Global Shift: Mapping the Changing Contours of the World Economy

Summary

In this excerpt, Peter Dicken, an economic geographer and professor at the University of Manchester, delves into his book *Global Shift*, exploring the complex and evolving nature of globalization. Over 30 years of research, he challenges common myths about globalization, emphasizing its multidimensional, uneven impacts on societies. Dicken outlines the core principles of his approach, including the need for grounded, critical analysis, understanding long-term global processes, and unpacking the ideological and political dimensions of globalization. He also addresses the ongoing global economic crisis, its effects on inequality, and the shifting economic landscapes, using real-world examples to highlight his arguments.

Takeaways

• 😀 Peter Dick is an economic geographer and professor at the University of Manchester, with over 30 years of experience studying globalization.
• 🌍 *Global Shift* is a book that explores globalization and its evolving impacts, focusing on how the global economy has shifted over time.
• 📚 The book aims to separate the hype from the reality of globalization, offering a grounded, critical perspective on the topic.
• 💡 One of the core principles of *Global Shift* is that globalization must be understood through a combination of empirical observation and engagement with theoretical, ideological, and political issues.
• ⏳ The book emphasizes the importance of understanding globalization in the context of long-term economic changes, rather than being swayed by short-term trends or predictions.
• 🔄 Globalization is a complex, interlocking set of processes (economic, political, social) that operate unevenly over time and space, affecting different regions and populations in varied ways.
• ❌ *Global Shift* challenges common myths about globalization, such as the belief that the world is flat, that global corporations rule the world, or that globalization is universally positive.
• 📉 The 2008 financial crisis, marked by the collapse of Lehman Brothers, had profound and ongoing global economic repercussions, leading to widespread unemployment, income inequality, and social unrest.
• 📊 *Global Shift* is organized into four parts: 1) Shifting global economic patterns, 2) Processes shaping those patterns, 3) The impact of these processes on people and places, and 4) Sectoral case studies.
• 🏭 Part four of the book focuses on sectoral case studies from various industries, including mineral extraction, agriculture, manufacturing, and advanced business services, to illustrate how globalization processes vary across different contexts.

Q & A

What is the main focus of Peter Dick's work and his book *Global Shift*?

Peter Dick is an economic geographer who has been studying globalization for over 30 years. His book *Global Shift* focuses on the phenomenon of globalization, exploring its complexities and its impact on the global economy, while aiming to separate hype from reality and offer a grounded perspective on the subject.

What does Peter Dick argue about the term 'globalization'?

Peter Dick points out that 'globalization' has become a common term used indiscriminately to describe various trends without distinguishing between what is important and what is trivial. He references Susan Strange's critique, which suggests that the term is often used by 'woolly thinkers' who fail to critically assess its causes and consequences.

What are the five key principles that Peter Dick uses in his analysis of globalization?

The five principles are: 1) An approach grounded in the real world, not based on anecdotes or floating abstractions; 2) Engagement with theoretical, ideological, and political issues; 3) Understanding the long-term processes of global economic change, not just reacting to immediate events; 4) Recognizing the complexity and unevenness of globalization; 5) Challenging popular myths about globalization, such as the ideas that the world is flat, global corporations rule, and globalization is always good or bad.

How does Peter Dick address the financial crisis of 2008 in *Global Shift*?

Peter Dick discusses the 2008 financial crisis as a pivotal event that reshaped the global economy. He emphasizes its profound and ongoing impact, such as plummeting economic growth in the developed world, rising unemployment, growing inequality, and social tensions, exemplified by movements like Occupy Wall Street.

What are the key themes in the first part of *Global Shift*?

The first part of *Global Shift* focuses on the shifting contours of the global economic map. It examines how the geographical center of gravity in the global economy is continually reshaped by various forces, providing an empirical description of the ongoing changes in global economic power.

What does part two of *Global Shift* explore?

Part two of *Global Shift* looks at the processes that create the patterns observed in the global economic map. It delves into the complex interactions between actors, institutions, and processes that shape global economic networks, such as transnational corporations, technological innovations, and state regulations.

What is the focus of part three in *Global Shift*?

Part three of *Global Shift* focuses on the impact of globalization. It explores how the processes discussed in part two affect people and places, particularly the uneven distribution of benefits and costs, and the dynamics between states and transnational corporations (TNCs) as they negotiate power and value in the global economy.

What does Peter Dick mean by the concept of 'winning and losing' in the global economy?

Peter Dick's concept of 'winning and losing' refers to the unequal outcomes of globalization. While some regions and people benefit from global economic integration, others face negative consequences such as job loss, environmental degradation, and increased inequality. He highlights the tension between transnational corporations and states in determining who gets to capture value in global production networks.

How does part four of *Global Shift* illustrate the diversity of globalization?

Part four of *Global Shift* examines six industry cases to demonstrate how globalization processes operate differently across sectors. These cases range from primary industries like mineral extraction and agriculture to advanced business services such as financial and logistical services. The goal is to show both variation and commonality in how globalization impacts different sectors.

What does Peter Dick mean by 'creative destruction' in the context of globalization?

Peter Dick refers to 'creative destruction' as the process by which new technologies and innovations disrupt existing industries and economic structures. This concept explains how globalization and technological advancements can lead to the collapse of old industries while simultaneously creating new ones, often with unpredictable outcomes.