Globalization and Capitalism

Abstract

Despite globalization being a well-known theme in Giddens’ work, the analysis in Chapter 2 showed that the potential for greater reflexivity and empowerment he ascribes to the time-space dimension of globalization cannot readily be reconciled with bleaker perspectives focused on the economic realm. By resolving this tension, we can ascertain where a politics consistent with Giddens’ utopian realist analysis of late modernity would need to stand on capitalism and the current shape of the global market economy. Having established in the last chapter the basic contours of what such a politics would need to look like to successfully complete the utopian realist project, the task here is to consider this fundamental structuring feature of the present age, to understand its role in Giddens’ analysis and to put flesh on the skeleton of Giddensian politics developed so far. This will enable an assessment of whether Giddens’ own Third Way does in fact present a suitable conclusion to the utopian realist analysis, and will also help us constructively think about emancipatory politics going forward.