This highly-acclaimed, bestselling textbook, quickly established itself as one of the leading texts on the subject worldwide in its first edition. Now substantially revised and updated, Scholte provides students with a comprehensive introduction to globalization and questions why this phenomenon has occurred, to what extent it changes the world, and whether it is a force for good or ill. Accessibly written by a leading authority both as an academic researcher and a policy consultant, this second edition draws on the author's research in more than twenty countries over five continents. Split into three parts, the text first outlines a critical framework for understanding globalization, before exploring its impact on society, and the key debates surrounding its normative impact.