Introducing Globalization Theories

Since the explosion of the buzzword “globalization” in academic and public discourse more than thirty years ago, theoretical explorations of worldwide interconnectivities and mobilities have proliferated across major academic disciplines. Introducing Globalization Theories is a short yet comprehensive primer to major globalization theories from the 1990s to the present. This accessible volume explains how globalization frameworks have been assembled by influential thinkers who employ different modes of inquiry. Short summaries, illustrations, and a supplemental guide to further reading equip students with tools to assess the strengths and weaknesses of each theory. Intersecting with relevant contemporary themes such as inequality and ecology, the book also highlights and features postcolonial and Indigenous globalization theories that challenge Western-centric views and point to a more equitable world.

Manfred B. Steger is Professor and Chair of Sociology at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa. He has served as a globalization consultant for the U.S. State Department and is coeditor of Globalization: Past, Present, Future.