This chapter argues that the processes of globalization influence market, political and social forces. It suggests that various manifestations of globalisation include rapid communication, cheap modes of travel, increasing deregulation in economic matters and international political organisations. Economic factors add to the likelihood of developing psychiatric disorders and these are likely to be caused by industrialisation and urbanization. Studies over the past century have repeatedly identified migration as an important factor in the development of mental disorders in migrant communities. Rex draws a distinction between colonial societies and advanced metropolitan industrial societies which have lesser coercive sanctions. Colonial societies rely on these coercive sanctions and also have higher levels of racism and racialism. Another interesting and useful notion of the rise of the therapeutic culture of the self linked with more general political transformation has been described by Rose.