Saskia Sassen

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Saskia Sassen at the Subversive Festival (cropped)

Saskia Sassen is a Dutch-American sociologist known for her analyses of globalization and international human migration. She is best known for her contributions to the study of global cities, a term she popularized to describe cities that function as command points in the global economy, notably New York City, London, and Tokyo. Sassen's work has significantly influenced urban sociology, global studies, and economic geography.

Early Life and Education

Saskia Sassen was born on January 5, 1947, in The Hague, Netherlands. She spent parts of her childhood in Argentina and Italy, experiences that contributed to her interest in migration and globalization. Sassen pursued her higher education in the United States, where she earned a BA from the University of Notre Dame and a PhD in Sociology from the University of Notre Dame.

Career

Sassen's academic career has been distinguished by her focus on the dynamics of globalization, the sociology of globalization, and the impact of global economic processes on urban life. She has held professorships at several prestigious institutions, including the University of Chicago and Columbia University, where she serves as the Robert S. Lynd Professor of Sociology and co-chairs The Committee on Global Thought.

Her seminal work, The Global City: New York, London, Tokyo (1991), argues that these cities have become central nodes in the global economy, facilitating the flow of information, capital, and people. This concept has been influential in understanding the economic and social dynamics shaping urban centers in the context of globalization.

Key Concepts and Contributions

Sassen's research has introduced several key concepts to the study of globalization and urban sociology:

- Global Cities: Sassen's analysis of global cities as hubs of financial and specialized service firms critical to the global economy has been foundational in urban studies. - Transnationalism: She has explored how global processes transcend national borders, affecting politics, economics, and society. - Digitalization and the Economy: Sassen has examined the impact of digital technologies on economic restructuring and the urban workforce. - Displacement and Deurbanization: Her work also addresses the darker aspects of globalization, such as the displacement of local populations and the decline of traditional urban spaces.

Publications

Sassen has authored numerous books and articles that have been influential in sociology, urban studies, and economics. Besides The Global City, her notable works include Territory, Authority, Rights: From Medieval to Global Assemblages (2006) and Expulsions: Brutality and Complexity in the Global Economy (2014).

Awards and Recognition

Throughout her career, Saskia Sassen has received various awards and honors in recognition of her contributions to sociology and urban studies. These accolades reflect her status as a leading thinker in the analysis of globalization and its effects on cities and human migration.

Legacy and Influence

Sassen's work has had a profound impact on the fields of sociology, urban studies, and global studies. Her concept of the global city has become a standard reference point for scholars and policymakers alike. Through her research, Sassen has provided critical insights into the complexities of globalization, making significant contributions to our understanding of contemporary urban and global transformations.