Globalization: A Basic Text

by George Ritzer

The first full-scale textbook of its kind, "Globalization: A Basic Text" provides a balanced introduction to the major topics in globalization studies. Written in a highly accessible style, and drawing on sources both academic and popular, the book adopts a definition of globalization that emphasizes transplanetary flows and the structures that both expedite and impede those flows.

Driven by a range of theories from imperialism and Americanization (and anti-Americanism), to neo-liberalism and the neo-Marxian alternatives, as well the major types of cultural theory, the book examines the key events in the history of globalization, and the principle flows and structures produced in the course of that history. Among the major topics covered are the economy, culture, technology, media and the Internet, migration, the environment, global inequalities, and the future of globalization.

Making extensive use of maps and with a glossary of key terms, this book offers the reader not only a descriptive, but also a critical, analysis of globalization.

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics, Sociology, History

608 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2009

About the author

George Ritzer is Distinguished University Professor at the University of Maryland. He has named at Distinguished-Scholar Teacher at Maryland and received the American Sociological Association’s Distinguished Contribution to Teaching Award. Among his academic awards are an Honorary Doctorate from La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia; Honorary Patron, University Philosophical Society, Trinity College, Dublin; and the 2012-2013 Robin William Lectureship from the Eastern Sociological Society. He has chaired four Sections of the American Sociological Association- Theoretical Sociology, Organizations and Occupations, first Chair of Global and Transnational Sociology, and the History of Sociology.
His books have been translated into over twenty languages, with over a dozen translations of The McDonaldization of Society alone.

Reviews

[Ramil Kazımov · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though it is just an introduction to globalization this only tome really offer thr best explanation for every part of globalization. Enjoyed it and offer it to everybody who are keen on learning wtf globalization

[Carey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes, this is a textbook. But I read the whole damn thing and enjoyed most of it. And it took time away from my leisure reading so it counts toward my challenge. Fight me.

Anyway, I read this text for a course in Globalization of Information for my MLIS. This book isn't specifically geared toward librarians so it was a beautiful breath of fresh air. It breaks down history, theory, and practice into mostly digestible information. It made me look at several aspects of our world very differently. It taught me things I didn't already know. My one realistic complaint is that it is dense AF in terms of information and layout. It was hard to absorb more than a chapter in a single sitting. Also, the text seriously needs to be broken up. Every page was a wall of words. So I'm basically complaining that there weren't more pictures. My one unrealistic complaint is that this edition was published before Trump and Brexit and some of the projected ways in which the authors (and sources they cited) thought the world would end up working are terribly wrong and I couldn't help but take my pen and write things like "HAHAHAHAHAHAHA" or "holy fuck" in the margins. But that's not the book's fault. Anyway, I liked this. If you end up having to read this for a class, it's actually pretty good.

[Megan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I know textbooks aren't exactly meant to be compelling reads, but this was the worst textbook I had my first term by far. It's so incredibly dry and wordy it's hard to even get through a paragraph as someone who enjoys reading and is interested in the concepts.

[Sofia Wigren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Generally a decent textbook and relatively easy as an introduction. However, it's a lot of text without meaning, just to fill it out.

[Tori · Rating 3 out of 5]

highly depressing pandemic-quarantine reading