Learning Outcomes:

At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:

1. agree on a working definition of globalization for the course;
2. differentiate the different concepts of globalization; and
3. narrate and share a personal experience of globalization

Over the last century, efforts have been made to bring various countries together. All
these efforts have been applied in enabling human beings on the earth’s surface to
come together in all aspects of life. These aspects of human life include social, political
and economical aspects. Integration effort has been seen to bear fruits. In the current
years, the world has been visualized as being a global village, where the interactions of
the people in the world, has been of equivalent to the interaction in one village or
locality. Almost all parts of the world are interconnected to the rest of the world in
different ways. Barriers, which initially isolated countries, have been removed. In the
recent times, higher levels of integration have been achieved. Initially, countries only
integrated economically. This is now outdated. Other areas of human life have also
been put in the circle of integration. This is commonly referred to as globalization
(Ghauri 22).

Globalization is the process by which countries, economies, and regions have been
integrated in a global network. Countries’ economies, cultures, and societies have been
placed in the global networks of communication, trade, transportation, and immigration.
Globalization is a societal phenomenon wherein social barriers no longer exist and the
only thing that separates people from each other is time and not geographical
restrictions. Human interactions will no longer be confined by territorial means because
people will coexist as inhabitants of a single community with the aid of technology and
other innovations in communication, transportation, etc.

Other Definitions of GLOBALIZATION

 Globalization is increasing interdependence of national economies in trade,

finance, and macroeconomic policy.
 Globalization is diffusion of practices, values and technology that have an
influence on people`s lives worldwide.
 A reconfiguration of social geography marked by the growth of trans planetary
and supra territorial connections between people
 Globalization is a process fueled by and resulting in, increasing cross- border
flows of goods, services, money, people, information, and culture.
 Globalization as a development in the structure of geography is closely
interrelated with concurrent developments in structures of production,
governance, identity and knowledge.
These definitions are in some ways related and to some extent overlapping, but their
emphases are substantially different. The most common opinion of globalization is
internationalization. "Global" is described as cross-border relations between countries, and
"globalization" incomes a growth of international exchange and interdependence.
"Globalization" is found in enlarged movements between countries of people, money,
investments, diseases, pollutants, messages, ideas etc. (Scholte 2005: 16).
Internationalization is the process of planning and implementing products and services so
that they can easily be adapted to specific local languages and cultures, a process called
localization.

The other main view of globalization is liberalization. As liberation "globalization" means a

process of removing state-imposed restrictions on movements between countries in order to
create an "open", "borderless" world economy. In recent decades has been widespread
reduction or even abolition of regulatory trade barriers, foreign-exchange restrictions, capital
controls, and visas. (Scholte 2005: 16).

Thirdly globalization is used as universalization. In this means, "global" describes

"worldwide", and "globalization" is the process of spreading various objects and experiences
to people all around of the world. We could see the evidence of "globalization" of the
Gregorian calendar, tobacco, rock music, automobiles, Chinese restaurants, cattle farming,
business suits, Barbie dolls, school curricula and much more. Globalization-as-
universalization is viewed as standardization and homogenization with worldwide cultural,
economic, legal and political convergence. (Scholte 2005: 16).

Globalization is also widely used as westernization or modernization, it is called also

Americanization. Here the social structures of modernity like capitalism, rationalism,
industrialism, bureaucratism, individualism, and so on, are spread the world over, normally
destroying earlier-existent cultures and local self-determination in the process.
"Globalization" in this sense is sometimes described as imperialism of MacDonald`s,
Hollywood and CNN. Globalization understood in this way is often interpreted as
colonization, Americanization and "westtoxication".

Some authors talk about globalization as an ideology of supposed progress that masks far-
reaching subordination by the west of the rest. Current large scale globalization has resulted
mainly from forces of modernity like rationalist knowledge, capitalist production, and
bureaucratic governance. It means that governance institutions, firms, mass media,
academics and civil society associations in Western Europe and North America have ranked
among the most enthusiastic promoters of contemporary globalization. (Scholte 2005: 16,
58).

Why Study Globalization

1. It is important to study globalization and development because it will help each one to
become more knowledgeable about the different phenomena that are happening around
the world right now thus, overcoming parochialism. Parochialism is an outlook that is
limited to one’s immediate community. A person who is concerned only with his/her
immediate family, village or even a country is parochial. The parochial person is close
minded. By studying globalization, it will help you to widen and overcome the limits of
your imagination and outlook. (Claudio and Abinales, The Contemporary World).

2. The study of globalization will allow to have a deeper understanding on the societal
issues, so that one can engage or participate actively in the development and
improvement in the different fields such as politics, technology, science, culture,
economy, education, and the like. By being actively involved, one would be able to
contribute, work hand-in-hand and think of ways in making our world a better place to
live in.

3. The study of globalization is inevitable because it is where we are headed. This

phenomenon of globalization simply cannot be ignored. It is inevitable and there is
enough evidence to support this claim. Statistical and graphical data found in the Global
Policy Forum site show that there is a growing rate of global interconnectedness. For
example, the number of internet users grew from only 16 million in 1995 to about 1.565
billion in 2008. Other relevant data included there are the exponential growth of
international tourist arrivals and rate of migration.

4. The study of Globalization helps everyone become connected with the whole world.
By learning about the various disciplines and approaches related to it, a lot of
opportunities will be open to contribute something to the society. Hence, it will serve as
the passport not only to reach and understand more other countries but most of all to
achieve one’s goals and dreams.

Given these facts, we can conclude that globalization is indeed an inescapable process
and that there is a need for us to be aware on the said topic so that we would know
where we stand. We cannot allow ourselves to get left behind on international issues
especially when it comes to matters as economic survival, global politics, environmental
concerns, etc. because who knows, other countries might already be exploiting us
because of our ignorance. The only way that we can prepare ourselves with the age of
globalization is to equip ourselves with necessary knowledge and skills and continuous
study of the world around us.

References:

Singh, K. (2004). Questioning Globalization.

Manila: Ibon Books

Rodrik, D. (2007). One economics, many recipes: globalization, institutions, and

economic growth.
New Jersey: Princeton University Press

Abinales and Claudio (2018). The Contemporary World.

C and E Publishing, Inc.