In the 1990s globalization was the buzzword; it promises to become ever more important in the first decade of the 21st century. One view suggest that globalization can be dated back to the beginning of the 1980s, while a second view holds that globalization has a long history that can be traced to the 19th century, if not before. This work offers a categorization of types and stages of globalization that existed before the late 20th century. It also emphasizes the fact that globalization has non-Western as well as Western origins. The contributors bring their expertise to bear on themes that give prominence to China, South Asia, Africa and the world of Islam, as well as to Europe and the United States, and span three centuries. ISBN: 0712677402, 2002, Pimlico.