American political scientist Manfred B. Steger explains the key dimensions of globalization and how it relates to other cultural, economic, and political aspects of modern society.

Discussions and media reports about world events often include the phrase 'today's globalized world,' but we seldom think about when and how our world became 'globalized.'

Is globalization an all-consuming force that will eventually wipe out cultural differences, or has it brought us more perspectives, freedom, and opportunities?

Manfred B. Steger is an American political scientist, author, and global studies expert who teaches at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.

In this edition of Oxford University Press' Very Short Introductions series, Steger provides an overview of the history, dimensions, and impacts of globalization on modern society.