Globalization: A Short

Introduction (Steger 2013)

Sept 18, 2013
Module 1-1 San Jose
Globdev SY 2013 - 2nd Term

Chap 1 - Globalization: A Contested Concept

1.1. Too Simplistic!

techno-economic juggernaut
steamroller - logic of capitalism and
western values
spectre of Americanization

ANTI-GLOBALIZATION

IS ANTI-GLOBALIZATION WRONG? - BBC DEC 13, 2002 (8:00)

1.1. Too Simplistic!

Steger - globalization is
the myriad forms of
connectivity and flows
linking the local (and
national) to the global as
well as West to East,
North to South.
thickening global-local
nexus or glocalization
think globally, act locally

1.2. Global <-> National

concrete examples - why global shouldn't be separated from
national
World Cup
obvious manifestation of global-local dynamics
national teams playing in South African stadiums in front of a
mixture of local and global spectators as well as virtual
global audiences watching the games on TVs and other
digital devices
Shakira
Columbian, NY born Arabic father, Spanish-Catalan mother
personal background and music - hybridization - mixing of
different cultural elements and styles

ELEMENTS OF HYBRIDIZATION!
2010 WORLD CUP THEME-WAKA WAKA (3:30)

GLOBALIZATION CANNOT BE CONFINED TO MACRO-DYNAMICS

AND FLOWS LINKING THE GLOBAL TO THE LOCAL AND VICE-VERSA
(P 7) (INCLUDES MICRO LEVEL, EVERYDAY, PERSONAL)

1.3. What is Globalization?

what is it? is it a process? condition? system? force? an age?
Steger distinguishes between a social condition and a social process
1.3.1. Globality (social condition)
a social condition characterized by tight global economic, political, cultural and
environmental interconnections and flows that make most of the currently existing
borders and boundaries irrelevant (p 9).
1.3.2. Globalization (social processes)
a set of social processes that appear to transform our present social condition of
conventional nationality into one of globality (p 9).
what World Cup and Shakira shows - national and local are NOT extinct nor
irrelevant, rather just changing in character
1.3.3. Three assertions on globalization
1) Leaving behind condition of modern nationality
2) Moving towards new condition of postmodern globality
3) We have not reached it yet

1.3.4. National Imaginary VS Global Imaginary

Global Imaginary - peoples growing consciousness of global
connectivity
exists but we were not conscious of it as Filipinos
outside world = US (national Other)

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outside world = Global Filipino Nation

process already existed, but now Filipinos are truly
aware of it
we are conscious of our global connectivity!

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1.4. Defining Globalization

1.4.1. Uneven process
different interpretations
parable of blind men and elephant

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1.4.2. Four qualities or characteristics of Globalization

(p14)
1) Involves both the creation of new social networks
and the multiplication of existing connections
2) Expansion and stretching of social relations,
activities and connections
3) Intensification and acceleration of social
exchanges and activities
4) Globalization processes do not occur merely on
an objective, material level, but also involve the
subjective plane of human consciousness.

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1.4.3. Steger's short definition of Globalization (p 15)

Globalization = the expansion and intensification of
social relations and consciousness across worldtime and world-space.
medieval times/industrial age/colonial period process and social relations were intensifying, but
people were not as conscious of it as now
we have discussed the contested concept and short
definition of globalization, we ask:
Is globalization a new phenomenon?

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Chap 2 - Is Globalization a new phenomenon?

Is globalization a
new phenomenon?
depends on how
far we are willing to
trace its historical
roots:
since 1980's?
200 years ago?
since 16th
century?
ancient world?

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Steger - NOT NEW! But it didn't exist completely from the very start
NOT - globalization existed since 1945 / existed since colonial period / existed since
ancient world (only one answer)
RATHER - ancient process that crossed distinct qualitative thresholds
5 historical periods
I. Prehistoric period (10,000 BCE 3500 BCE) "Divergence"
scatter of people across the continents

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II. Premodern period (3500 BCE 1500 CE) "Age of Empires"

major inventions, trade routes, major religions
dominance of Asia
III. Early modern period (1500-1750) "Capitalist World System"
European enlightenment and Renaissance, European dominance
colonial expansion -Dutch / British East India Company
Westphalian State-System - birth of sovereign, territorial nation-state
IV. Modern period (1750-1980) "Industrialization"
direct colonial control
communication, transportation, population growth, political changes, extreme nationalism, world wars
V. Contemporary period (1980s to present) "Convergence"
collapse of Soviet Union, single global market
ICT revolution
What do these periods show us?
globalization did not exist in a single time period, but is a set of processes!

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Chapter Recap
Chapter 1 - Globalization -> about shifting forms of
human contact
Affirming globalization implies that you accept the
following:
1) Leaving behind condition of modern nationality
2) Moving towards new condition of postmodern
globality
3) We have not reached it yet.
Chapter 2- Globalization - set of processes throughout
history

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Discussion Questions
Is globalization inherently good or bad?
Difference between Globality and Globalization?
social process and social condition
When did Globalization begin?
ancient process that crossed distinct qualitative
thresholds

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PAHSA WORKSHOP ON HUMAN SECURITY

13TH FLOOR, EDC, HENRY SY BLDG

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Sept 23 Mon
Lecture 3 - Dr. Carlos - Human Security: Approaches and Challenges (9-11am)
Lecture 4 - Dean Teehankee - Constitutions, Democracy and Human Security
(2-4pm)
Sept 25, Wed
Lecture 5 - Dr. Batalla - Development, Inequality and Human Security (9-11am)
Lecture 6 - Dr. San Jose - Migration and Human Security in Asia: the
Philippines, Indonesia and Japan (2-4pm)
Sept 26, Thurs
Lecture 7 - Dr. Magno - Climate Change, Natural Disasters and Human Security
(9-11am)
Lecture 8 - Atty. Gascon - Peace and Human Security: the Peace Process in
Mindanao (2-4pm)

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Sept 24, Tues - Alternative Class on Human Security

Sept 26, Thurs - Alternative Class on Human Security
Attend at least 2 sessions (attendance sheet at venue) and submit 1
essay paper on any of the lecture topics
Essay (2-3 pages)
a. what is human security according to the speaker?
b. do you agree with the speaker on his views on human security?
c. summarize the main points and arguments of the speaker
d. give your own personal insights / opinions on the topic
Oct 1, Tues - Plenary - Topic 2 - Political and Cultural Dimensions of
Globalization
Oct 3, Thurs - Plenary - Topic 3 - Nation in an Age of Globalization

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