Globalisation: An Economic and Cultural Perspective

Abstract

This chapter fi rst presents the backdrop of the study through a review of globalisation theories. A wide array of defi nitions and different dimensions of globalisation is reviewed and discussed. In particular, the chapter puts emphasis on discussing Wallerstein’s world-systems theory (e.g. Wallerstein 2004a, b) and the cultural impact of globalisation, as it is the book’s contention that globalisation needs to be framed not only in terms of cultural forces and fl ows (as we often do in applied linguistics) but also in terms of history and economics. The chapter then develops a framework for studying language spread and linguistic ideology within globalisation by combining the economic and cultural approaches discussed. It is argued that the two approaches complement each other and provide both macro and micro perspectives for investigation.