Debating ‘Globalisation and its Discontents’

Abstract

It is most welcome that Kieran Allen (2002) is seeking to open up the ‘great globalisation debate’ within Irish sociology. He outlines some of the key current issues and positions taken by well-known European social theorists such as Beck, Giddens, Bauman and Bourdieu. A clear stance in favour of Bourdieu is taken on the basis, it would seem, that he was engaged actively in the movement against neo-liberalism in France towards the end of his life. On the other hand, Giddens, in particular, is castigated for his role as intellectual to the court of New Labour in Britain¹. Allen argues that sociologists cannot stand idly by as the anti-globalisation movement builds up steam. In fact, he draws a direct parallel with the 1969 split in the American Sociological Association over the Vietnam War that led to the formation of a Sociology Liberation Movement which rejected the mainstream proclamation of value-free neutrality. While we should welcome Irish sociology's overdue engagement with the globalisation paradigm, I wish to raise some problems with Allen's analysis and pursue some of the issues raised a bit further.