Globalization and Everyday Life

Globalization and Everyday Life provides an accessible account of globalization by developing two themes in particular. First, globalization is an outcome of structural and cultural processes that manifest in different ways in economy, politics, culture and organizations. So the globalized world is increasingly heterogeneous, unequal and conflictual rather than integrated and ordered. Secondly, globalization is sustained and created by the everyday actions of people and institutions. Both of these have far-reaching consequences for everyday life and are fully explored in this volume. Larry Ray skilfully guides students through the various aspects of the globalization debate and illustrates key arguments with reference to specific topics including nation, state and cosmopolitanism, virtual societies, transnationals and development. This innovative book provides this information in a clear and concise manner suitable for the undergraduate student studying sociology, social geography, globalization and development studies.

Introduction: What is Globalization? 1. What’s New About Globalization? 2. Globalization and the Social 3. Beyond the Nation-State? 4. Virtual Sociality 5. Global Inequalities and Everyday Life 6. Global Terrors and Risks. Conclusions

Larry Ray is Professor of Sociology at the University of Kent. His research interests include social theory, globalization, postcommunism, race, ethnicity and violence. Recent books include Social Theory and Postcommunism with William Outhwaite (2005) and Theorizing Classical Sociology (1999).