Includes bibliographical references (p. [241]-260) and index.

1. Introduction : the Olympic Games and the meaning of world culture -- 2. Analyzing world culture : alternative theories -- 3. Tracing world culture : a brief history -- 4. Constructing world culture : UN meetings as global ritual -- 5. Sustaining world culture : the infrastructure of technology and organizations -- 6. Differentiating world culture : national identity and the pursuit of diversity -- 7. Transforming world culture : the antiglobalization movement as cultural critique -- 8. Expanding world culture : Pentecostalism as a global movement -- 9. Opposing world culture : Islamism and the clash of civilizations -- 10. Instituting world culture : the international criminal court and global governance -- 11. Epilogue : reflections on world culture.

"This book explores the development, content, and impact of world culture. Combining two of the most fruitful theoretical perspectives on world culture - the world polity approach and globalization theory - the book traces the development of world culture from the mid-nineteenth century to the present day. It includes extensive illustrations of key issues and empirical research, gives a historical treatment of the development of world culture, and assesses the complex impact of world culture on people, organizations, and societies."--BOOK JACKET.