Globalization and Media: Global Village of Babel

by Jack Lule

This lively and accessible book argues for the central role of media in understanding globalization. Indeed, Jack Lule convincingly shows that globalization could not have occurred without media. From earliest times, humans have used media to explore, settle, and globalize their world. In our day, media have made the world progressively "smaller" as nations and cultures come into increasing contact. Decades ago Marshall McLuhan prophesied that media technology would transform the world into a "global village." Slowly, fitfully, his vision is being fulfilled.

The global village, however, is not the blissful utopia that McLuhan predicted. Nor, in a more modern formulation, is the world flat, with playing fields leveled and opportunities for all. Instead, Lule argues, globalization and media are combining to create a divided world of gated communities and ghettos, borders and boundaries, suffering and surfeit, beauty and decay. By breaking down the economic, cultural, and political impact of media, and through a rich set of case studies from around the globe, the author describes a global village of Babel-invoking the biblical town punished for its vanity by seeing its citizens scattered, its language confounded, and its destiny shaped by strife.

Genres: Nonfiction

188 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 10, 2011

Reviews

[Mariah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grad school text book!

[Emma Colón]

Read for summer Global Media course :)

[Sary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never thought I would enjoy reading a book about Globalization and Media, but it was really really good! I totally recommend it!

[Audrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting but had to read it first class so that scews my review…

[Raashi Shastry · Rating 4 out of 5]

It offered a unique perspective on the media's role in globalization. I appreciated the fact that it has both sides of the argument and contains many examples.

[Hope · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not horrible for a required text.