Global Control: Information Technology and Globalization Since 1845

by Peter McMahon

Global Control aims to achieve a clearer understanding of the long process of globalization by focusing on the crucial role of information and control technologies. Information systems and control technologies are key to globalization and, while generally facilitating the overall trend to spatial reorganization, they also effect change through the pervasive influence of 'internal systems logic'. Thus, the author argues, the dominant institutions of states, firms and markets transform global development and are themselves transformed by key information technologies. More specifically the book identifies the key phases of modern globalization and analyses the crucial role played by different information technologies at each point in time. Peter McMahon uses theory in political economy with writing on technological developments, and also combines cutting edge theory with historical evidence which provides a new explanation of the last two and a half centuries of global development. This unique book will be of great interest to academics and researchers of political economy, globalization, innovation and science as well as international business scholars.

200 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Peter McMahon is an award-winning science journalist who has worked for CTV.ca, Discovery Channel.ca, written for The Toronto Star, the kids publication YES Mag, CAA online magazine, and written science features for such magazines as Canadian Geographic and Today’s Parent.

In February of 2010, he covered health science stories at the Vancouver Winter Games for CTVolympics.ca

While serving as senior online producer for Discovery Channel, Peter hosted, edited, and produced the first TV-quality LIVE science specials on the Internet.

An avid “wilderness astronomer” , Peter was the first to propose that Jasper National Park become a dark sky preserve, and worked with Parks Canada to have it designated the world’s largest astronomy park, as of March 2011.

He has spoken on science communication and astronomy at countless universities, science centres, conferences, and national parks, as well as delivering science communication workshops at Durham College, Science North/Laurentian University’s Science Communication program, and The Banff Centre.

Peter’s second installment in the Machines of the Future science experiment book series – Space Tourism – published by Kids Can Press, is due to hit bookshelves in fall 2011.