Cosmopolitan Spaces
Europe, Globalization, Theory

Offers a reading of both globalization theory and contemporary European transformations. This book provides a critique for thinking about Europe in terms of Empire, and advances the startling claim that Europe should be considered 'postwestern'.

"Cosmopolitan Spaces: Europe, Globalization, Theory" endeavors a highly innovative reading of both globalization theory and contemporary European transformations. Interpreting cosmopolitanism as a politics of space, Rumford positions his analysis at the intersection of two exciting currents in contemporary social science research: the 'spatial turn' in the social sciences and the renewed interest in cosmopolitanism. Rumford elaborates a completely new theoretical framework for understanding the contemporary social and political transformation of Europe, and takes issue with many aspects of the globalization-inspired accounts of Europeanization which remain blind to the spatial dimensions of change. In addition to its compelling reading of cosmopolitanism, "Cosmopolitan Spaces: Europe, Globalization, Theory", offers a provocative critique for thinking about Europe in terms of Empire, and advances the startling claim that Europe should be considered 'postwestern'.

Acknowledgments Chapter One: Introduction: Cosmopolitanism as a Politics of Space Chapter Two: From a Sociology of the EU to a Social Theory of EuropeChapter Three: The Borders and Borderlands of Europe: A Critique of Balibar Chapter Four: Europe's Cosmopolitan BordersChapter Five: 'Spaces of Wonder': The Global Politics of StrangenessChapter Six: Empire and the Hubris of the 'High-point'Chapter Seven: PostwesternizationChapter Eight: The World is not enough: Globalization ReconsideredChapter Nine: Concluding Thoughts: The Spaces of Critical Cosmopolitanism
Notes BibliographyIndex