Understanding Globalization: The Social Consequences of Political, Economic and Environmental Change - Tapa dura

Globalization is a multifaceted phenomenon, and Robert Schaeffer's inquiry creatively and yet in detail traces both the uniformities and the diversities embedded in its dynamics. Using ample historical, economic, and political materials, he digs deep into diverse globalizing processes and, in so doing, convincingly demonstrates how these processes are tailored to particular circumstances even as they also reflect shared values, concerns, and practices.--James N. Rosenau, The George Washington University

Today "globalization" is bandied about by nearly everyone. But how many of us really understand the new complexities brought about by the changes that have only intensified near the end of this century? Students of sociology, politics, history and economics should appreciate this vibrant introduction to globalization by scholar and former journalist Robert Schaeffer. He examines the diverse social consequences of global problems for people in different settings, with detailed case histories of dollar devaluations, debt crises, political partitions, environmental dilemmas, drug trafficking, democratization, free trade agreements, food overproduction, and more. His analytic narrative clarifies how complex developments and arcane institutions (such as the World Bank of G-7) take actions that affect every-day lives. While examples are used from around the world, the first part of the book "brings the story home" by showing how global events impact people here in the United States.