Subject Area: Politics
This course can also be studied in the following specialisations: Globalisation Studies; International Relations

Over the last twenty years there has been much excitement as well as much angst that we are living through a new stage in world politics, culture and economy. But there is little agreement on what 'globalisation' really means, whether it entails greater political, economic or social connectivity, whether it is really different to the past, and whether globalisation is a good or bad thing. Certainly, the current stage could not have been reached without a long prior history of imperialism, trade, investment and movements of population. Now, as during that history, there are issues of domination, power, injustice, populist protest, and democracy, especially in the wake of the global financial crisis. With that crisis, many see the demise of America and the rise of Asia, along with less Americanisation and Westernisation and more global cultural flows. Soft power and public diplomacy are seen as new ways of conducting international politics. The internet has been a fundamental element of globalisation providing economic connections, an enhanced media environment, a means for surveillance and conflict, and avenues for protest and propaganda.