In this book Bauman analyzes the deep social and political roots of the globalization process. A dissenting voice to those who would embrace globalization uncritically, he points out its contradictions, describing how it can also lead to ‘localizing’ trends, especially in the Third World. This gap between the global elite and ‘localized’ masses creates tensions, fear, and anxiety, which can lead to fundamentalist tendencies. See in particular section 3 ‘After the Nation-state – What?’