Sociology in Times of Glocalization

(Hardback)

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

Seminal sociological work has described the world today as a local-global nexus that is defined by localized, often conflictual responses to a series of global flows. Building on this, this book traces the workings and dynamics of todays globalization, and of the different reactions it spurs, across a range of social domains: that is, in localities affected by rapid infrastructural change; in the economic realm and through consumerism; in experiences of migration; in urban settings; in cultural practices such as street art that negotiate both global and local events and phenomena; and in digital technology. Crucially, the book formulates and critically explores the methodological challenges created by such social and political developments. Rather than treating the fundamental question as to how and why sociologists can claim to know more about the social world than the people living it as an abstract issue, this book tackles this through a careful engagement with existing research on globalization, glocalization and neo-nationalism. The result is two-fold: first, the book demonstrates that sociology confronts some profound challenges today; second, the author argues that an increasingly inter-disciplinary sociology is already making vital contributions to our understanding of and responses to todays multiple crises.

Reviews

This is a powerful and subtle book that casts a sharp sociological eye on the interconnections between globalization and local reactions to it, including different populisms and technocratic claims. It is also a powerful meditation on the nature of social science, its responsibilities, and the changes necessary for it to address pressing social issues John Holmwood, Emeritus Professor of Sociology, University of Nottingham.

Written with conceptual sophistication and empirical breadth, Karners illuminating approach to glocalization not only invites the reader to rethink the nature of social sciencein the contemporary world but also produces incisive empirical, normative, and political insights into the most pressing issues of our times Jos Lpez, PhD, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, Canada.

This book provides a thought-provoking and comprehensive engagement with local manifestations of global flows and processes. Globalization is shown to be an ongoingintensification of interconnectedness across various spaces and contexts. Karner succeeds in situating these often abstract global processes within our direct local and personalexperiences. He does so with rich and varied empirical detail, theoretical depth and rigor, and methodological and epistemological creativity and innovation. Dr Bernard Weicht.

This is a must-read book for anyone concerned about the complexity of our world where glocalization involves the coming together of globalization and local contexts. Christian Karner shows us how to use a wide range of methodological approaches to capture the processes and structures that underpin our fragile identities today. Reading this book becomes an excellent intellectual experience. Professor Marek Kamierczak, University of Adam Mickiewicz in Pozna, Poland.

Author Bio

Christian Karner is Professor of Sociology at the University of Lincoln. His expertise includes the sociology of ethnicity, nationalism and globalization, as well as memory studies.