George Ritzer - Globalization

Global flows and structures have now become ubiquitous in everyday experience; they have come to be taken-for-granted. There has also been a generalization of global flows and structures, such that their impact spreads across all levels of society. Four directions of enquiry can be pursued in the analysis of structures and flows – extensiveness, intensiveness, velocity, and impact propensity.

1 Examine the dual role of structures as barriers to, and facilitators of, global flows. Are subtler structural barriers more effective than material barriers?

2 What is the significance of networks in the current age of globalization? Is it possible for networks to act as deterrents or barriers to flows?

3 Do liquids dissolve structures blocking their path, or do they merely circumnavigate them?

4 Discuss the impact of increased liquidity and gaseousness on hierarchical social structures.

5 How are metaphors useful for understanding global processes?

6 In what ways does the concept of intersectionality help us to understand the winners and losers of globalization?

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