Running Out of Control: Dilemmas of GlobalizationGlobalization is reducing our ability to control our life chances in an increasingly interconnected world. Employing a systems-theory perspective, Hedley contends that although historically humankind has gained increasing control over its fate, the trajectory of control is now on a downward course. Paradoxically, although the primary objectives of modern globalization include greater scale, access, speed, efficiency, and predictability - or in a word, control - Hedley asserts that our greater connectedness leaves humankind more vulnerable to unforeseen risks than many systems independently organized. He produces evidence from the many system failures in the globally connected information and communications infrastructure. With an increasing human population, rising human aspirations, and growing global instability, increased human control from further technological innovation becomes less and less likely. These developments, combined with a finite global eco-environment, make ecological crises potentially more devastating. Hedley concludes by discussing various approaches and strategies to deal with the problems identified. |
Contents
Understanding Globalization | 1 |
BOXES | 8 |
Table 1 | 14 |
1 | 22 |
4 Microbes Fly the Global Skies | 26 |
1 | 34 |
Studying Social Change | 41 |
1 The Technological System versus the Natural System? | 60 |
The Global Ecological Environment | 113 |
1 Our Ecological Footprint | 117 |
3 Major Industrial Disasters | 135 |
5 World Scientists Warning to Humanity | 150 |
Problems and Prospects | 157 |
1 Health before Wealth | 181 |
Notes | 197 |
Bibliography | 203 |
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Common terms and phrases
Accessed achieve Agency American analysis biodiversity capitalist century cessed Chapter complex comprised Consequently control systems convergence theory core cultural lag decades developed countries diversity Earth eco-environment ecological footprint economic ecosystems effects electronic Ellul environmental European European Union example FedEx forces of globalization foreign direct investment genuine progress indicator global development habitat loss human activity human global system humankind impact increasing increasingly individual industrial revolution information and communications infrastructure innovations institutions integrated interdependent Internet Jacques Ellul land living love bug Love Canal major measure ment million modernization and convergence nations natural environment NGOs OECD operating organizations percent periphery perspective planet political pollution predict problems production represents result risk scientists society species structure sustainable Table technical threats tion TNCs trade transnational corporations transportation United urban virus vulnerable waste World Bank world-systems theory world’s population worldwide