The Globalization of Nothing

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Issue Date
2002-04-01Author
Ritzer, George
Ryan, Michael
Publisher
Department of Sociology, University of Kansas
Type
Article
Rights
Copyright (c) Social Thought and Research. For rights questions please contact Editor, Department of Sociology, Social Thought and Research, Fraser Hall, 1415 Jayhawk Blvd, Lawrence, KS 66045.
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In this essay, we will argue that we are witnessing the globalization of nothing. Note that we are not arguing that globalization is nothing; indeed it is clear that the process is of enormous significance. Rather, the argument is, using a term borrowed from Weber, that there is an elective affinity between globalization and nothing. That is, one does not cause the other, but they do tend to vary together. Thus, globalization tends to involve the spread of nothing throughout the world. Of course, what is pivotal is the meaning of nothing.
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Citation
Social Thought and Research, Volume 25, Number 1&2 (2002), pp. 51-81 http://dx.doi.org/10.17161/STR.1808.5191
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