This book examines contemporary debates in an accessible fashion, offering a clear guide to one of the big issues of our time. This important and innovative textbook will be welcomed across the social sciences.

The writings of the critical theorists caught the imagination of students and intellectuals in the 1960s and 1970s. They became a key element in the formation and self-understanding of the New Left, and have been the subject of continuing controversy. Partly because of their rise to prominence during the political turmoil of the sixties, and partly because they draw on traditions rarely studied in the Anglo-American world, the works of these authors are often misunderstood.

In this book David Held provides a much-needed introduction to, and evaluation of, critical theory. He is concerned...

In recent years a remarkable range of new work has been produced dealing with class inequalities, the division of labor, and the state. In these writings scholars previously working in isolation from one another in sociology, economics, political science, and history have found common ground. Much of this work has been influenced by Marxist theory, but at the same time it has involved critiques of established Marxist views, and incorporated ideas drawn from other sources. These developments have until now not been reflected in existing course texts which are often diffusely concerned with...

During the past decade, Anthony Giddens has published a series of substantial volumes that have defined a distinctive and original theoretical approach. The twin focal points of his research are the "theory of structuration" and the analysis of "modernity." Giddens' writing on these and related themes are widely recognized as among the most important contributions to theoretical debate in the social sciences. This is the first book to provide a systematic and critical assessment of Giddens' work. It includes eleven critical essays specially commissioned from contributors who are well known in...

Since the UN's creation in 1945 a vast nexus of global and regional institutions has evolved, surrounded by a proliferation of non-governmental agencies and advocacy networks seeking to influence the agenda and direction of international public policy. Although world government remains a fanciful idea, there does exist an evolving global governance complex - embracing states, international institutions, transnational networks and agencies (both public and private) - which functions, with variable effect, to promote, regulate or intervene in the common affairs of humanity.


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Since the UN's creation in 1945 a vast nexus of global and regional institutions has evolved, surrounded by a proliferation of non-governmental agencies and advocacy networks seeking to influence the agenda and direction of international public policy. Although world government remains a fanciful idea, there does exist an evolving global governance complex - embracing states, international institutions, transnational networks and agencies (both public and private) - which functions, with variable effect, to promote, regulate or intervene in the common affairs of humanity.


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In this volume some of the world's leading analysts of globalization discuss the economic, political and ethical implications of global economic integration. They assess the benefits and the costs of globalization and suggest strategies for reconciling it with the interests and aspirations of the people in all regions of the world.





The contributors understand globalization not as a uniform process that should be praised or condemned in its entirety, but as a complex phenomenon that can and must be shaped and steered towards socially desirable goals....

In this volume some of the world's leading analysts of globalization discuss the economic, political and ethical implications of global economic integration. They assess the benefits and the costs of globalization and suggest strategies for reconciling it with the interests and aspirations of the people in all regions of the world.





The contributors understand globalization not as a uniform process that should be praised or condemned in its entirety, but as a complex phenomenon that can and must be shaped and steered towards socially desirable goals....

This is the fourth volume in the highly acclaimed Global Transformations series. It follows in the footsteps of Global Transformations, The Global Transformations Reader and Governing Globalization. All these volumes have been widely adopted in courses on globalization and global governance across the world, and Globalization Theory will find a place alongside these texts.





This book focuses on elucidating leading theoretical approaches to understanding and explaining globalization, in both its current form and potential future shapes. It is divided...

This is the fourth volume in the highly acclaimed Global Transformations series. It follows in the footsteps of Global Transformations, The Global Transformations Reader and Governing Globalization. All these volumes have been widely adopted in courses on globalization and global governance across the world, and Globalization Theory will find a place alongside these texts.





This book focuses on elucidating leading theoretical approaches to understanding and explaining globalization, in both its current form and potential future shapes. It is divided...