The speed and intensity of global integration in the last twodecades have provoked serious debate about the human impact ofglobalization and deep concern about the capacity of the state toprovide social justice. Street Protests and Fantasy Parksfocuses on two dimensions of globalization: the cultural and socialrealities of global connection and the uneasily shifting role of thestate.


While global processes are fusing societies and economies moredeeply than ever before, the editors argue that obituaries for thestate are premature, if not wholly inappropriate. These essays examinea series of compelling case studies - the entertainment industry,citizenship, social activism, and wired communication - to assess thechoices states have and the consequences of those choices for cultureand society.


Despite the seismic changes that globalization has wrought upongovernments, the state remains as the last, best guardian of itspeople. This book - of vital importance to policy makers, the media,social activists, and academics - explains why that is so.