Global Exposure in East Asia: A Comparative Study of Microglobalization

by Ming-Chang Tsai

Overview

In contrast to speculative, sweeping literature on globalization Global Exposure in East Asia grounds globalization theories in a detailed empirical analysis, providing a systematic investigation of what until now have been grand narratives of huge global phenomena. This book presents a micro-level explanation of globalization by examining individual global exposure and its influence in the values and perceptions of individuals, contending that individual and personal global experience, or 'microglobalization', is a key variable in understanding how modern mobile persons act and think in ways different from those who remain geographically immobile and constrained. Drawing on detailed empirical evidence from China, Japan, Taiwan and South Korea, Global Exposure in East Asia explores the structures of global exposure and their influences on values and identities in contemporary East Asia. A rich, comparative and grounded examination of modern theories of globalization, this book introduces an innovative perspective that highlights the significance of microglobalization in understanding quotidian lives in a context of ever expanding transnational exchanges and connectivities. As such, it will appeal to social scientists with interests in globalization, cosmopolitanism, mobility, migration and transnationalism, (national) identity and everyday life.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781317127833
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	03/09/2016
Series:	Global Connections
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	208
File size:	9 MB

About the Author

Ming-Chang Tsai is Research Fellow at the Research Center for Humanities and Social Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taiwan.

Table of Contents

Global Exposure in East Asia

Editorial Reviews

’The rise of East Asia has long been studied at the macro-structural level, but in this important book Ming-Chang Tsai turns his more anthropological lens on the micro-level interactions that are transforming the people themselves. By empirically examining what he terms "global exposure" - a highly stratified system of cross-border contacts with other cultures - Professor Tsai is able to make fine-grained distinctions about globalization's effects on citizens from China, Taiwan, Japan and South Korea, based on such differences as social class, country of origin, and the degree of cross-cultural contact.’ Richard P. Appelbaum, University of California, Santa Barbara, USA ’Ming-Chang Tsai's theme is global exposure in everyday life. Starting out from Michael Billig's influential notion of banal nationalism, the volume provides rich insight into what we might call banal globalism. In its empirical and regional focus, and in its emphasis upon the effects of globalization at the level of the individual and experience, this is a welcome counterweight to much of the literature on globalization, which often tends towards abstraction, and even speculation. Empirically informed and carefully researched, this volume will appeal to students of East Asia and globalization scholars alike.’ Alan Scott, University of Innsbruck, Austria and University of New England, Australia ’Scholars interested in the complex connections between global exposure and national cultures and societies will want to read this fine book by Ming-Chang Tsai. Nicely focussed on four countries of East Asia, the detailed empirical analyses and engaging discussion will be of interest to Asia specialists as well as comparative social scientists anywhere.’ Leslie Laczko, University of Ottawa, Canada

From the Publisher