Many authors who discuss the idea of globalization see it as continuing pre-established paths of development of modern societies. Post-modernist writers, by contrast, have lost sight of the importance of historical narrative altogether. Martin Albrow argues that neither group is able to recognize the new era which stares us in the face. A history of the present needs an explicit epochal theory to understand the transition to the Global Age.

When globality displaces modernity there is a general decentering of state, government, economy, culture, and community. Albrow calls for a recasting of the theory of such institutions and the relations between them. He finds an open potential for society to recover its abiding significance in the face of the declining nation state. At the same time a new kind of citizenship is emerging.

This important book will provoke both radicals and conservatives. Its scholarship ranges widely across the social sciences and humanities. It is bound to promote wide cross-disciplinary debate.

About the Author
Martin Albrow, State University of New York Stony Brook

Reviews
'This book deserves particular attention. Martin Albrow's interdisciplinary account of contemporary social change offers provocative insight into the conditions of modernity, globality and the relationships between them. He is sweeping epochal history with profundity. The book is also a joy to read: erudition is presented with engaging eloquence and exemplary lucidity, exceptionally innovative, if your library reserves but a small shelf for works on globalization, this book should be on it.' International Affairs

'Thoughtful, historically well-informed, clearly and indeed elegantly written, this is the book that everyone should read.' Political Studies

'Albrow's thesis is a very interesting one.' Millennium

Book Information
ISBN 9780745611891
Author Martin Albrow
Format Paperback
Page Count 256
Imprint Polity Press
Publisher John Wiley and Sons Ltd
Weight(grams) 369g
Dimensions(mm) 229mm * 154mm * 20mm