Globalization is now more than a buzzword, it is all around us. From the richest country to the poorest country, every aspect of life is affected by global economics and communications. Globalization can be a force for equality - more people have access to information that can spread awareness and change lives. But it can also be seen as the embodiment of inequality - the rich world's rabid consumption of resources is at the expense of poor countries, forced to cut costs and corners to compete. This guide condenses this complex world into a clear, concise commentary. It examines the debt trap; the acceleration of neoliberalism and the 'free trade' model; competition for energy resources; the links between the 'war on terror', the arms trade and privatization. And the new final chapter examines civil society alternatives to corporate globalization, including the World Social Forum, Make Poverty History campaign and trade justice initiatives.