Globalization before Globalization: The Surprising Paretian View of the Global

We can distinguish three modes of approaching the topic of global- ization. First, there is a mainly economic mode, which is variously based on a view of the economy as a true globalizing force. This perspective focuses not infrequently on the division of labor on a planetary scale. Second, there is the predominantly political mode of approach, which looks at the relationships between states in a realist way and pays particular attention to the exercise of hegemony and the struggle for hegemony itself within macro areas. Third, there is a social, or sociological, mode of approach. At the center, then, is a new awareness of being citizens of the world that, on closer inspec- tion, concerns the dimensions of thinking and feeling, overcoming the old mind/emotions dualism. We have come to think of ourselves as inhabitants of the world because we feel that we are. the relevance of the Paretian idea that public opinions, with their orientations and reasoning, also matter should not be overlooked. Pareto was critically conscious of globalization. He fascinates with his ability to shed light on both the ambiguous link that can unite altruism and selfishness (or desire for peace and desire for hegemony) and the contradictions into which those who attempt to improve the world and who often feel invested with some special mission to do so can fall.