A world beyond difference : cultural identity in the age of globalization

A World Beyond Difference unpacks the globalization literature and offers a valuable critique: one that is forthright, yet balanced, and draws on the local work of ethnographers to counter relativist and globalist discourses. Presents a lively conceptual and historical map of how we think about the emerging socio-political world, and above all how we think politically about human cultural differences Interprets, criticizes, and frames responses to world culture Draws from the work of recent major social theorists, comparing them to classical social theorists in an instructive manner Grounds critique of theory in years of ethnographic research A World Beyond Difference unpacks the globalization literature and fills a void by presenting a lively conceptual and historical map of how we think about the emerging socio-political world, and above all how we think politically about human cultural differences. Here is a rare and valuable critique of globalization literature: one that is forthright, yet balanced, and draws on the local work of ethnographers to counter relativist and globalist discourses. Writing for all those interested in issues of globalization, anthropologist Ronald Niezen draws out points from recent major theorists, comparing them to classical social theorists in an instructive manner. Because of its interdisciplinary scope and engaging style, A World Beyond Difference will appeal to nonspecialists as well as finding its way into courses on globalization, cultural theory, history, political science, sociology, and anthropology The Tradition Of Rational Utopianism -- The Cultural Contradictions Of Globalization. Cultural Globalization -- (anti)globalization From Below -- Human Rights Pluralism And Universalism -- Postmodernism's Revolt Against Order -- The New Neo-marxism -- Paradigms Of Postcolonial Liberation. Ronald Niezen. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [179]-212) And Index. This book is about the contest between two intellectual Current attempting to define a global identity, one sometimes referred to as cultural universalism and the other cultural particularism; but unlike most accounts of stark dualisms, it is also about the paradoxes that lead each to occasionally overlap or draw inspiration from the other. Introduction The tradition of rational utopianism The cultural contradictions of globalization (Anti)globalization from below Human rights pluralism and universalism Postmodernism's revolt against order The new neo-Marxism Paradigms of postcolonial liberation Conclusion. Ronald Niezen interprets, criticizes, and frames responses to world culture, presenting a conceptual and historical map of how we think about the emerging socio-political world and how we think politically about human cultural differences