The Anthropology of Globalization: A Reader (Blackwell Readers in Anthropology)

Rating:
Summary: Disappointing
Review: Characteristic of this reader is the bothersome overlap of topics. It dramatically fails to give insight in theories of globalization itself and the link between these theories and global reality. After studying this reader even experienced students of Anthropology will give anything for something that is less grandiloquent and more useful because of it's simplicity.

Rating:
Summary: Globalization is complex
Review: I disagree with the other reviewers. The study of anthropology often creates more questions than answers--that is why the field intrigues me. As for the reviewer wanting a simpler treatment of the subject... Fine in theory, but globalization is COMPLEX. The introduction of the book offers some themes to observe and asserts that 1) Globalization is not only about passive receivers of global imperialism. 2) Global ideas and products flow in many ways (not just core to the periphery). 3) Many circuits of globalization circumvent the west (or global north). The subsequent chapters then follow these threads.

I come from a critical background (i.e. that globalization is evil), but the examples in the book show that not all aspects of globalization are troubling. As for Appadurai and invention of words... keep giving the chapter another read. The man is simply (complexly?) a beautiful writer.

Rating:
Summary: Creates more questions than answers
Review: I read this book in a "Political and Economic Anthropology" class and found it to be somewhat disappointing. Cultural anthropology, by its very nature, is case study oriented, so it is no surprise that the articles focus on many different places and situations, many of which are interesting to read. However, I think the book failed to pull all the very diverse articles together and come out with a point or thesis for the anthology as a whole.

Throughout much of the reading, even after classroom discussions, I found myself asking "so what's the point?", "what is this book supposed to be teaching me about globalization in general?", "what does this particular article have to say about the broader processes involved with globalization?", etc... The introduction, written by the editors, is a good introduction to the concepts of globalization. The second article by Appadurai is theoretical in nature, but is almost incomprehensible. He uses so much jargon (and even some made-up words) and allusions to other theories that unless you already know what he's trying to say, his article will do little more than frustrate you. The remainder of the articles deal with individual case studies by various researchers.

This anthology contains some interesting articles that give glimpses into how some people and cultures are affected by and interacting with forces of globalization. In that regard, it is pretty good. However, if you are looking for an approachable, theoretical introduction to globalization from an anthropological standpoint which augments it argument with case studies (as oppose to just including them obstensibly for their own sake), you might want to look elsewhere

Rating:
Summary: Creates more questions than answers
Review: I read this book in a "Political and Economic Anthropology" class and found it to be somewhat disappointing. Cultural anthropology, by its very nature, is case study oriented, so it is no surprise that the articles focus on many different places and situations, many of which are interesting to read. However, I think the book failed to pull all the very diverse articles together and come out with a point or thesis for the anthology as a whole.

Throughout much of the reading, even after classroom discussions, I found myself asking "so what's the point?", "what is this book supposed to be teaching me about globalization in general?", "what does this particular article have to say about the broader processes involved with globalization?", etc... The introduction, written by the editors, is a good introduction to the concepts of globalization. The second article by Appadurai is theoretical in nature, but is almost incomprehensible. He uses so much jargon (and even some made-up words) and allusions to other theories that unless you already know what he's trying to say, his article will do little more than frustrate you. The remainder of the articles deal with individual case studies by various researchers.

This anthology contains some interesting articles that give glimpses into how some people and cultures are affected by and interacting with forces of globalization. In that regard, it is pretty good. However, if you are looking for an approachable, theoretical introduction to globalization from an anthropological standpoint which augments it argument with case studies (as oppose to just including them obstensibly for their own sake), you might want to look elsewhere