Date of Award

2005

Document Type

Thesis

Department

Sociology

Abstract

In the past few decades, a significant body of rhetoric and research has been devoted to the subject of "globalization", referring to an accelerating interconnectedness of the world, and its subsequent multidimensional effects upon the societal landscape. Globalization is changing the way that space and place are conceived, along with the way that power operates within it. Technological advances, especially in communications and transportation, the liberalization of world markets, and the rise of transnational corporations and multilateral financial institutions, have all been important factors contributing to a vast restructuring of the globe. The opening of all the doors in the house, so to speak, has provided an open space that is often framed by globalization's proponents in optimistic terms surrounding ideals of expanding "opportunity." For many so-called "third-world" countries, however, such concepts often have a bitter meaning. Contrary to the popular assumptions which are continually pouring out contemptuous pity, these nations do not suffer simply as a result of falling short of their "potential for global competitiveness." They fall victim, rather, to the new opportunities eagerly seized--just as they were promoted--by the privileged classes of a global capitalist economy.

Download

Share

COinS