The internationalization of economies and other changes that accompanyglobalization have brought about a paradoxical reemergence of the local. Asignificant but largely unstudied aspect of new local-global relationships is thegrowth of "localist movements," efforts to reclaim economic and politicalsovereignty for metropolitan and other subnational regions. In Localist Movements ina Global Economy, David Hess offers an overview of localism in the United States andassesses its potential to address pressing global problems of social justice andenvironmental sustainability. Since the 1990s, more than 100 local businessorganizations have formed in the United States, and there are growing efforts tobuild local ownership in the retail, food, energy, transportation, and mediaindustries. In this first social science study of localism, Hess adopts aninterdisciplinary approach that combines theoretical reflection, empirical research, and policy analysis. His perspective is not that of the uncritical localistadvocate; he draws on his new empirical research to assess the extent to whichlocalist policies can address sustainability and justice issues. After a theoreticaldiscussion of sustainability, the global corporate economy, and economicdevelopment, Hess looks at four specific forms of localism: "buy local"campaigns; urban agriculture; local ownership of electricity and transportation; andalternative and community media. Hess examines "globallocalism"--transnational local-to-local supply chains--and other economicpolicies and financial instruments that would create an alternative economicstructure. Localism is not a panacea for globalization, he concludes, but a crucialingredient in projects to build more democratic, just, and sustainablepolitics.