Is Globalization Civilizing, Destructive or Feeble? A Critique of Five Key Debates in the Social Science Literature

TLDR

Scholars across sociology, economics, politics, and anthropology increasingly focus on globalization, framing it around five key questions about its reality, convergence, impact on nation‑state authority, distinction from modernity, and the emergence of a global culture. The chapter aims to clarify the term globalization, situate it historically, and advocate for a comparative sociology that accounts for local variation, agency, interest, and resistance. Quoted source: Aristotle (384–322 BC) via Dreyer (1953, p.

Abstract

The sociological, economic, political, and anthropological literatures are devoting increasing attention to globalization. This chapter discusses the various connotations of the term and puts it in historical perspective. Existing theoretical and empirical research on globalization is organized around five key issues or questions: Is it really happening? Does it produce convergence? Does it undermine the authority of nation-states? Is globality different from modernity? Is a global culture in the making? A plea is made for a comparative sociology of globalization that is sensitive to local variations and to how agency, interest, and resistance mediate in the relationship between globalization causes and outcomes. The bulk of the earth must not only be spherical, but not large in comparison with the size of other stars. —Aristotle (384–322 BC), as quoted by Dreyer ( 1953 , p. 118)