This study documented how the impacts of globalization are experienced at the individual farm level and explored the potential implications that these experiences may have for on-farm sustainability. I selected 12 farms based on how they were exposed to global markets (determined by the distance from urban markets and whether the farm was oriented towards fresh or processed markets). Using interview and statistical census data, I explored the lived experiences and perceptions of farmers concerning the drivers for, and the nature of ecological, economic and social change amongst vegetable farms in Ontario. Amongst the many individual findings, three dominant themes stand out: (1) how globalization has affected the processing industry (economic sustainability) (2) how globalization affects crop diversity (ecological sustainability) and; (3) how globalization affects farmers’ autonomy (social sustainability). When these themes are viewed together they can be categorized by productivist and post-productivist stages of agriculture. These definitions can help characterize common findings (trends) that will likely influence on-farm management strategies and determine the implications these trends may have on sustainability.

This thesis is a discussion on whether every sector of human activity really is or needs to be 'global'. It discusses the impact that economic globalization has on the role of the nation-state and on the concept of democracy, at both local and international levels. Particular emphasis is put on some of the democratic challenges associated with dispute settlement at the WTO and also under foreign investment international instruments. It is argued that increased participation by non-state actors, particularly NGOs, in state-to-state and in investor-state arbitration threatens to weaken the arbitration process and does little to remedy alleged democratic deficiencies. The author concludes that many democratic concerns regarding these types of dispute settlement processes may be better addressed by strengthening national democracies. Increased public information, consultation, and participation in the shaping of foreign policy could reduce much of the criticism concerning both, international dispute settlement and decision-making.

This dissertation consists of three empirical essays, investigating the impact of globalizing flows on the pattern of income convergence at both inter and intra-regional levels. The first essay answers two questions. First, to what extent have peripheral world regions been converging (or diverging) to (or from) the core world region of North America since 1970? In terms of the performance of individual peripheral regions relative to the core, there is no evidence that any region has persistently converged toward or diverged from the core region (in terms of per capita income). Among globalizing flows, none of them are found to be significantly associated with changes in inter-regional income gaps. The second essay seeks to determine the patterns of intra-regional income convergence (or divergence) in Latin America and the Caribbean and assesses the effects of inter- and intra-regional flows on the tendency to converge or diverge. Log t convergence tests indicate the existence of convergence club(s). Sigma convergence tests do not show any falling trends in income dispersion for the region and each of its convergence clubs. Our regression results also suggest that only the flows of inter-regional export and import in high technology products have long-run convergent effects on the pattern of convergence in Latin America and the Caribbean. The third essay examines the patterns of intra-regional income convergence (or divergence) in East and South-East Asia and investigates the effects of inter- and intra-regional flows on the pattern of intra-regional convergence (or divergence). Log t convergence tests identify the existence of two convergence clubs from 1970 to 2010. Although sigma convergence tests do not show any overall convergence trends for the entire period of study, they indicate a persistent decrease in the income dispersion of one club and a relatively stable income distribution in another club over the latest two decades. Our regression results suggest that intra-regional trade, especially intra-regional trade in high-technology goods, has a strong tendency to promote income convergence across countries in East and South-East Asia.

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Thesis (Ph.D.)--The University of Chicago, 2007. / Advisers: Saskia Sassen ... [et al.] Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M. Th.)--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / Bibliography. Also available via the Internet.

Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, Dept. of Politics, 1999. / Bibliography: leaves 256-319.

Thesis (PhD(Economics))-University of Pretoria, 2007. / Abstract in English. Includes bibliographical references. Available on the Internet via the World Wide Web.

Thesis (M.A. (Gast.)) -- University of Adelaide, 2004. / "August 2004." Bibliography: leaves 99-103.