Theorizing Globalization. A Critique of the Mediatization of Social Theory.

Theory provides a critical perspective on globalization theory and especially what the author labels the media-centrism of this theoretical paradigm. Ampuja argues that the media-centrism of much globalization theory is closely linked to the fact that too much emphasis is put on the importance of media and communication technology. Or put dif-ferently; due to technological determinism. As a consequence, the arguments of a great deal of globalization theory lack historical reflection and attention to political and social realities as well as to the implicit connections between globalization theory and neoliberal-ist thinking. The book includes six chapters, divided into four sections. After an introductory chap-ter, outlining the arguments of the book, the first section provides useful but also very critical introductions. First, chapter one introduces the academic literature and central theorists on the complex, multidimensional and widespread concept of globalization, the historical development of globalization theory, and its skeptical voices. Summing up, critically but not surprisingly, the author concludes that time-space relations or “intercon-nectedness ” seem to be the key feature characterizing much of globalization theory. On this basis, the second chapter turns to the relations between media theory and globaliza-tion theory, arguing that their boundaries are increasingly blurring. This line of reasoning is developed by briefly outlining well-known arguments from the political economy of the media, cultural studies, and medium theory. These two introductory chapters demonstrat