Conrad argues that the effects of globalisation are not a recent phenomenon, but indeed can be traced back to the early years of the twentieth century, and are to be found influencing developments in Imperial Germany. When it was released in German in 2006, the book created a large amount of interested and led to a passionate debate.

Conrad argues that the global forces influencing Germany actually caused a growth of nationalism in the country and a hardening of borders and boundaries. The most passionately defended German institution was agriculture, around which an interesting discourse developed. Figures in Germany began seeing their own agricultural empire in the East in colonial terms, considering, for example, the replacement of Polish labourers with Chinese coolies.

German figures also used interactions with non-Europeans to help define what is perhaps the most pervasive stereotype associated with their country: hard-work. Ideas of German labor excellence led to grand schemes to try and export these labor types around the world, to places such as Brazil. Social engineers in Germany even compared their struggles to discipline the labour force with the struggles occurring in colonial spaces!

Overall, this is a remarkable account on the influences of the global in the forming of the national. I disagree with the assertion that 1900 was the key year here, believing it to be earlier, and naturally, Conrad's discursive analysis covers only a segment of the population. Nonetheless, his book is a must read for a full comprehension of pre-1914 Germany.