Sterri has illustrated the two-sided face of globalization: how it has assured interconnectivity and a good life and, at the same time, how it has made the process of environmental destruction fast and other forms of social disproportions. Foundational in his discussion in this book is the concept of the Anthropocene, of which our actions have caused the destruction of the planet. This paper reviews the book and how processes and forms of advancing our being, such as mechanisms of trade, technologies, and industrialization, according to the book, have brought us to the height of massive ecological crises (Sterri, 2014). Paradoxically, this raises a fundamental tension within global policy regarding the reconciliation of economic development with environmental sustainability.

Besides, it has great academic strength by many citations and contributions of well-acknowledged scholars. Its analysis based in the West is likely not to really reflect the nature and scope of globalization that affects not just non-Western societies. This is particularly useful because, as has been observed, the impacts of globalization are not homogenized but differ significantly under geopolitical and socio-economic environments. The debate on global citizenship and the role of the nation-state within the text directly relates to the approach that our course has been using so far with the study of political theory and international relations.

It reviews the effectiveness of current structures for global governance and suggests that a more legitimate form of global citizenship is now needed in order to be responsive to the challenges of the day. So, for instance, according to Sterri (2014), a very good instance of this is the inability of the nation-state as a modality to bring about solutions to such global issues as climate change. This demands not only local work but also work carried out internationally on climate change. As the reader makes the journey through 'global citizenship,' the text challenges his mind to a paradigm shift of the traditional perception concerning citizenship and national identity. It argues for a more inclusive perspective, globally; forward-looking, beyond the borders of the nation; preoccupied with collective human interest rather than parochial national concerns. Arguably, it is the future (Sterri, 2014). This is a very relevant argument as, in the recent international management of the COVID-19 pandemic, the play of national interests and global health priorities could be noticed. Based on these ideas, I would say global citizenship is one of the most powerful concepts in that it calls on every single individual to make global changes from their local place.

Reference

Sterri, A. B. (Ed.). (2014). Global Citizen - Challenges and Responsibility in an Interconnected World. BRILL.