ABSTRACT
Globalisation has become one of the key terms in describing and analysing life in the contemporary world. Different authors have focused on different parts of the structures and processes that contribute to global trends and phenomena. There is some disagreement in terms of what should be the primary focus of such studies. Moreover, there remain disputes over the significance and implications of so-called global trends. Hirst et al. (2009) question many of the underpinnings of basic assumptions about globalisation. In particular, they have queried the extent to which current trends are essentially ‘new’. Rather, they ask whether such trends should be seen as an extension of a nascent global economy with historical roots stretching back several centuries. This chapter will consider the manner in which current aspects of globalisation have developed, and continue to evolve, over time. It will also give you a sense of how the theoretical perspectives, outlined in the first section of this book, have addressed the actions and issues associated with globalisation. As such this chapter is the bridge between the earlier theoretical chapters and the following issuebased chapters.
