About the lecture

In this module, we provide an introduction to globalisation by thinking about some definitions and debates, focusing in particular on: (i) the increased use of ‘globalisation’ as a concept in both academic writing and political discourse from the 1990s onwards; (ii) three definitions of globalisation – interconnectedness per se, a particularly rapid or intense form interconnectedness, and consciousness of interconnectedness – and the strengths and weaknesses of each; (iii) three perspectives on globalisation – hyper-globalism, scepticism, and transformationalism – and the strengths and weaknesses of each; and (iv) the rise of anti-globalisation, first as a left-wing issue and more recently as a right-wing issue, and the reasons in each case.

About the lecturer

Ray Kiely is Professor International Politics at Queen Mary, University of London. His research focuses on conservative thought and practice in the United States and beyond, and how this relates to globalisation. His recent publications include The Neoliberal Paradox (2018), and he is currently working provisionally called Conservative (Anti-)Globalization, which looks at the extent to which the events of 2016 represent a break from neoliberal globalization.