What is the role of states in the history of globalisation? How have strong states and empires shaped global connections over the past two centuries? Does globalisation need ‘a centre’ or strong power? And have Britain, the US and China provided such a strong power over time? Or should we endorse instead Huntington’s idea of a clash of civilizations?

1. Key Readings

Work in groups of 2 or 3 and select one of the readings. You will be in charge of leading the discussion:

Eric Hobsbawm, Globalisation, Democracy and Terrorism (London: Abacus, 2007), ch. 3 ‘Why American Hegemony Differs from Britain’s Empire’ pp. 49-72 and Part 2

Samuel Huntington, “The Clash of Civilizations?” Foreign Affairs, 72/3(1993), pp. 22-49.*

Julian Go, Patterns of Empire: The British and American Empires, 1688 to the Present (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2012), ‘Introduction’, pp. 1-27 and ch. 4 ‘Imperial Forms, Global Fields’, pp. 132-163. / Part 2 / Part 3 

James Fulcher, “Globalisation, the Nation‐state and Global Society,” Sociological Review, 48/4 (2000), pp. 522-543.*

Important: All of you should read at least 3 of these 4 pieces.

2. Online resources

Post on the course forum references to online resources that consider the role of states and/or empires in the history of globalisation.