Sociology in Times of Glocalization

Christian Karner author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Anthem Press

Published:8th Nov '22

Should be back in stock very soon

Sociology in Times of Glocalization cover

Offers a series of critical discussions of how sociology is responding to the challenges of globalization, to local counter-reactions to them, to the many ways ‘the global’ impacts our lives, and to the new questions about research this poses.

Seminal sociological work has described the world today as a ‘local-global nexus’ that is defined by localized, often conflictual responses to a series of ‘global flows’. Building on this, this book traces the workings and dynamics of today’s globalization, and of the different reactions it spurs, across a range of social domains: that is, in localities affected by rapid infrastructural change; in the economic realm and through consumerism; in experiences of migration; in urban settings; in cultural practices such as street art that negotiate both global and local events and phenomena; and in digital technology. Crucially, the book formulates and critically explores the methodological challenges created by such social and political developments. Rather than treating the fundamental question as to how and why sociologists can claim to know more about the social world than the people ‘living it’ as an abstract issue, this book tackles this through a careful engagement with existing research on globalization, glocalization and neo-nationalism. The result is two-fold: first, the book demonstrates that sociology confronts some profound challenges today; second, the author argues that an increasingly inter-disciplinary sociology is already making vital contributions to our understanding of – and responses to – today’s multiple crises. 

“This is a powerful and subtle book that casts a sharp sociological eye on the interconnections between globalization and local reactions to it, including different populisms and technocratic claims. It is also a powerful meditation on the nature of social science, its responsibilities, and the changes necessary for it to address pressing social issues” —John Holmwood, Emeritus Professor of Sociology, University of Nottingham.


“Written with conceptual sophistication and empirical breadth, Karner’s illuminating approach to glocalization not only invites the reader to rethink the nature of social science in the contemporary world but also produces incisive empirical, normative, and political insights into the most pressing issues of our times” —José López, PhD, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, Canada.


“This book provides a thought-provoking and comprehensive engagement with local manifestations of global flows and processes. Globalization is shown to be an ongoing intensification of interconnectedness across various spaces and contexts. Karner succeeds in situating these often abstract global processes within our direct local and personal experiences. He does so with rich and varied empirical detail, theoretical depth and rigor, and methodological and epistemological creativity and innovation.” —Dr Bernard Weicht.


“This is a must-read book for anyone concerned about the complexity of our world where glocalization involves the coming together of globalization and local contexts. Christian Karner shows us how to use a wide range of methodological approaches to capture the processes and structures that underpin our fragile identities today. Reading this book becomes an excellent intellectual experience.” —Professor Marek Kaźmierczak, University of Adam Mickiewicz in Poznań, Poland.


Karner employs his vast reading and knowledge to demonstrate the value of a glocalization approach to the flow of finances, commodities, the development of urbanization, and immigration. Chapter 4, on immigration, is a gem and certainly relevant to the worldwide movement of populations.--CHOICE

ISBN: 9781785274121

Dimensions: 229mm x 153mm x 26mm

Weight: 454g

210 pages