Revisiting Globalization and the Rise of Global Production Networks

This book takes issue with the likening of contemporary globalization to nineteenth century trade interdependence, in which the defining feature of contemporary globalization is the spread of global production networks, which were notably absent in the past. Maswood demonstrates that the emergence of global production networks (GPNs) was not a result of economic and trade liberalization, but instead due to neo-protectionist developments in the 1980s that acted as a catalyst to transform Japan’s nationally based production networks into the now ubiquitous GPNs. Through this case study of Japan, the author lays out a case for reconsidering the origins of globalization, and explores some of the consequences that are likely to flow from progressive evolutionary transition towards a global economy.

Syed Javed Maswood is Associate Professor of Political Science at the American University in Cairo, Egypt. Before joining the American University, Javed was Associate Professor in the Department of International Business and Asian Studies at Griffith University in Brisbane, Australia. He has also taught at several other universities in Singapore, Japan, US, and Canada.