Globalizations: The Shape of Things to Come

Abstract

This article summarises key arguments from Globalizations: The Shape of Things to Come (2025), a collection of essays that examines the forces that are shaping world politics in the early 21st century. The book’s main concern is the determination and openness of global history, as well as the potential for collective learning and institutional transformation. The article highlights three major areas of analysis: the political economy of global developments and crises; the securitisation of international relations, with a focus on the war in Ukraine; and the prospects for more democratic global governance. Rather than offering predictions, the book is grounded in ontological realism and reflexive anticipation. From this perspective, it explores how interpretations, actions, and normative commitments also shape global futures. By synthesising insights across disciplinary boundaries, the article and book contribute to ongoing debates about the global political economy, security, and the political imagination necessary for creating a more sustainable, inclusive world system than the current one.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.61439/MNOP6789