Globalization: A Basic Text 3rd Edition

"As we revise this preface in January, 2021, we are struck by how much the events of the day both reflect, and are profoundly changing, the process of globalization. For example, all of our lives have been altered by the global pandemic of COVID-19. The deadly virus emerged in late 2019, and within a few short months, it had made its way around the entire globe. In a highly interconnected world, it was spread through cheap international air travel, cargo ships crossing the vast oceans, and domestic travelers carried it deeper into even remote regions. The pandemic brought the global economy to a grinding halt, plummeting international trade, and putting people out of work in virtually every country on the planet. The World Health Organization (WHO) coordinated a global response in an attempt to halt the virus but over a year into the pandemic, COVID-19 cases and deaths continue to mount. Fortunately, several promising vaccines have been developed and those too are making their way through global distribution networks in hopes of ending the deadly virus. It has been particularly fascinating to watch global events unfold as we have continued writing the first, second, and third editions of this book. For instance, the first edition was published in the midst of the Great Recession. While writing the second edition, the global economy had stabilized but it had not yet rebounded to its prerecessionary levels for most parts of the world. A great number of scholars and activists argued that it was neoliberal policy (see Chapter 4) that led to the Great Recession, and as the economic turmoil wore on, some predicted its demise. But economic growth would resume (until COVID-19), and having emerged from the Great Recession, it became clear that neoliberalism remains a strong force in both global politics and the global economy"--
An accessible and comprehensive introduction to key concepts in globalization written by leading authors in the field  In the comprehensively revised Third Edition of Globalization: A Basic Text, distinguished researchers and authors George Ritzer and Paul Dean deliver an up-to-date introduction to major trends and topics related to the study of globalization. The book includes accessible and rigorous material on the key theories and major topics in globalization, as well as modern developments like the rise of populism and far-right political groups, Brexit, migration and backlash to it, trade negotiations, social media and the spread of misinformation, climate change, social justice issues, and COVID-19.  The new edition includes a greater focus on the structures of inequality that encourage or discourage global flows. Additionally, new examples and sources from Central and South America, Africa, and Asia are used to illustrate key concepts, and round out the international coverage of book. Throughout, the authors use clear and helpful metaphors including solids, liquids, gases, and flows to introduce and explain the complex nature of globalization in an engaging and understandable way.   Readers will also benefit from the inclusion of:  A thorough introduction to globalization and related processes, including imperialism, colonialism, development, and westernization  An exploration of neoliberalism, including its roots, principles, criticisms, and Neo-Marxist alternatives  A practical discussion of global political structures and processes, as well as global economic flows of production and consumption  A concise treatment of negative global flows and processes, including dangerous imports, diseases, crime, terrorism, and war  Analysis of the changing nature of globalization and de-globalization, and the social movements and technological developments driving these changes  More images, charts, and graphs to help illustrate and highlight the concepts contained in the book  Perfect for advanced undergraduates studying globalization across sociology, political science, geography, anthropology, and economics, Globalization: A Basic Text, Third Edition will also be essential reading for students taking courses in culture, economy and inequality, and migration taught from a global perspective.