About the lecture

In this lecture, we think about globalisation and how it relates to the 20th century formation of nation states, focusing in particular on: (i) understanding globalisation as a narrative of the connections between and movement of people, rather than seeking a singular definition; (ii) understanding the narrative of globalisation to define its meaning; (iii) narrating globalisation as the idea that certain nation states hosting ‘native peoples’ have their prosperity threatened by other states, people and/or corporations; (iv) narrating globalisation as a cooperative venture of joining states and people to solve worldwide issues; (v) the transition from empire states to nation states after the second world war, in post-colonial times, as the way to organise international relations; (vi) Anthony Giddens’ typology of three aspects of globalisation, the hyperglobalists, sceptics and transformationalists; (vii) the hyperglobalist position, which posits that transnational corporation economies are no longer tied to the economies of specific nation states; (viii) the sceptic position, which posits that the nation state is still important for deciding policies which shape local economies and regimes; (ix) the transformationalist position, which posits that states and new globalist economies are mutually shaped; (x) Milton Friedman, David Harvey, Walter Rodney and David Held as thinkers and speakers on these positions; (xi) the role of civil society organisations to inform nation states on the treatment of their citizens; (xii) how individuals can play a role in influencing nation state actions, transcending their own citizenship.

About the lecturer

Dr Zaki Nahaboo is a lecturer in sociology in the School of Social Sciences at Birmingham City University. Dr Nahaboo’s research interests are in postcolonial theory and international political sociology. Dr Nahaboo is co-author of the book Migrants, Borders and the European Question: The Calais Jungle (2021). His journal articles have featured in the Cambridge Review of International Affairs, Ethnic and Racial Studies, Interventions and Citizenship Studies.