Cultural Encounters in the Age of Globalism: 1945 to the Present

This textbook examines encounters between different cultures during the Global Age, outlining their historical, social, political, and economic contexts. Based around themes including tourism, migration, protest, display of cultures, and the examination of ’mega-events’ like the Olympics, the book explores the ways in which people were able to experience other cultures from 1945 onwards. The author questions the impact of these encounters, discussing whether they led to cultural hybridity or contrastingly, divergence. By bringing together a selection of themes and considering their national and transnational impact, this textbook provides insights for those studying international politics and global history. At a time when globalism is questioned by politicians and campaigners, this timely book examines its impact on groups of people and the systems under which they live.

Nicholas Barnett is a Lecturer in Contemporary History and Politics at the University of Salford, UK. He has taught in academia for ten years creating modules on several subjects including cultural encounters, the 1960s, Britain in the twentieth century, the Cold War, dictatorships in the twentieth century, and political protest. His research specialism is the late twentieth century, and he has published several articles on the Cold War, as well as the monograph, Britain’s Cold War (2020).