ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book inserts the human factor into the debate, and argues that this hitherto marginalized concept holds one of the keys to providing a holistic understanding and contestation of globalization. It draws attention to the economic globalization thesis' focus on a narrow set of issues, its technical approach, and the fact that it pays too much attention to the perceived efficiency of the self-regulating market. The book focuses on how particular human variables shape by specific phenomena within the context of globalization. It sets the intellectual and theoretical foundation for this critical engagement between globalization and the human factor (HF) in bold, maybe controversial terms. The book brings the HF into the debate and points out that this marginalized concept offers fresh new insights into the globalization - development debate. It discusses the science and technology implications of globalization.
