901A Theories of Globalization

 

Taught by Dr. Chris Rumford

 

Overview

The meaning and causes of globalization are highly contested. Some theorists hold that it is the logical outcome of capitalism and the development of world markets, or the result of information technologies with transformative implications for state, society and the individual. Others argue that it is the outcome of long-term processes through which the world has become shaped by certain cultural norms, or by the diffusion of rational models of societal organization leading to something akin to a world polity. In this module, globalization is understood in terms of the social, economic, and political processes resulting in greater interconnectedness coupled with a heightened awareness among people that they inhabit “one world.”

 

Aims of course:

  • To provide an overview of social scientific theories of and approaches to the study of globalization;
  • to highlight central issues and debates in the theorization of globalization;
  • to evaluate critically contending theories of globalization, and;
  • to provide an intellectually stimulating course which will prepare students for a critical engagement with contemporary debates on the meaning and dynamics of globalization.

 

Learning outcomes: Upon successful completion of the course students will:

  • have acquired knowledge of a range of approaches to thinking about globalization;
  • be aware of the main social science debates on the role of globalization in contemporary social change;
  • be capable of critical analysis of the major approaches to studying globalization, and;
  • be capable of evaluating their appropriateness in explaining social and political developments in the contemporary world.

 

Assessment

One essay (approx. 3500 words) 50% of total; one unseen examination (2 hours) 50%.

 

Resources

Please note that the short loan section of the Bedford library holds the 6 volume collection Globalization: Critical Concepts in Sociology edited by Roland Robertson and Kathleen White (Routledge 2003) 327 GLO, which will be a very valuable source of material for all aspects of this course.

In addition, students should familiarise themselves with the material available on the following webpages:

Frank Lechner’s Globalization webpage: http://www.emory.edu/SOC/globalization/index.html

Chris Rumford’s webpage: http://www.chrisrumford.org.uk/plate_noticeboard.html

 

 

Course outline:

 

Topic one:

Introduction I: theorizing globalization

The course focuses on approaches to globalization developed by political and social scientists. Even so there are many different interpretations of globalization. Some, preferring a more economistic reading, see globalization in terms of global markets, financial flows, and trans-national business organizations. On this view, globalization is a relatively recent phenomenon and can be attributed to western countries’ attempts to liberalize trade and promote the spread of capitalism over the past two decades or so. Other perspectives emphasise the multi-causal and multi-dimensional nature of globalization comprising a series of processes that have increased the interconnectedness of the world and the development of a global consciousness. This “cultural” reading emphasises that key processes of globalization have been in operation for many centuries. This session will introduce a range of approaches to thinking about globalization, and orientate students to the literature on the subject.

 

Seminar topic: How have social scientists understood globalization, and what sort of transformation does it represent?

 

Axford, B. 2000: "Globalization," in G. Browning, A. Halcli, and F. Webster (eds) Understanding Contemporary Society. London: Sage. 301 UND

Lechner, F. and Boli, J. World Culture: Origins and Consequences (esp. Chapter 2) Oxford: Blackwell 301.2 LEC

Axford, B. 1995: The Global System: Economics, Politics and Culture. Cambridge: Polity Press (esp. Chaps 1 and 2) 338.9 AXF

Scholte, J. A. 2000: Globalization: A Critical Introduction (Palgrave) (esp. Part 1 “Framework of Analysis”) 330.9 SCH

Robins, K. 1997: “What in the world’s going on?” in P. du Gay (ed) Production of culture/Cultures of production. London: Sage  301.2 PRO

Hirst, P. and Thompson, G. 1999: Globalization in Question: The Interational Economy and the Possibilities of Governance Cambridge: Polity Press 339 HIR

Holton, R. 2005: Making Globalization’ Houndmills: Palgrave.

 

 

Topic two:

Introduction II: Varieties of globalization thinking

Globalization has dominated thinking about political and social science over the past decade or so, and a wide variety of interpretations of globalization have emerged. At this stage in the course it will be useful to examine some popular (and influential) accounts of globalization, the assumptions underlying them, and the explanations for the causes and consequences of globalization they advance. We will focus on two texts: Hardt and Negri’s ‘Empire’ a thesis which had a major impact on globalization thinking, and Stiglitz’s critique of institutions of global governance.

 

Seminar topic: What is distinctive about the way Hardt and Negri and/or Stiglitz characterise globalization, and what are the strengths and weaknesses of their approach?

 

Hardt, M. and Negri, A. 2001 Empire. Harvard University Press 321.03 HAR

Stiglitz, J. 2004:  Globalization and Its Discontents. Penguin 338.9 STI

Lechner, F. and Boli, J. (eds) 2004: The Globalization Reader (Second Edition) Oxford: Blackwell (especially Part 1 “Debating Globalization” and Part II “Explaining Globalization”) 330.9 GLO

 

 

Topic three

World systems theory: global capitalism

World systems theory set the agenda for economistic readings of globalization, being founded upon a neo-Marxist attempt to place capitalist expansion in a global context.

Associated most strongly with the work of Wallerstein, World Systems Theory attempts to explain the spread of the capitalist system across the globe, a process which has been in operation for at least five hundred years. Often criticised for a rather one-dimensional reading of globalization, World Systems Theory has played an important role in establishing the need to adopt a global perspective in understanding contemporary political and social change.

 

Seminar topic: What are the strengths and weaknesses of World Systems Theory?

 

Students are directed to the following websites:

Journal of World-Systems Research: http://jwsr.ucr.edu/index.php

Frank Lechner’s Globalization webpage: http://www.emory.edu/SOC/globalization/theories.html

 

Wallerstein, I. (2003) ‘The Rise And Future Demise Of The World Capitalist System’ in  F. Lechner and J. Boli (eds) 20004: The Globalization Reader (Second Edition) Oxford: Blackwell 330.9 GLO

Wallerstein, I. (1991) Geopolitics and Geoculture: Essays on the changing world-system. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press).  911 WAL

Axford, B. 1995: The Global System: Economics, Politics and Culture. Cambridge: Polity Press (esp. Chap. 2) 338.9 AXF

Chase-Dunn, C. 1999: “Globalization: a world-system perspective” Journal of World-System Reeseach Vol V No 2

http://jwsr.ucr.edu/archive/vol5/number2/html/chase-dunn/index.shtml

Hopkins, T. and Wallerstein, I. 1982: World-systems analysis:  theory and methodology. London: Sage.        330.9 HOP

Hopkins, T. and Wallerstein, I. 1996: The Age of Transition: Trajectory of the World-System 1945-2025  London: Zed Books

Lechner, F. and Boli, J. World Culture: Origins and Consequences (esp. Chapter 10) Oxford: Blackwell 301.2 LEC

 

 

Topic four:

Global culture: the long history of globalization

The work of Roland Robertson connects sociological interpretations of global transformation with a concern for a world of nation-states under conditions of globalization. One of the seminal figures in the development of cultural (ie. non-economistic) interpretations of globalization, Robertson argues that the world has, over a millennium or more, become deeply interconnected and that there is a growing consciousness that this has occurred. He is also associated with the idea that the global and the local are intimately related resulting in “glocalization”. We will focus on Robertson’s historical schema for globalization and his work on the cultural “unicity” of the world.

 

Seminar topic: For Robertson, what is the relationship between globalization and modernity?

 

Students are directed to the following website:

Frank Lechner’s Globalization webpage: http://www.emory.edu/SOC/globalization/theories.html

Robertson, R 1992: Globalization: Social Theory and Global Culture London: Sage 301.2 ROB

Robertson, R. 2004: “Globalization as a problem” in  F. Lechner and J. Boli (eds) 20004: The Globalization Reader (Second Edition) Oxford: Blackwell 330.9 GLO

Robertson, R. 2001: "Globalization theory 2000 : major problematics," in G. Ritzer and B. Smart (eds), Handbook of Social Theory. London: Sage 301.01 HAN

Lechner, F. and Boli, J. World Culture: Origins and Consequences (esp. Chapter 2) Oxford: Blackwell 301.2 LEC

Robertson, R. 1990: “Mapping the global condition,” in M. Featherstone (ed.), Global Culture: Nationalism, Globalization and Modernity. Sage: London 301.2 GLO

Robertson, R. 1991: “Social theory, cultural relativity and the problem of globality,” in A.D. King (ed.) Culture, Globalization and the World-System. Palgrave: Houndmills 301.2 CUL

Robertson, R. 1995 “Glocalization: time-space and homogeneity-heterogeneity,” in M. Featherstone, S. Lash and R. Robertson (eds), Global Modernities. Sage: London 301.2 GLO

 

 

Topic five:

World polity: the making of global society

The work of John W. Meyer and his colleagues at Stanford University has provided a rich resource for understanding both the globalization of the nation-state and the emergence of a world polity, or system of states. They argue, in several detailed empirical studies, that there is a growing isomorphism in the world, in other words that societies are becoming more similar in cultural and political terms irrespective of levels of economic development. Their work also points to the important role of NGOs in disseminating a global culture over the past 150 years or so.

 

Seminar topic: How useful is the ‘world polity’ thesis for understanding the impact of globalization on the nation-state?

 

Students are directed to the following website:

Frank Lechner’s Globalization webpage http://www.emory.edu/SOC/globalization/theories.html

Lechner, F. and Boli, J. World Culture: Origins and Consequences (esp. Chapter 2) Oxford: Blackwell 301.2 LEC

Meyer, J.W., Boli, J., Thomas, G., and Ramirez, F. 2004: “World society and the nation-state” in  F. Lechner and J. Boli (eds) 20004: The Globalization Reader (Second Edition) Oxford: Blackwell 330.9 GLO

Meyer, J.W., Boli, J., Thomas, G.M., and Ramirez, F.O. 1997 "World society and the nation-state," American Journal of Sociology 103(1).

Meyer, J.W. “Globalization, National Culture, and the future of World Polity”

Meyer, J. W. 2000: "Globalization: sources and effects on national states and societies," International Sociology 15(2).

Boli, J. and Thomas, G.M. 1999: Constructing World Culture: International Nongovernmental Organizations since 1875 Stanford, Ca.:Stanford University Press.

Boli, J. and Thomas G.M. 1997: "World culture in the world polity: a century of international non-governmental organization," American Sociological Review, 62 (April), 171-190.

 

 

Topic six:

Global transformations

Many authors have emphasised the transformatory potential of globalization on states, markets, societies and the configuration of the world of politics that this entails. The work of David Held and his colleagues, best represented by the book Global Transformations: Politics, Economics and Culture, is one example. Another is the work of Jan Aart Scholte, in particular his book Globalization: A Critical Introduction. Both Held et al and Scholte focus on policy related political changes. These authors examine the origins and causes of globalization, and the nature, scope and dynamics of the changes associated with it, and develop their studies within an historical framework which emphasises the long duration of processes comprising globalization. Their work is also strong on the implications for the nation-state and democracy.

 

Seminar topic: What have been the most important changes brought about by globalization, and how can these changes best be managed?

 

Students are directed to the following website:

Global Transformations: http://www.polity.co.uk/global/

 

Held, D., McGrew, A., Goldblatt, D., and Perraton, J. 1999: Global Transformations: Politics, Economics and Culture. Cambridge: Polity  330.9 GLO

Held, D. and McGrew, A. 2002: Governing Globalization: Power, Authority and Global Governance Cambridge: Polity Press 327.1 GOV

Scholte, J. A. 2000: Globalization: A Critical Introduction (Palgrave) 330.9 SCH

Robertson, R. 2001: "Globalization theory 2000 : major problematics," in G. Ritzer and B. Smart (eds), Handbook of Social Theory. London: Sage 301.01 HAN

Held, D. and McGrew, A. 2000: “Globalization, regionalization and the

transformation of political community”

Held, D. 1999: "The transformation of political community: rethinking democracy in the context of globalization," in I Shapiro and C. Hacker-Cordon (eds) Democracy’s Edges. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 321.8 DEM

Archibugi, D., Held, D., and Kohler, M (eds) 1998: Re-imagining Political Community: Studies in Cosmopolitan Democracy. Cambridge: Polity Press.

 

 

Topic seven:

Global networks and global flows

Globalization is commonly associated with the rise of “network society”, a post-territorial polity founded upon mobilities, flows and increasing connectivity. Of all the theorists that have appropriated the metaphor of the network the most celebrated is undoubtedly Manuel Castells, whose three volume work The Information Age: Economy, Society and Culture has been one of the most influential works of social science (and globalization) in the past decade. In this section of the course we will also examine Appadurai’s influential work on flows and scapes, and Urry’s idea of mobilities.

 

Seminar topic: Has globalization led to a network society?

 

Castells, M. 2000a: The Rise of the Network Society: The Information Age: Economy, Society and Culture: Volume 1 (Second Edition). Blackwell: Oxford. 301.243 CAS

Castells, M. 2000: “Material for an exploratory theory of the network society” British Journal of Sociology 51(1).

Appadurai, A. 1996: Modernity at Large: Cultural Dimensions of Globalization. University of Minnesota Press: Minneapolis.  (esp Ch 2) 301.2 APP

Appaduarai, A. 2004: “Disjuncture and difference in the global cultural economy” in Boli, J. and Lechner, F. 1999: The Globalization Reader (Second Edition) Oxford: Blackwell  330.9 GLO

Urry, J. 2000: Sociology beyond societies : mobilities for the next century. London: Routledge. 301.001 URR

Urry, J. 2003: “Mobile Cultures”

http://www.comp.lancs.ac.uk/sociology/papers/urry-mobile-cultures.pdf

 

 

Topic eight:

Cosmopolitanism

Cosmopolitanism, one strand of Enlightenment thinking, has re-emerged in recent years after being eclipsed by more than a century by nationalist thought. Whereas previously cosmopolitanism was associated with (abstract) ideas of world citizenship and universal brotherhood, more recent constructions emphasize the location of the individual within a multiplicity of identities and belongings and membership in a plurality of communities. Thus, in addition to rejection of a narrow nationalistic outlook cosmopolitanism can claim a new political content: the an idea of world citizenship has been given substance through notions of environmental responsibility, the universality of human and personhood rights, and the need for worldwide human development. Thus constituted, cosmopolitanism provides an important perspective on processes of globalization and the interconnectedness of the world.

 

Seminar topic: What is the relationship between globalization and cosmopolitanism?

 

Vertovec, S. and Cohen, R. (eds) 2002: Conceiving Cosmopolitanism. Oxford: Oxford University Press 301.2 CON

Beck, U. 2002: “Cosmopolitan society and its enemies” Theory Culture and Society 19(1-2)

http://www.sunysb.edu/sociology/faculty/Levy/Beck%20Cosmopolitan%20Society%20and%20its%20Enemies%20(TCS).pdf

Beck, U. 2005: Cosmopolitan Visions Cambridge: Polity Press  

Archibugi, D. 2003: Debating Cosmopolitics (Verso)

Cheah, P. and Robbins, B. 1998: Cosmopolitics: Thinking and Feeling Beyond the Nation (University of Minnesota Press)

Archibugi, D., Held, D., and Kohler, M. 1998: Re-imagining political community :studies in cosmopolitan democracy. Cambridge: Polity Press.

Stevenson, N. 2003: Cultural citizenship: cosmopolitan questions. Buckingham: Open University Press 323.6 STE

 

 

Topic nine:

World risk society

It has been widely argued that we now live in a risk society. From air pollution to environmental hazards to the risks inherent in everyday choices (food, drink etc) we seem to be bombarded with information about risk. Contemporary society seems to be characterised by risk and how it should be managed at both the institutional and personal levels. Importantly, many risks (depletion of the ozone layer, AIDS) are such that they cannot be contained and managed by agencies of one or more nation-states. Thus, the very nature of risk forces us to both recognise the globality of risk society and the need for transnational forms of cooperation in order to reach possible solutions.

 

Seminar topic: Does an awareness of risk make global society more likely?

 

Beck, U. 1999: World risk society. Cambridge: Polity

Beck, U. 1992: Risk society: towards a new modernity. Cambridge: Polity 301.2 BEC

Beck, U. (1992) ‘From industrial society to the risk society: questions of survival, social structure and ecological enlightenment’ Theory, Culture and Society 9, 97-123

Lupton, D. (1999) Risk London: Routledge 301.1 LUP

Giddens, A. (1991) Modernity and Self Identity: self and society in the late modern age  (esp. Chapter 4) Cambridge, Polity Press    301.001GID

Elliott, A. (2002) ‘Beck’s sociology of risk: a critical assessment’ Sociology 36, 2, 293-315

 

 

Topic 10:

Americanization and global hegemony

In some versions of globalization theory globalization is synonymous with Americanization and cultural imperialism. For other commentators the relationship of America to globalization is much more complex, and one which deserves detailed investigation. We will examine a range of approaches to the question of the extent to which globalization leads to new forms of cultural hegemony and global domination. George Ritzer’s ‘McDonaldization thesis’ is one such approach.

 

Seminar topic: Are globalization and Americanization synonymous?

 

Pieterse, J.N 2003: “Hyperpower exceptionalism: globalization the American way” in Beck, U., Sznaider, N., and Winter, R. (eds) 2003: Global America? The Cultural Consequences of Globalization Liverpool: Liverpool University Press 327.73 GLO

Ritzer, G. 2003:  “Assessing McDonaldization, Americanization and globalization” in Beck, U., Sznaider, N., and Winter, R. (eds) 2003: Global America? The Cultural Consequences of Globalization Liverpool: Liverpool University Press 327.73 GLO

Ritzer, G. 1998: The McDonaldization Thesis. London: Sage 301.240973 RIT

Ritzer, G. 2004: The Globalization of Nothing (Pine Forge Press) 301.24 RIT

Beck, U., Sznaider, N., and Winter, R. (eds) 2003: Global America? The Cultural Consequences of Globalization Liverpool: Liverpool University Press (esp. Part 3).

Falk, R. 2004:  The declining world order: America’s imperial geopolitics London: Routledge 327.73 FAL

 

 

 

 

 

DEPARTMENT OF POLITICS AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Course Specification 2005/6

Code:

PR5901A

Course Value:

0.5 Unit

Status:

MSc Option

Title:

Theories of Globalization

Availability:

Spring

Prerequisites:

None

Recommended:

None

Co-ordinator:

Dr. Chris Rumford

Course Staff

Dr. Chris Rumford

 

Aims:

 

 

To provide an overview of political and social science theories of and approaches to the study of globalization; to highlight central issues and debates in the theorization of globalization; to evaluate critically contending theories of globalization; to provide an intellectually stimulating course which will prepare students for a critical engagement in contemporary debates on the meaning and dynamics of globalization.

 

 

Learning

Outcomes:

 

 

 

 

 

Upon successful completion of the course students will:

  • have acquired knowledge of a range of approaches to thinking about globalization;
  • be aware of the main social science debates on the role of globalization in contemporary social change;
  • be capable of critical analysis of the major approaches to studying globalization, and:
  • be capable of evaluating their appropriateness in explaining social and political developments in the contemporary world.

 

 

Course

Content:

 

  1. Introduction: approaches to theorizing globalization
  2. World systems theory: global capitalism (Wallerstein)
  3. Global culture: the long history of  globalization (Robertson)
  4. World polity: the making of world society (Meyer et al.)
  5. Global transformations (Held et al.)
  6. Globalization, modernity and postmodernity
  7. The Global Age beyond modernity
  8. Rationality, individuality, and the organization of global culture
  9. Global flows and global networks
  10. The cosmopolitan perspective

 

Teaching & Learning Methods

 

Lectures and seminars

 

 

Key Bibliography:

 

 

 

 

Albrow, M. 1996: The Global Age: State and Society Beyond Modernity (Polity)

Robertson, R. 1992: Globalization: Social Theory and Global Culture (Sage)

Scholte, J. A. 2000: Globalization: A Critical Introduction (Palgrave)

Meyer, J.W., Boli, J., Thomas, G.M., and Ramirez, F.O. 1997 "World society and the nation-state," American Journal of Sociology 103(1).

Appadurai, A. 1996: Modernity at Large: the Cultural Dimensions of Globalization (University of Minnesota Press)

Boli, J. and Lechner, F. 1999: The Globalization Reader (Blackwell)

Formative assessment:

 

 

Assessment:

 

Exam (%) One two hour unseen paper (50%)

 

Coursework (%)  One essay (3,500 words) (50%)

 

 

 

Deadlines: tba

The information contained in this course outline is correct at the time of publication, but may be subject to change as part of the Department’s

policy of continuous improvement and development.  Every effort will be made to notify you of any such changes.