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Sociology of the Global System

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This book deals with how to theorize the globalization or, as the author put it, global system. The author raises the question existing theories on global system like the theory of imperialism, modernization, neo-Marxism, dependency, world system or mode of production has tackled the phenomenon properly. His answer is 'no'. He calls attention to who is the main agent of globalizing or global system. TNC is the main agent but existing theories concentrated on nation-state as the unit of analysis. This is the wrong target. There should be another theory on what TNC has caused on global market. To tackle this mission the author divides the phenomenon into 3 spheres: economic, political, cultural-ideological. The example of each spheres is like this: International Labor Division, i.e., the labor market on global level, Transnational Capitalist Class, Consumerism or media hegemony. His taxonomy of global system is interesting especially his conceptualizing of consumerism. He argues that to be consumed, there should be desire to consume it. This should be achieved throu media. Globalized market needs this kind of cultural mechanism. But on the whole, his story is on the surface of phenomenon. It's not theory at all. He enumerates such empirical evidence. But I can't figure out what evidence is for. Personally I think recent theorizing of Arrigh on the theory of world system, is much more systemic and promising.

THIS WONDERFUL BOOK SHOULD BE READ BY ANYONE WITH EVEN A SLIGHT INTEREST IN SOCIOLOGY. I GARRANTEE THAT YOU WILL BE SO INFORMED BY THE end YOU WOULD BE ABLE TO WRITE A PHd ON THIS SUBJECT STRAIGHT AWAY!!!!