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

by Robert K. Schaeffer professor of sociology, California Polytechnic State University

Overview

Understanding Globalization introduces students to the concept of globalization, providing an essential history, overview of key themes and theories, and a wealth of engaging examples. The fifth edition has been completely revised to connect with students today, opening with a discussion of the far-reaching causes and effects of the recent financial crisis and including new material on global migration patterns, ISIS, and more, while maintaining the book’s accessible and student-friendly style.

The book begins by examining the roots of the recent global financial crisis, looking at the roles of inflation, the housing crisis, Wall Street, policy makers, and more. It also explores the varying impact of globalization—from democratization and equality in some countries to destabilization and inequality in others. The fifth edition of Understanding Globalization is a compelling and current introduction to the myriad influences of globalization in our lives.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781442215269
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	01/14/2016
Edition description:	Fifth Edition
Pages:	280
Product dimensions:	6.27(w) x 9.29(h) x 0.94(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Robert K. Schaeffer is professor of sociology at California Polytechnic State University. He is author or coauthor of a number of books, including Social Movements and Global Social Change: The Rising Tide and Fast Forward: Work, Gender, and Protest in a Changing World.

Table of Contents

Preface
Introduction

1. The Crisis of Globalization
2. The Rise of Wall Street
3. The Housing Boom
4. Financial Crisis and Great Recession
5. Democratization in the Republics
6. Division and Sub-division, Conflict and War
7. Globalization and China
8. Marginalization and Exit in Africa
9. Globalization and Global Warming

What People are Saying About This

Ione DeOllos

Understanding Globalization is an exceptional book that thoroughly covers contemporary issues relating to globalization that students find extremely readable.

Immanuel Wallerstein

A remarkably clear exposition of the major economic developments of the last two decades. It cuts through jargon and pap, and is therefore a great assist to serious reflection and intelligent debate for all concerned citizens.

James N. Rosenau

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.

Lisa Benton-Short

Schaeffer presents a balanced and geographically informed perspective on the uneven outcomes of globalization. In the new edition, he has astutely included a discussion of fair trade versus free trade, a new chapter on migration and provides the context for many of the most significant global changes that confront the North and South in the twenty-first century. The book is both accessible and substantial-a rare accomplishment. It has become my 'go-to' book on globalization.

Editorial Reviews

Understanding Globalization is an exceptional book that thoroughly covers contemporary issues relating to globalization that students find extremely readable.

Ione DeOllos

Understanding Globalization reveals the complex, uneven, and often contradictory outcomes of globalization, such as growing economic inequality in some places, and increasing equality in others. It can facilitate economic integration as it has done in China or exacerbate disintegration and marginalization as it has in Africa. In this fifth edition, Robert Schaeffer explores how globalization impacts long-term processes such as development, democratization, and climate change, and how it can create short-term crises, such as war and conflict, and the 2008 global financial crisis that began in the United States. As a geographer, I appreciate that the book soundly documents the consequences that globalization has on both people and places, and that it seeks to explain a dynamic that is unevenly experienced around the world. The book is both accessible and substantial—a rare accomplishment. It has become my 'go-to' book on globalization.

Lisa Benton-Short

This book is wonderful. It presents a very clear history of modern globalization and the role the United States has played in this process. It is currently the best book on explaining the historical conditions that have led to modern globalization.

Gabriel Aquino

Praise for previous editions:

This clearly written and vastly comprehensive book is a valuable and fascinating read.. .. Schaeffer turns his gaze to topics as varied as inflation, debt crises at home and abroad, stock market booms and busts, hunger and agriculture, free trade agreements, global climate change, democratization, and the global drug trade. In nearly every case, the research is solid and the choice of details fascinating.. .. I would recommend this book for general readers. .. or mid-level courses wishing to incorporate a global perspective.

Contemporary Sociology

Understanding Globalization is an excellent overview of the globalizing processes of the past fifty years.

Missiology: An International Review

This clearly written and vastly comprehensive book is a valuable and fascinating read. . . . Schaeffer turns his gaze to topics as varied as inflation, debt crises at home and abroad, stock market booms and busts, hunger and agriculture, free trade agreements, global climate change, democratization, and the global drug trade. In nearly every case, the research is solid and the choice of details fascinating. . . I would recommend this book for general readers . . . or mid-level courses wishing to incorporate a global perspective.

J. Timmons Roberts

In a series of studies that can be read separately or together, Schaeffer (sociology, Kansas State U.) looks closely at various phenomena that different groups and interests glorify or vilify as globalization. He pays particular attention to events in and affecting the US, not only because the US is a primary player, but also to alert American readers to impacts on them. No date is cited for the first edition. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

This clearly written and vastly comprehensive book is a valuable and fascinating read. . . . Schaeffer turns his gaze to topics as varied as inflation, debt crises at home and abroad, stock market booms and busts, hunger and agriculture, free trade agreements, global climate change, democratization, and the global drug trade. In nearly every case, the research is solid and the choice of details fascinating. . . . I would recommend this book for general readers . . . or mid-level courses wishing to incorporate a global perspective.

Contemporary Sociology - J. Timmons Roberts

For the purposes of teaching the book is to be highly recommended.

The European Journal Of Development Research

Robert Schaeffer has taken the entire world as his subject and has made it remarkably comprehensible. I can't think of a better guide to this new world.

The New Republic - John B. Judis

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.

James N. Rosenau

A remarkably clear exposition of the major economic developments of the last two decades. It cuts through jargon and pap, and is therefore a great assist to serious reflection and intelligent debate for all concerned citizens.

Immanuel Wallerstein

Robert Schaeffer has taken the entire world as his subject and has made it remarkably comprehensible. I can't think of a better guide to this new world.
— John B. Judis

The New Republic