ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a series of snapshots taken from a sociological tour of popular culture destinations around the globe. It aims to extend our sociological analysis of the relationship between popular culture and identity to the global level. The magic that young Harry Potter possesses, and learns to hone during his studies at Hogwarts Academy of Witchcraft and Wizardry, would seem at first glance to be particularly British, drawing on the lore of Celts and other tribes who shaped the history of the British Isles. Globalization is often discussed primarily in economic terms, with a focus on massive global conglomerations that have become so powerful they appear to supersede state powers. But globalization also has political and cultural dimensions that overlap with economic factors. Estimating the global population of racial categories is especially problematic. Harry Potter is at once both an inspirational boy hero and "the centerpiece of a global corporate strategy".
