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Leonard Hastings Schoff Lectures
Losing Control? Sovereignty in an Age of Globalization
What determines the flow of labor and capital in this new global information economy? Who has the capacity to coordinate this new system, to create some measure of order? What happens to territoriality and sovereignty, two fundamental principles of the modern state? And who gains rights and who loses rights?
Losing Control? examines the rise of private transnational legal codes and supranational institutions, such as the World Trade Organization and universal human rights covenants, and shows that though sovereignty remains an important feature of the international system, it is no longer confined to the nation-state. Other actors gain rights and a kind of sovereignty by setting some of the rules that used to be within the exclusive domain of states. Saskia Sassen tracks the emergence and the making of the transformations that mark our world today, among which is the partial denationalizing of national territory. Two arenas in particular stand out in the new spatial and economic order by their capacity to set their own rules: the global capital market and the series of codes and institutions that have mushroomed into an international human rights regime. As Sassen shows, these two quasi-legal realms now have the power and legitimacy to demand action and accountability from national governments, with the ironic twist that both depend upon the state to enforce their goals. From the economic policy shifts forced by the Mexico debt crisis to the recurring battles over immigration and refugees around the world, Losing Control? incisively analyzes the events that have radically altered the landscape of governance in an era of increasing globalization.
Losing Control? examines the rise of private transnational legal codes and supranational institutions, such as the World Trade Organization and universal human rights covenants, and shows that though sovereignty remains an important feature of the international system, it is no longer confined to the nation-state. Other actors gain rights and a kind of sovereignty by setting some of the rules that used to be within the exclusive domain of states. Saskia Sassen tracks the emergence and the making of the transformations that mark our world today, among which is the partial denationalizing of national territory. Two arenas in particular stand out in the new spatial and economic order by their capacity to set their own rules: the global capital market and the series of codes and institutions that have mushroomed into an international human rights regime. As Sassen shows, these two quasi-legal realms now have the power and legitimacy to demand action and accountability from national governments, with the ironic twist that both depend upon the state to enforce their goals. From the economic policy shifts forced by the Mexico debt crisis to the recurring battles over immigration and refugees around the world, Losing Control? incisively analyzes the events that have radically altered the landscape of governance in an era of increasing globalization.
128 pages, Hardcover
First published April 15, 1996
3 people are currently reading
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About the author
Saskia Sassen
93 books147 followersSaskia Sassen (born in The Hague, January 5, 1949) is a Dutch sociologist noted for her analyses of globalization and international human migration. She is currently Robert S. Lynd Professor of Sociology at Columbia University and Centennial visiting Professor at the London School of Economics. Sassen coined the term global city.
After being a post-doctoral fellow at the Center for International Affairs at Harvard University, Sassen held various academic positions both in and outside the USA, such as the Ralph Lewis Professor of Sociology at the University of Chicago. She is currently Robert S. Lynd Professor of Sociology at Columbia University and Centennial Visiting Professor of Political Economy in the Department of Sociology at the London School of Economics.
During the 1980s and 1990s, Sassen emerged as a prolific author in urban sociology. She studied the impacts of globalisation such as economic restructuring, and how the movements of labour and capital influence urban life. She also studied the influence of communication technology on governance. Sassen observed how nation states begin to lose power to control these developments, and she studied increasing general transnationalism, including transnationalhuman migration. She identified and described the phenomenon of the global city. Her 1991 book bearing this title quickly made her a frequently quoted author on globalisation worldwide. A revised and updated edition of her book was published in 2001. She currently (2006) is pursuing her research and writing on immigration and globalization, with her "denationalization" and "transnationalism" projects (see Bibliography and External Links, below). Sassen's books have been translated into 21 languages.
After being a post-doctoral fellow at the Center for International Affairs at Harvard University, Sassen held various academic positions both in and outside the USA, such as the Ralph Lewis Professor of Sociology at the University of Chicago. She is currently Robert S. Lynd Professor of Sociology at Columbia University and Centennial Visiting Professor of Political Economy in the Department of Sociology at the London School of Economics.
During the 1980s and 1990s, Sassen emerged as a prolific author in urban sociology. She studied the impacts of globalisation such as economic restructuring, and how the movements of labour and capital influence urban life. She also studied the influence of communication technology on governance. Sassen observed how nation states begin to lose power to control these developments, and she studied increasing general transnationalism, including transnationalhuman migration. She identified and described the phenomenon of the global city. Her 1991 book bearing this title quickly made her a frequently quoted author on globalisation worldwide. A revised and updated edition of her book was published in 2001. She currently (2006) is pursuing her research and writing on immigration and globalization, with her "denationalization" and "transnationalism" projects (see Bibliography and External Links, below). Sassen's books have been translated into 21 languages.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
March 9, 2016
This is an inspiring book for early career researchers to read. Yes, Saskia Sassen remains one of the great scholars of globalization and territoriality. But this book demonstrates how a series of short lectures / essays - originally published in 1996 - can enable and develop decades of research and a powerful career trajectory.
This republished edition - from 2015 - includes an introductory essay that demonstrates how the opportunity to write a series of lectures and publish them created a momentum for Sassen's career. Indeed, most of her key themes about globalization, nationalism and sovereignty can be found in a burgeoning form in this short book.
While neoliberalism is unmentioned in the book, the consequences of declining regulation on the movements of capital between states (a legacy of the Clinton administration in particular) is revealed in stark shapes and contours. Although published in 1996, the costs and consequences of declining regulation and accountability in the subsequent two decades can be clearly seen.
Recommended - and inspirational.
This republished edition - from 2015 - includes an introductory essay that demonstrates how the opportunity to write a series of lectures and publish them created a momentum for Sassen's career. Indeed, most of her key themes about globalization, nationalism and sovereignty can be found in a burgeoning form in this short book.
While neoliberalism is unmentioned in the book, the consequences of declining regulation on the movements of capital between states (a legacy of the Clinton administration in particular) is revealed in stark shapes and contours. Although published in 1996, the costs and consequences of declining regulation and accountability in the subsequent two decades can be clearly seen.
Recommended - and inspirational.
July 6, 2016
It's just refreshing to read Sassen. To be able to talk about such an "abstract" and "theorical" topic in such a concrete and tangible way, shows mastery on the subject. As a fellow urban enthusiast i keep feeling her, more and more.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews