ABSTRACT
This chapter considers the ways in which globalization might be fostering individualism within advanced industrial societies. The discussion is made more difficult by the lack of consensus over the nature of globalization, with some writers even doubting its existence. Indeed, it is possible to identify three broad approaches to globalization: transformationalist approach, influencing the supply and quality of labour, and the role of government. While each approach provides a distinctive insight, from the perspective of ordinary citizens, globalization would seem to entail that they are going to have to be increasingly entrepreneurial and self-reliant in the future. Whether this is because, as transformationalists maintain, they will have to deal with the risk and uncertainty of changing global economic conditions or, as strong globalizers claim, their governments will be less able to manage their national economies and provide adequately-funded welfare states.
