There is practically no globalization without media and communications. Yet this relationship is so obvious it is often overlooked. Rantanen challenges conventional ways of thinking about globalization and shows it cannot be understood without studying the role of the media. This book offers: - a clear and accessible overview of globalization and the pivotal role of the media - an introduction to the concepts and theories of globalization - empirical data on the production and consumption of media - a methodology for relating individual, local experiences to the global picture Rantanen has made this complex and huge subject very accessible by using personal histories and pictures to engage the reader. It will be invaluable to students in international media, cultural studies, communications and international relations.