The fifth volume in a continuing series on Human Security and Global Governance set up by the TODA Institute, this book, edited by Donald Lamberton, focuses on that most misinterpreted of notions: "globalization".
We live, we are told, in a 'global village' (McLuhan), a 'post-industrial' (Bell) 'information society' (Porat). Others have suggested that this is the age of the 'end of history' (Fukuyama). But it can equally be suggested that we live in an increasingly complex world, and that this era might well be characterized as the Age of Regionalization, Nationalization, Localization and Fragmentation. It might equally well be called the 'beginning of history' in which, for the first time, over two-thirds of humanity claims the right to be history's subject and not its object.
But, as Lamberton and his contributors show, even the global village as perceived by the international traveller - with its ubiquitous Coca-Cola, Hiltons and McDonalds - hides a very different reality under the veneer of similitude. Globalization and tribalization, they argue, are two sides of the same coin - 'globalization' is both uniting and dividing the world in entirely new and intricate patterns.
This book looks at the reality beneath the buzzwords on the level of employment, economics and quality of life. It looks, inter alia, at the immense displacement of peoples that has occurred with the sudden emergence of newly wealthy regions; at the worldwide development that has been called Pancapitalism; the role of women in this new global society; and how riches and quality of life can and must be differentiated.
Since its inception in 1996, the TODA Institute has devoted its efforts to working on all issues associated with human society, the individual and peace - both on a domestic and international level. This volume, bringing together prominent scholars from all over the world, represents an important addition to its list, as well as being an immensely valuable achievement in its own right.

Donald Lamberton is Visiting Fellow at the Asia Pacific School of Economics and Management, Australian National University, and Adjunct Professor at the University of Canberra.