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William I. RobinsonWilliam I. Robinson
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Global Capitalism and the Crisis of Humanity Kindle Edition
by William I. Robinson (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars (30)
This exciting new study provides an original and provocative exposé of the crisis of global capitalism in its multiple dimensions - economic, political, social, ecological, military, and cultural. Building on his earlier works on globalization, William I. Robinson discusses the nature of the new global capitalism, the rise of a globalized production and financial system, a transnational capitalist class, and a transnational state and warns of the rise of a global police state to contain the explosive contradictions of a global capitalist system that is crisis-ridden and out of control. Robinson concludes with an exploration of how diverse social and political forces are responding to the crisis and alternative scenarios for the future.
Review
'Robinson is one of the most prominent thinkers about global capitalism and transnational capitalist class theory, and his new work is challenging and vitally important … In fact, the work is essential reading for all those who want to understand contemporary capitalism and are concerned with the fate of our planet. In other words, everyone should read this book.' Jerry Harris, Race and Class
'This is a welcome update of William I. Robinson's theory of global capitalism. In the current debates over the deepening of inequality, the persistence of stagnation, and the slide toward oligarchy throughout the industrialized world, Robinson's perspective is essential.' Craig N. Murphy, Research Professor, Department of Conflict Resolution, Human Security, and Global Governance, McCormack Graduate School and Co-Director, Center for Governance and Sustainability, University of Massachusetts, Boston
'William I. Robinson has written an outstanding, gripping, and comprehensive look at the reorganization of global capitalism and its implications - potential and actual - for the masses of the world's people. Not only does this book suggest a unique and provocative way of understanding today's global capitalism, with the rise of a transnational capitalist class, but it also offers insights into the challenges that must be undertaken in order to construct a strategy for a fundamental social transformation to rescue this planet and its inhabitants from the dangers derived from a very toxic capitalism. This book spoke to the questions with which I have been grappling, and it spoke in clear and direct terms. I could not more strongly recommend this book.' Bill Fletcher, Jr, writer/activist; coauthor of Solidarity Divided; and author of 'They're Bankrupting Us': And 20 Other Myths about Unions
'William I. Robinson's critique of global managerial and corporate rulers on geopolitical, economic, and ecological grounds is tightly argued, convincing, and urgently needed. Looking at it from the vantage point of BRICS debates, his contribution is a welcome corrective to those anticipating a rebalanced world or even an anti-imperialist project - for instead, he describes a deepening crisis of globalized capitalism. It is impossible not to conclude that, as does Robinson, 'only mass movements can generate counterdefinitions of the global order and its crisis'.' Patrick Bond, Senior Professor, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
'Robinson decisively documents the fragmentation of production in the new global capitalism in which labor, design, manufacturing, assembly, and shipping-once localized processes occurring in a single factor-have been broken down into their own industries and are carried out all over the world … The index is excellent, and the book is recommended for those seeking an alternative view of the evolving, market-based, global political economy … Summing up: recommended.' I. Walter, Choice
'In this thoughtful and informative study, William I. Robinson carries forward the theory of global capitalism that he has presented in earlier work, applying it to the severe crises of an unprecedented moment of human history, when decisions directly affect the prospects for decent survival. The perspective that he develops is a most valuable one, broadly researched and carefully analyzed, addressing issues of utmost importance.' Noam Chomsky, Institute Professor (retired), Massachusetts Institute of Technology
'Building upon decades of work, William Robinson's Global Capitalism and the Crisis of Humanity is at once a theoretical summa and an attuned take on the bumpiness - to put it lightly - of our contemporary moment.' Christopher Taylor, American Journal of Sociology
'In this wide-ranging book, William I. Robinson offers a compelling analysis of the recent turns in global capitalism. Moving from the local to the global with grace and conviction, Robinson traces the mutations in contemporary capitalism, showing how they have led to the rise of a truly globalized capitalist class and state apparatus. He argues convincingly for the obsolescence of traditional political economic categories in the face of these changes and presents a robust alternative framework, of which he is undoubtedly one of the leading proponents. And perhaps most importantly, he urges us to realize the moral and ethical stakes in this endeavor. This is a work of profound importance for all students of contemporary political economy.' Vivek Chibber, New York University
'Those readers who are searching for an explanation of the recent electoral results in places as dissimilar as Austria and the Philippines, not to mention the ongoing U.S. primary presidential contest, will surely find this book captivating. … Readers trying to make sense of local and national political, economic, and military developments anywhere in our planet will [also] benefit from the global capitalism framework presented in this book.' Aldo Caliari, Academic Council on the United Nations System (www.acuns.org)
About the Author
William I. Robinson is a Professor of Sociology at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he is also affiliated with the Latin American and Iberian Studies Program and with the Global and International Studies Program. He has previously published seven books, among them, the award-winning Promoting Polyarchy (Cambridge, 1996), A Theory of Global Capitalism (2004), and the award-winning Latin America and Global Capitalism (2008). He has published some fifty articles in academic journals such as Sociological Forum, Theory and Society, International Studies Review, International Sociology, Cambridge Review of International Affairs, International Relations, Global Society, Globalizations, Race and Class, New Political Economy, Third World Quarterly, and Radical Philosophy and hundreds of essays, books chapters, and articles in the popular press. He is a member of the editorial board of fifteen academic journals. In 2013 Robinson was elected chair of the Political Economy of the World-System section of the American Sociological Association (ASA). He is a member of the ASA, the Latin American Studies Association, the Global Studies Association, and the International Studies Association. He was a founding writer for and editor of Pensamiento Propio, a monthly journal of the Coordinadora Regional de Investigaciones Economicas y Sociales.
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Global Capitalism and the Crisis of Humanity
Publisher : Cambridge University Press
Accessibility : Learn more
Publication date : 28 July 2014
Language : English
File size : 1.3 MB
Print length : 256 pages
ISBN-13 : 978-1316053089
Page Flip : Enabled
Topic : Critique of capitalism
Customer Reviews:
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars (30)
About the author
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William I. Robinson
William I. Robinson is distinguished professor of sociology, global studies, and Latin American studies at the University of California at Santa Barbara. His professional page is http://www.soc.ucsb.edu/faculty/robinson/. His FaceBook blog page is https://www.facebook.com/WilliamIRobinsonSociologist. His twitter account is @w_i_robinson
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Customer reviews
4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
30 global ratings
Top reviews from other countries
DaleO
5 out of 5 stars
Interesting ideas, a bit jargon-ish, but worth reading
Reviewed in the United States on 30 November 2015
Format: Kindle
Verified Purchase
A lot of interesting ideas are expressed in this book, about the current conditions of global capitalism. The book essentially presents the thesis that global capitalism has morphed into something called trans-national capitalism, or is in the process of doing so. In this new phase, the elites around the world's money and interests are so intermingled that national capitalisms (e.g. U.S. capitalism or capitalist class) have been superseded by this new form. However, the state forms and institutions have not evolved so there is tension between these two factors. The rest of us struggle along, our interests no longer well served by the state or the economic system. There's a lot more, but that gives the flavor of it.
Report
Ginger Goodwin
3 out of 5 stars
Intersting, but very academic
Reviewed in Canada on 9 June 2016
Format: Paperback
Verified Purchase
A very interesting thesis about the development of an supranational ruling class but written in a very academic, hard to read style.
Report
David Maslow
5 out of 5 stars
which can be annoying. What has happened in the world since this ...
Reviewed in the United States on 23 May 2016
Format: Paperback
Verified Purchase
Clear message about the global capitalist overclass. Critical to understand this as context for understanding everything that's going on, to know what we are up against and to act in response, on small and large scales. Pity the writing is academic, to the point of opacity in parts....requires rereading sentences, which can be annoying. What has happened in the world since this was written vindicates his point of view. Robinson is way ahead of his critics.
Report
Mary Olson
3 out of 5 stars
Needs editing
Reviewed in the United States on 30 January 2022
Format: Paperback
Verified Purchase
I wish the author had spent more time outlining the positions on issues and less time telling the reader why his positions were the right ones. This continual focus interfered with the readability of the text
Report
Arnold P.
5 out of 5 stars
Great introduction to Robinson's work.
Reviewed in the United States on 20 January 2015
Format: Paperback
Verified Purchase
I just started the book and therefore cannot write a thoughtful review (I will, later). However, in the meanwhile, I cannot contain my excitement.
Report
See more reviews
Publisher : Cambridge University Press
Accessibility : Learn more
Publication date : 28 July 2014
Language : English
File size : 1.3 MB
Print length : 256 pages
ISBN-13 : 978-1316053089
Page Flip : Enabled
Topic : Critique of capitalism
Customer Reviews:
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars (30)
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Follow
William I. Robinson
William I. Robinson is distinguished professor of sociology, global studies, and Latin American studies at the University of California at Santa Barbara. His professional page is http://www.soc.ucsb.edu/faculty/robinson/. His FaceBook blog page is https://www.facebook.com/WilliamIRobinsonSociologist. His twitter account is @w_i_robinson
Rate today's book shopping experience
Customer reviews
4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
30 global ratings
Top reviews from other countries
DaleO
5 out of 5 stars
Interesting ideas, a bit jargon-ish, but worth reading
Reviewed in the United States on 30 November 2015
Format: Kindle
Verified Purchase
A lot of interesting ideas are expressed in this book, about the current conditions of global capitalism. The book essentially presents the thesis that global capitalism has morphed into something called trans-national capitalism, or is in the process of doing so. In this new phase, the elites around the world's money and interests are so intermingled that national capitalisms (e.g. U.S. capitalism or capitalist class) have been superseded by this new form. However, the state forms and institutions have not evolved so there is tension between these two factors. The rest of us struggle along, our interests no longer well served by the state or the economic system. There's a lot more, but that gives the flavor of it.
Report
Ginger Goodwin
3 out of 5 stars
Intersting, but very academic
Reviewed in Canada on 9 June 2016
Format: Paperback
Verified Purchase
A very interesting thesis about the development of an supranational ruling class but written in a very academic, hard to read style.
Report
David Maslow
5 out of 5 stars
which can be annoying. What has happened in the world since this ...
Reviewed in the United States on 23 May 2016
Format: Paperback
Verified Purchase
Clear message about the global capitalist overclass. Critical to understand this as context for understanding everything that's going on, to know what we are up against and to act in response, on small and large scales. Pity the writing is academic, to the point of opacity in parts....requires rereading sentences, which can be annoying. What has happened in the world since this was written vindicates his point of view. Robinson is way ahead of his critics.
Report
Mary Olson
3 out of 5 stars
Needs editing
Reviewed in the United States on 30 January 2022
Format: Paperback
Verified Purchase
I wish the author had spent more time outlining the positions on issues and less time telling the reader why his positions were the right ones. This continual focus interfered with the readability of the text
Report
Arnold P.
5 out of 5 stars
Great introduction to Robinson's work.
Reviewed in the United States on 20 January 2015
Format: Paperback
Verified Purchase
I just started the book and therefore cannot write a thoughtful review (I will, later). However, in the meanwhile, I cannot contain my excitement.
Report
See more reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
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liv
63 reviews
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December 4, 2025
so true globalization transnational capitalist class new wave of primitive accumulation 1990s 2008 global neo fascism yasssss
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Nemanja
14 reviews
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July 3, 2020
William Robinson's theory of global capitalism breaks away from nation-state centric approach (in which nation-states compete between each other in order to secure more favourable conditions to their national bourgeoisie and capital), to a perspective which analyses transnational relations of capital and its owners, forming a transnational capitalist class (TCC) faction within the world bourgeoisie. Directly connected to TCC, he analyses the formation of supranational institutions which regulate the capital accumulation on the world scale, that he terms transnational state (TNS). In his argument, the competition between nation-states is substituted by the competition between different groups within TCC.
Robinson's perspective adapts very well to the current international relations, and provides a solid analytical tool to understand the outcomes.
There are a few drawbacks:
- Robinson's theory is convincing as it is backed by empirical work for his main argument, however some arguments are not well backed such as the claim that technology tends to move to Global South–quite the opposite is claimed to be what sustains the increased value-added bit of the core transnational corporations (TNC), which in turns determines how the created value is distributed over the value chain, etc.
- The counterpart of TCC is, clearly, proletariat but that aspect is under-theorised. The relationship between the TCC and the producers of value the TCC is essential to show how the accumulation works.
- Sadly, when Robinson does give an explanation, he focuses mainly on USA in-spite of the fact that his approach is non nation-state centric and meant to be worldwide.
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Dawn Matarese
10 reviews
3 followers
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July 11, 2016
I kind of hated the first half of this book because I was really impatient about listening to him argue with his critics. If you're like me, skip to the second half--I.e. Chapter 4 on. I learned a lot about the significance and reasons for globalization and financialization.
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