Globalizations - Dimensions, historical waves, regional effects, normativegovernance

Globalization is a plural phenomenon. There are at least five major discour ses on it that usually ignore each other: competitive economics, social cri ticism, state (im)potence, culture and planetary ecology. The dimensions of globalization include a number of substantial social processes as well as two different kinds of dynamics: systemic and interacting exogenous actors. Globalizations are not new phenomena. At least six historical waves, begin ning with the spread of world religions, may be identified. An attempt is m ade to systematize the effects of globalizations on different world regions and social actors. Issues of governance are raised, focusing on states and norms.