Although much has been written on the topic of economic globalization, few volumes examine the social foundations of the global economy in a way that puts power and contestation at the forefront of the analysis. This book addresses this gap by emphasizing the contested social processes that underpin global production chains and financial structures. It demonstrates not only how the uneven effects of global economic integration impact upon workers and communities across the globe, but also how the agency of these individual and collective actors have reciprocal effects that reconfigure the terrain of global capitalism.

Multidisciplinary in its approach, the book brings together an international group of social scientists who share a common interest in providing critical examinations of contemporary globalizations. With perspectives from sociologists, political scientists and political economists, it juxtaposes the examination of global trends with the diverse contexts of specific regions and countries. It features a range of case studies from North and Latin America, Europe, Africa, East and South-East Asia and post-communist Russia to explore the issues surrounding:

• global production chains and the international division of labour
• corporate social responsibility and socially responsible investing
• new forms of labour organizing and internationalism.

It will be of interest to students and researchers in international political economy, the sociology of globalization, development studies, economic geography and labour studies.