Saskia Sassen

Lore & Background

Saskia Sassen's intellectual journey began with a master's degree in philosophy from the University of Poitiers in 1970, followed by a PhD in sociology from the University of Notre Dame. Her early work focused on the intersection of economic restructuring and urban change, leading to her seminal 1991 book *The Global City*, which analyzed how New York, London, and Tokyo function as command centers for the global economy. This concept revolutionized urban sociology and economic geography, highlighting the paradox of concentrated wealth alongside growing inequality within these cities.

Sassen's later research expanded into the dynamics of migration, citizenship, and digital networks. In *Territory, Authority, Rights* (2006), she explored how globalization is reshaping the nation-state, while *Expulsions* (2014) examined the brutal dislocations caused by contemporary capitalism. Her work consistently emphasizes the agency of marginalized groups, such as migrant women and informal workers, challenging top-down narratives of globalization. She has advised the United Nations and numerous governments, and her ideas remain central to debates on urban policy, immigration, and economic justice.

Reader's Guide

Saskia Sassen's significance lies in her foundational work on globalization and urban sociology, particularly her identification and description of the 'global city' as a new type of urban center that serves as a command point for the global economy. Her 1991 book The Global City: New York, London, Tokyo became a widely cited text, and the term itself entered common academic and policy discourse. Sassen's research on the mobility of labor and capital, economic restructuring, and the influence of communication technology on governance challenged traditional nation-state-centric views. She studied how transnational human migration and the movements of capital reshape urban life and sovereignty. Her concepts of 'denationalization' and 'transnationalism' further influenced immigration and globalization studies. Sassen's work has been recognized with multiple honorary degrees and the Premio Princesa de Asturias in social sciences in 2013. Her legacy endures through her extensive publications, which have been translated into 21 languages, and her ongoing role as a professor at Columbia University and the London School of Economics.

Did You Know?

• Sassen earned her master's degree in philosophy from the University of Poitiers in 1970.
• She coined the term 'global city' in her 1991 book, which has since become a standard concept in urban studies.
• Her research on 'the global city' was initially met with skepticism but later became foundational for understanding modern urban economies.
• Sassen has held academic positions at the University of Chicago and the London School of Economics before joining Columbia University.