Geographies of Globalization (Routledge Contemporary Human Geography)

Globalization is a term that is increasingly used to rationalize a wide range of economic and political processes and explain a plethora of cultural, economic and social processes. Despite this, it is rarely well defined or critically appraised. As both a process and political agenda, it is a theme that has become increasingly pervasive in human geography written in the last 20 years.
"Geographies of Globalization" critically engages with the contested concept of globalization from an explicitly human geographical viewpoint, illustrating how an appreciation of the principles of the discipline is fundamental to understanding this phenomenon. It also analyses the geographical work of non-geographers. Part 1 introduces the concept of globalization, while also discussing various theories and perspectives, drawing out their spatial ramifications and placing them in historical perspective. Part 2 breaks down and analyses the process into overlapping economic, political and socio-economic spheres emphasizing the links and breaks between change in these areas. The environmental impacts of globalization are integrated throughout. Part 3 uses case studies from the UK, USA, Argentina and Mozambique to ground the processes introduced in the previous part. Part 4 draws together the theoretical, historical and empirical analysis in order to reflect on the changing nature of globalization, resistance to it and the implications of this for human geography.
In summarizing and analyzing the major arguments put forward to explain, promote and criticize globalization, the reader is provided with a critical resource through which to make sense of the confusing array of competing perspectives.Boxed sections highlight and explain "key concepts" in a jargon free manner and showcase classic and innovative work by geographers in the field. The book is highly illustrated with figures and photographs, as well as chapter summaries and annotated further reading.