The Sociology Book

170

P R O C E S S E S O F C H A N G E

H A V E A L T E R E D T H E

R E L A T I O N S B E T W E E N

P E O P L E S A N D C O M M U N I T I E S

DAVID HELD (1951– )

T

he world is becoming

smaller due to the mass

movement of people and

the exchange and flow of products,

ideas, and cultural artifacts.

These changes, suggests British

sociologist David Held, are altering

the way communities and

individuals are interacting and

communicating with one another.

Migration, for example, creates

an intermixing of cultures and

the development of multicultural

societies. People also connect

IN CONTEXT

FOCUS

Globalization

KEY DATES

1960s Canadian media

theorist Marshall McLuhan

claims that the world is

contracting into a “global

village” through technology.

1974 US sociologist Immanuel

Wallerstein publishes The

Modern World-System,

highlighting the social effects

of a global economy.

1993 US sociologist George

Ritzer claims that systematic

methods of production are

influencing the operations of

institutions and corporations

around the world.

2006 German sociologist

Ulrich Beck argues that states

must embrace multilateral

cooperation, transnational

institutions, and cosmopolitan

identities if they are to prosper

in the global age.

Processes of change have altered the relations

between peoples and communities.

Global movements of products, ideas, and people affect...

The world is increasingly interconnected.

...cultures:

values, identities,

and cultural forms

intermix

and evolve.

...politics:

international

organizations and

institutions

influence

national states.

...economics:

capitalism,

financial markets,

and multinational

businesses

expand.