Globalization and the Human Factor: Critical Insights

Since the 1980s, the world has experienced an unprecedented push towards economic, political, social, cultural, financial and technological integration. This integration is a key element of the process of globalization. Much of this revolves around the tensions and conflicts inherent in globalization with emphasis on political economy but at the expense of the human factor (HF), which places people at the centre of all discussions about globalization. This volume brings the HF into the debate and examines to what extent this hitherto marginalized concept holds the key to providing a holistic understanding and contestation of globalization. The volume develops a distinct concept or framework of the human factor; examines the role and significance in global change from an interdisciplinary perspective; analyzes the extent and significance in contemporary globalization discourse; and provokes further debate about the unresolved disputes surrounding globalization. The account will help readers navigate the 'minefields' of the globalization debate.

Table of Contents:
Introduction: the globalization-development debate: the need for a paradigm shift, E.O.K. Prempeh, Joseph Mensah and Senyo Adjibolosoo. Conceptualizing Globalization and the Human Factor: Globalization and the human factor: some preliminary observations, E. Osei Kwadwo Prempeh; Tapping into and benefiting from the forces and agents of globalization: creating an integrated vehicle for global participation and gainsharing, Senyo Adjibolosoo. Globalization, the Human Factor and Cultural Identities: Integrating culture in globalization and development theory: a human factor approach, Joseph Mensah; African culture and the social implications and consequences of globalization, Victor Ngonidzashe Muzvidziwa; Globalization and diversity in the tourism industry: a human factor, Francis Adbu-Febiri. Globalization, the Human Factor and Science and Technology: National agricultural research systems, the biotechnology revolution and agricultural development, Korbla P. Puplampu; Globalization, disporization and cyber-communities: exploring African transnationalism, Wisdom J. Tettey; Human factor decay, American exceptionalism, and the exclusion of women and minorities from science and science-driven globalization, Randy Moore. Globalization, the Human Factor, Democracy and Governance: Globalization, governance and the human factor, E. Osei Kwadwo Prempeh; Democracy as political counterpart to globalization: wither the Human factor?, E. Osei Kwadwo Prempeh; Index.