This Learning Module on The Contemporary World is the Sorsogon

State College’s response to providing flexible learning contents and

outcomes-based assessment to students.

This module which integrates independent and collaborative tasks

exposes learners to the contemporary world which encompasses the
emergence of economic, political, social and cultural systems amid
globalization. This module aims to develop among learners critical and
analytical thinking skills as they reflect on their roles and responsibilities
as global citizens.
 This course introduces students to the contemporary world by
examining the multifaceted phenomenon of globalization. Using the various
disciplines of the social sciences, it examines the economic, social, political,
technological, and other transformations that have created an increasing
awareness of the interconnectedness of peoples and places around the
globe.

To this end, the course provides an overview of the various debates

in global governance, development, and sustainability. Beyond exposing the
student to the world outside the Philippines, it seeks to inculcate a sense of
global citizenship and global ethical responsibility.

This course also includes mandatory topics on population education

in the context of population and demography.
 FELINO S. JASMIN, Jr.
SSC-Education-Accountancy Department
Introduction to Globalization

The Structures of Globalization

The Global Economy
Market Integration
The Global Interstate System
Contemporary Global Governance

A World of Regions
The Global Divides: The North and the South
Understanding Global Stratification

A World of Ideas
Media and Globalization
The Globalization of Religion

Global Population and Mobility

Global City
Global Demography
Global Migration

Towards a Sustainable World

Sustainable Development
Food Security

Global Citizenship
Global Citizenship
LESSON 1: WHAT IS GLOBALIZATION?
Different scholars have different viewpoints of what globalization is. Some would view
globalization as a positive phenomenon, some would see its detrimental effects on society which
cannot be separated from issues of global economic and cultural imperialism.

OBJECTIVES:

At the end of this lesson you are expected to:

• describe the contemporary world.

• craft one’s own working definition of globalization based on the different meanings
of globalization
• differentiate the meaning of globalization, globality and globalism from one another
• be familiarized with the dimensions and characteristics of globalization

PRE-READING ACTIVITY

Before reading the text below, choose whether to create a poster/collage, compose and perform
a song, or compose poem and deliver spoken poetry which depicts your concept of the world
today. Writing a short paragraph of description of our present world is also an option. Document
your choice and what you did.

READING

Giddens (1990) points out that globalization is the intensification of worldwide social
relations which link distant localities in such a way that local happenings are shaped by events
occurring many miles and away. In a conference in 2000, Giddens explained, “globalization is not
a single set of processes and does not lead into a single direction. It produces solidarities in some
places and destroys them in others. It has quite different consequences on one side of the world
from the other. In other words, it is a wholly contradictory process. It is not just about
fragmentation. I see it more as a shake-out of institutions in which new forms of unity go along
with new forms of unity go along with new forms of fragmentation.” Wallerstein (1998) believes
that globalization is a reflection of the triumph of a capitalist world economy bonded by a global
division of labour. Khor (1995) in discussing the world politics expressed that globalization has
long been experienced by the Third World called colonization.

For Mcgrew (1990) globalization is composed of multiple sameness and

interconnectedness that go beyond nation states where individuals and organizations in one part
of the world is affected by the activities, affairs, and convictions on another part of the globe. Holm
and George (1998) described globalization as the intensification of economic, social and cultural
relations across borders. Similarly, it is the processes by which the peoples of the world are
incorporated into a single world society, global society (Albrow, 1990). Simply, Kanter (1995) said
that it is a condition where the world is becoming a global shopping mall in which ideas and
products are available everywhere at the same time.

One of the most popular definitions of globalization is provided by Steger (2009) which
defined globalization as a set of social processes that appear to transform our present social
condition of weakening nationality into one globality. It is about the unprecedented compression
of time and space as a result of political, economic and cultural change, as well as powerful
technological innovations. Manfred further differentiated globalization, globality and globalism.
While globalization is a process, globality signifies a future social condition characterized by thick
economic, political and cultural interconnections and global flows that make currently existing
political borders and economic barriers irrelevant. On the other hand, globalism means
globalization as an ideology reflecting shared ideas, norms, values accepted as truth. He adds
that there are three kinds of globalism namely:

• Market globalism advocates promise a consumerist, neoliberal, free-market world. This

ideology is held by many powerful individuals, who claim it transmits democracy and
benefits everyone. However, it also reinforces inequality, and can be politically motivated.
• Justice globalism envisages a global civil society with fairer relationships and
environmental safeguards. They disagree with market globalists who view neoliberalism
as the only way.
• Religious globalism strives for a global religious community with superiority over secular
structures.
Steger (2009) further defines globalization as the expansion and intensification of social
relations and consciousness across world-time and world space. He explained that globalization
has several dimensions:

Economic: ‘The economic dimension of globalization’ explores how the way people have
undertaken economic production has changed. The global economic order emerged after
World War II, when the Bretton Woods Conference laid the foundations for the IMF, World
Bank, and WTO. In the 1980s neoliberalism liberalized financial transactions. However,
this unstable growth led to the Great Financial Crash, where banks traded toxic assets
without regulation. Transnational corporations rival nation-states in economic power, and
 have had a profound effect on the structure and function of the global economy. The
Washington Consensus was drafted to reform indebted developing countries, but it has
thus far rarely helped countries develop.

Political: The political dimension of globalization’ looks at political arrangements beyond

the nation-state. Traditional politics harboured an ‘us’ and ‘them’ mentality. Contemporary
globalization has led to a permeation of those borders. The modern nation-state came into
being after the Protestant Reformation, characterized by centralized government and self-
determination. The rise of organizations such as the United Nations has threatened the
nation-state, according to globalization sceptics. However, national governments still hold
significant powers. There has been a rise in the number of supra-territorial institutions,
operating from the local level all the way to the global level

Cultural: The cultural dimension of globalization’ explores the intensification and

expansion of cultural flows across the globe. Critics of cultural globalization claim that the
world is being homogenized or ‘Americanized’. However, advocates say that globalization
reinvigorates niche cultures instead of eliminating them. The existence of the global
imaginary is linked to the rise of global media networks. These networks are owned by a
small group of transnational corporations, which can affect journalistic integrity. Several
different hypotheses exist about the effects of language globalization. Some say that it
leads to protection of native tongues. On the other hand, some foresee the rise of a
‘Globish’ language.

Ecological: ‘The ecological dimension of globalization’ examines the effects of global

alliances on ecological issues. There is an inexorable link between all humanity and the
planet Earth. The Industrial Revolution has caused many ecological problems, including,
resource and food shortages, overpopulation, reduced biodiversity, pollution, and climate
change. All these problems are global — the result of aggregated human action — and
require a coordinated response. However, there are still debates about the seriousness
of ecological issues, and, whilst progress has been made, few multilateral measures
have been implemented.

Furthermore Cox (1999) provides the characteristics of globalization trend:

▪ internationalizing of production
▪ globalizing of finance and securities trading
▪ changing international division of labor
▪ vast migratory movements from South to North
▪ competitive environment that accelerates these processes
▪ internationalizing of the state making states into agencies of the globalizing
world
POST READING ACTIVITY

Reflective discussion and written output with a classmate, relative, friend, or

household member. Present your answers in a matrix/table form :

1. Craft your own personal definition of globalization based on how you have experienced it.
Relate your definition to your outputs about depicting the contemporary world.

2. What is the difference between globality and globalism?

Assignment: Write an Essay of Analysis composed of 6 paragraphs on : How can

a globalizing world of differing countries – rich and poor, democratic and authoritarian – best
promote inclusive growth and human security by meeting the challenges of inequality, climate
change, rising populism, and global disease?

REFERENCES AND READINGS

Albrow, Martin (1990). Globalization, Knowledge and Society. London: Sage.

Giddens, Anthony (1990). The Consequences of Modernity. Cambridge: Polity Press.

Holm, Hans-Henrik and Georg Sorensen (1995) “Introduction: What Has Changed?” in Hans-
Henrik Holm and Georg Sorensen, eds., Whose World Order? Uneven Globalization and the
End of the Cold War (Boulder, CO: Westview), 1–17.

Kanter, Rosabeth Moss (1995). World Class: Thriving Locally in the Global Economy (New
York: Simon and Schuster, as cited in J. A. Scholte, “The Globalization of World Politics”, in
J. Baylis and S. Smith (eds.), The Globalization of World Politics, An Introduction to
International Relations. New York: Oxford University Press, 1999.

Khor, Martin (1995). "Address to the International Forum on Globalization," New York City.

Mcgrew, A. (1990). A Global Society: Modernity and its Futures as cited by Brazalote and
Leonardo (2019) The Contemporary World: Outcome-Based Module. Quezon City: C & E
Publishing Inc.

Steger, Manfred. B. (2009). Globalization: A very short introduction. Oxford: Oxford University
Press.

Wallerstein, Immanuel (1974). The Modern World-System: Capitalist Agriculture and the Origins
of the European World-Economy in the Sixteenth Century. New York: Academic Press.

https://gened.fas.harvard.edu/urgent-problems-enduring-questions
LESSON 2: THE GLOBAL ECONOMY
The Global economy alludes to different financial exercises among various nations with
either negative or beneficial outcomes. The idea of a world economy is identified with regular day
to day existence dependent on the interconnected idea of the different countries around the world.
Exchange interrelations are noteworthy pointers of the worldwide economy. Thus, the growth of
globalization of the world's economies to a great extent is dependent on the advancement of
science and technology. Notwithstanding the drawbacks, globalization is still changing the world.
Socially, it has encouraged the trading of thoughts and societies, adding to a world view wherein
individuals are progressively open and lenient of each other.

OBJECTIVES:

At the end of this lesson you are expected to:

1. Define economic globalization;

2. Reflect on the various theories and perspectives explaining the practice of international trade;
3. Collect information about a foreign product being sold in the Philippines.

HELPFUL POINTS

Economic Globalization
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) regards “economic globalization’ as a historical
process representing the result of human innovation and technological progress. It is
characterized by the increasing integration of economies around the world through the movement
of goods, services, and capital across borders. These changes are the products of people,
organizations, institutions, and technologies. As with all other processes of globalization, there is
a qualitative and subjective element to this definition.
According to the United Nations (as cited by Shangquan, 2000), economic globalization
refers to the increasing interdependence of world economies as a result of the growing scale of
cross-border trade of commodities and services, flow of international capital and wide and rapid
spread of technologies. It reflects the continuing expansion and mutual integration of market
frontiers, and is an irreversible trend for the economic development in the whole world at the turn
of the millennium.

International Trade
The conclusion of World War ll signaled the beginning of trade facilitation around the
globe. Economies set rules and guidelines for international trade which led to the formation of
General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). These trade rules were developed through
series of rounds or meetings of member ‘economies.
International Trade (IT) is the process and system when goods, commodities, services
cross national economy, and boundaries in exchange for money or goods of another country
(Balaam and Veseth, 2008). Global trade has grown dramatically since the post-cold war era as
a result of increasing demand of goods and services of countries. This global norm is a reflection
of growing practice of internationalizing and globalizing local products and services.

Trade Theories
There are two types of trade theories explaining international trade.
• Descriptive Theory. It deals with the natural order and movement of trade. it describes
the pattern of trade under the idea of laissez faire, a French term which means "leave
alone". It refers to the notion that individuals are the best economic agents to solve the
problems through invisible hand rather than the government ‘policies. Descriptive theory
addresses the questions of which product to trade, how much product to offer and
produce, and which country to trade in the absence of government restrictions.
• Prescriptive Theory. This prescribes whether government, an important economic
institution, should interfere and restrict with the movement of goods and services. This
theory views government to have participation in deciding which countries to alter the
amount, composition and direction of goods. The pressing question describing descriptive
theory is “Should the government control trade?”

Three Perspectives on International Trade

• Economic Liberals
David Ricardo and Adam Smith were known critics of late-eighteenth century on the abuses of
mercantilism in England. Their liberal ideas and contribution in understanding global trade are still
relevant until today. For Ricardo, his influential work Law of Comparative Advantage explains that
free trade efficiency is attainable if two countries can produce more goods and trade products
separately. The advantage of this theory in international trade is deriving from the principle of
specialization and division of labor (Nau, 2009). Countries have different resources and talents;
they are better in performing in that economic activity than other economic activities

• Mercantilism
An economic theory emerged from about 1500-1800. This period was the emerging eras of
nations-states and the formation of more central governments. This system flourished due to the
following reasons:
▪ Higher export than import.
▪ Export less high valued product and import less high valued product
▪ The benefits of colonial powers.

• Structuralists
The earliest wave of mercantilism was described as classical imperialism. The drive of European
countries to explore and colonize underdeveloped countries originated from the aggressive
mercantilist behavior of European economies. This idea was extended to the practice of modern
capitalist-imperialist approach by countries and economies that have the immense resource
through the use of hard power over developing and less developed countries.
The Modern World System (MWS) theory deveIoped by Immanuel Wallerstein, explains the
contact of economies between core, semi peripheral, and peripheral countries in the world. The
core states have the absolute advantage over the other through unequal exchange and extraction
of raw materials from periphery and semi-periphery.

Thus, the economic globalization and market integration of the 21 st century are extensions of the
same economic motives of imperial powers of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries (Balaam
and Veseth, 2008)

ACTIVITY

Follow the product!

Globalization allows for a worldwide exchange of most of the commodities that we consume.
This activity will allow you to investigate the origin and spread of the products and services sold
in our country. You will also be able to know the countries involved in the production,
distribution, and consumption of the products being sold and consumed in the country. The
following are the steps to accomplish this activity:

1. Choose a specific foreign product/brand that is being sold in the Philippines.

2. List down the main ingredients or raw materials in manufacturing the chosen product. Identify
the corresponding country from which each ingredient or raw material came from.

3. Identify the countries involved in the manufacturing of the chosen product. Indicate the
corresponding service the country does for the product (e.g., Costa Rica planting of coffee
beans).

4. Aside from the Philippines, list other countries where the product is being sold. Cite the kinds
of technology that made the creation of the product possible. Consider communications and
transportation.

5. Write one to three statements about the creation of the product and answer the following
questions:
• How do economic trading institutions influence global economic activity?
• How does it affect the Philippine economy?
• Does the position of rich countries as giants in the economic chain threaten the status of
less developed countries in the global market?
REFERENCES

Balaam, D and Vesseth, M. (2008), Introduction to International Political Economy, 4th ed.
Pearson Prentice Hall, Pearson Education, Inc.

De Ocampo, F., Ramos, B., Llomora, R.,Macaraeg, A., David, M.A. (2018), Introduction to
Contemporary World. St. Andrew Publishing House.

Claudio, L., Abinales, P. (2018), The Contemporary World. C & E Publishing, Inc.,

Shangquan, G. (2000). Economic Globalization:Trends, risks and risk prevention. CPD

background paper no.1. United Nations Development Policy and Analysis Division.

Nau, H. (2009). Perspectives on International Relations: Power, Institutions, and Ideas. 2 nd

edition. Washington DC: CQ Press Sage Publishing. 2009
Lesson 3: MARKET INTEGRATION
Much of globalization is anchored on the role global economy plays in the different nations.
We often think of economy as something that covers a wide variety of financial aspects like
employment, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) or the stability of stock markets. However, we must
understand that the economy is composed of people. It is the social institution that organizes all
productions, consumptions and trade of goods in the society. World economies have been
brought closer together by globalization. These days, many occurrences of foreign affairs are
conducted to cement trading relations between and among nations. Thus, this chapter will show
the contributions of the different financial and economic institutions in the growth of the global
economy.

OBJECTIVES:

At the end of this lesson you are expected to:

1. Discuss the role of International Financial Institutions;

2. Relate the importance of International Financial Institutions to the creation of a global
economy;
3. Write an essay on how International Financial Institutions influence global economic activity.

HELPFUL POINTS

International Financial Institutions

An international financial institution (IFI) is a financial institution that has been
established (or chartered) by more than one country, and hence are subjects of international law.
Its owners or shareholders are generally national governments, although other international
institutions and other organizations occasionally figure as shareholders.

The Bretton Woods System

The major economies in the world had suffered because of World War I, the Great
Depression in the 1930, and World War II. Because of the fear of the recurrence of lack of
cooperati0n among nation-states, political instability, and economic turmoil (especially after the
Second World War), reduction of barriers to trade and free flow of money among nations became
the focus to restructure the world economy and ensure global financial stability (Ritzer, 2015).
These consist the background for the establishment of the Bretton Woods system.
In general, the Bretton Woods system has five key elements. First element is the
expression of currency in terms of gold or gold value to establish a par value (Boughton, 2007).
Another element is that “the official monetary authority in each country (a central bank or its
equivalent) would agree to exchange its own currency for those of other countries at the
established exchange rates, plus or minus a one-percent margin" (Boughton, 2007, pp. 106-107).
The third element of the Bretton Woods system is the establishment of an overseer for these
exchange rates; thus, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) was founded.

The General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) and the World Trade Organization
(WTO)
According to Feet (2003), global trade and finance was greatly affected by the Bretton
Woods system. One of the systems born out of Bretton Woods was the General Agreement on
Tariffs and Trade (GATT) that was established in 1947 [Goldstein et al., 2007). GATT was a forum
for the meeting of representatives from 23 member countries. It focused on trade goods through
multinational trade agreements conducted in many rounds of negotiation. However, “it was out of
the Uruguay Round (1986-1993) that an agreement was reached to create the World Trade
Organization (WTO)” (Ritzer, 2015).
The WTO headquarters is located in Geneva, Switzerland with 152 member states as of
2008 (Trachtman, 2007). Unlike GATT, WTO is an independent multilateral organization that
became responsible for trade in services, non-tarriff-related barriers to trade, and other broader
areas of trade liberalization, an example cited by Ritzer (2015) was that of the “differences
between nations in relation to regulations on items as manufactured goods or food. A given nation
can be taken to task for such regulations if they are deemed to be an unfair restraint on the trade
in such items”.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank

IMF and the World Bank were founded after the World War II. Their establishment was
mainly because of peace advocacy after the war. These institutions aimed to help the economic
stability of the world. Both of them are basically banks, but instead of being started by individuals
like regular banks, they were started by countries. Most of the world’s countries were members
of the two institutions. But, of course, the richest countries were those who handled most of the
financing and ultimately, those who had the greatest influence. IMF and the World Bank were
designed to complement each other. The IMF’s main goal was to help countries which were in
trouble at that time and who could not obtain money by any means. Perhaps, their economy
collapsed or their currency was threatened. IMF, in this case, served as a lender or a last resort.

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD),

the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), and the European Union (EU)
The most encompassing club of the richest countries in the world is the Organization for
Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) with 35 member states as of 2016, with Latvia
as its latest member. It is highly influential, despite the group having little formal power. This
emanates from the member countries’ resources and economic power.
In 1960, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) was originally
comprised of Saudi Arabia, lraq, Kuwait, Iran, and Venezuela. They are still part of the major
exporters of oil in the world today. OPEC was formed because member countries wanted to
increase the price of oil, which in the past had a relatively low price and had failed in keeping up
with inflation. Today, the United Arab Emirates, Algeria, Libya, Qatar, Nigeria, and Indonesia are
also included as members.
 The European Union (EU) is made up of 28 member states. Most members in the
Eurozone adopted the euro as basic currency but some Western European nations like the Great
Britain, Sweden, and Denmark did not. Critics argue that the euro increased the prices in
Eurozones and resulted in depressed economic growth rates, like in Greece, Spain, and Portugal.
The policies of the European Central Bank are considered to be a significant contributor in these
situations.

North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)

The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is a trade pact between the United
States, Mexico, and Canada created on January 1, 1994 when Mexico joined the two other
nations. It was first created in 1989 with only Canada and the United States as trading partners.
NAFTA helps in developing and expanding world trade by broadening international cooperation.
It also aims to increase Cooperation for improving working conditions in North America by
reducing barriers to trade as it expands the markets of the three countries.

ACTIVITY

Go for a virtual Tour!

Go to the web and accomplish these tasks:

a. Choose an international economic organization (Asian Development Bank, European

Investment Bank, etc.) or an international company (Honda, McDonalds, Kimberly Clark,
etc.);

b. Research the origin and history of the institution you have chosen;

c. Identify the major country-leaders of this institution, and

d. Then write an essay on how International Financial Institutions influence global

economic activity. Mention the Philippines’ role in the interconnected global economic
activities.
REFERENCES

Aldama, P. (2018). The Contemporary World. Rex Book Store, Inc.

Boughton, J. (2007) Bretton Woods System. In Scholte, J.A & Robertson, R. (eds.) Encyclopedia
of Globalization. New York: MTM Publishing

Claudio, L., Abinales, P. (2018), The Contemporary World. C & E Publishing, Inc., Goldstein,
J.L., Rivers, D.& Tomz, M. (2007). Institutions in international relations: Understanding the
effects of the GATT and the WTO. International Organization.

Ritzer, G. (2015). Globalization: The essentials. MA: Wiley Blackwell.

Trachtman, J.P (2007). Encyclopedia of globalization. New York: MTM Publishing

Lesson 4: THE GLOBAL INTERSTATE SYSTEM
The world is composed of many states having different forms of government. It has been
one of the major subjects of scholars of political disciplines because it is viewed as the institution
that sets policies for the country. The study of international relations is becoming more imperative
since it is an attempt to explain behavior that occurs across the boundaries of states, the broader
relationships of which such behavior is a part, and the institutions (private, state,
nongovernmental, and intergovernmental) that oversee those interactions.

This lesson will begin with a short narration of some events that occurred 400 years ago
and the challenges that most governments face amid globalization. It will also tackle the different
institutions that govern international relations in order to facilitate connections among nation-
states.

OBJECTIVES:

At the end of this lesson you are expected to:

1. Explain the effects of globalization on governments;

2. Identify the institutions that govern international relations;
3. Write a position paper on the Philippines’ territorial and economic relations with China.

HELPFUL POINTS

The Interstate System

The origins of the present-day concept of Sovereignty can be traced back to the Treaty of
Westphalia, which was a set of agreements signed in 1648 to end the thirty years’ war between
the major continental powers of Europe. The Westphalian system provided stability for the nations
of Europe, until it faced its major challenge by Napoleon Bonaparte. The latter believed in
spreading the principles of the French Revolution - liberty, equality and fraternity to the rest of
Europe. Despite the challenge of Napoleon to the Westphalian system and the eventual collapse
of the Concert of Europe after World War I, present-day international system has traces of this
history.

Effects of Globalization to Governments

One of the key aspects of state sovereignty is the government. It is a group of people who
have the ultimate authority to act on behalf of a state. Each state has its own right to self-
determination and that other country should not intervene in the affairs of that state unless there
are extraordinary reasons to do so. Globalization has, in a way reshaped the role and functions
of nation-states as governing bodies in their particular territories.
 • First, globalization is seen to impose a forced choice upon nation-states. Either they
conform to the neo-liberal ideas and free-market principles of deregulation,
privatization, and free trade or run the risk of being left behind in terms of development.
Of course, nation-states, in this contemporary age, are forced to submit themselves to
the demands of globally accepted free-market principles.
• Second is the establishment of economic and political integrations. One good example
is the European Union (EU) and the North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
EU has a single currency and monetary system, parliament with legislative powers,
with common citizens’ rights to live, work, vote and run for office. The statehood of the
members is not dissolved, what has changed is only how the nation-states function, in
terms of economy and politics, as part of a whole.
• The third effect of globalization is the establishment of international laws and
principles. This is observable in the establishment of the UN that operates as a forum
for nation-states to air their differences and try to resolve them.
• The fourth effect is the rise of transnational activism (TNA). Such happens when
activist groups of nation-states connect with their counterparts in other states. For
example, an advocacy-based organization in the Philippines may connect itself with
and get support from other human rights groups in Europe to pressure the Philippine
government to realign its stance and actions in upholding human rights.

Institutions that Govern International Relations

There are several international organizations that governments of countries around the world and
individuals participate in. In order to facilitate connections among nation-states, intergovernmental
organizations (IGOs) were established. Their aim is to foster strong economic, political, cultural,
educational, and technical intergovernmental relationships. There are also nongovernmental
organizations promoting social and economic growth. Let us look at them one by one.

• Peace Treaties and Military Alliances: The UN and NATO

Global politics entails relationship of countries and different governments and non-
governmental organizations, The United Nations (UN) is one of the leading political
organizations in the world where nation-states meet and deliberate. However, it remains as
an independent actor in global politics. Generally, it functions in four areas: military issues,
economic issues, environmental issues, and human protection. It is made up of close to 200
countries from around the world, 193 member states to be exact. (United Nations, 2011)

• Global Economic Associations: The WTO and NAFTA

The next group is an economic association-WTO which was created with the goal of
increasing free trade. Countries, therefore, can buy and sell goods from one another without
placing takes on imports or tariffs. In addition, tariffs are used to protect businesses and
companies inside their country. Another famous economic organization is NAFTA. This is an
economic treaty between the United States, Canada, and Mexico in which the three countries
trade freely without taxing each other. NAFTA is not without critics either. Some American
autoworkers protested against NAFTA as several car companies moved their factories to
 Mexico in search for cheaper labor. NAFTA, like WTO, represents the challenge in America
of keeping manufacturing factories.

• Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

Established in 1967, now has 10 member states. Its aims are to accelerate economic growth,
social progress and cultural development in the region; promote regional progression;
advance peace and sustainability; promote active and beneficial cooperation and mutual
assistance on matters of common interest in the economic, technical, cultural, administrative
and scientific fields.

• European Union (EU)

An IGO with 28- state members was established in 1993. Its goals are to promote peace, its
values, and well-being of its citizens; offer freedom, security and justice without internal
borders; uphold sustainable development; combat social exclusion and discrimination;
promote scientific and technological progress; enhance economic; social and territorial
cohesion among member countries; respect cultural and linguistic diversity; and establish an
economic and monetary union.

• Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)

Another example of an international organization that was developed out of war is the Red
Cross (Red Crescent in Muslim countries). NGOs are not tied to any country. This allows them
to operate freely throughout the world. They provide emergency relief such as food, water,
and medical supplies for those whose homes or towns have been destroyed by disaster or
war. They also monitor the treatment of prisoner of wars and go to conflicts to make sure that
no war crimes are taking place. In fact, the Red Cross began as an organization to help those
who were wounded during wars.

ACTIVITY

Write a position paper on the Philippines’ territorial and economic relations with China. After
conducting extensive research on the topic, the position paper should be easy to write.

Remember: A good position paper must include:

• A brief introduction to the country and its history concerning the topic and committees;
• How the topic affects the country;
• The country's policies with respect to the issue and the country's justification for these
policies;
• Quotes from the country's leaders about the issue;
• Statistics to back up the country's position on the issue;
• Actions taken by the government with regard to the issue;
• Conventions and resolutions that the country has signed or ratified;
• UN actions that the country supported or opposed; and
• What the country believes should be done to address the issue.
REFERENCES

Aldama, P. (2018). The Contemporary World. Rex Book Store, Inc.

Brazalote, T., Leonardo, R. (2018) The Contemporary World. C & E Publishing, Inc., ©2019

Claudio, L., Abinales, P. (2018), The Contemporary World. C & E Publishing, Inc. Goldstein, J.L.,
Rivers

United Nations. (2011). Basic facts about the United Nations. New York, USA: United Nations
Department of Public Information. Retrieved from
http://munkiconference.weebly.com/uploads/1/5/4/2/15422056/basic-facts-about-the-
un.pdf on May 13, 2020
Lesson 5: CONTEMPORARY GLOBAL GOVERNANCE
The world has no global government and global authority. There are however, political
and economic bodies operating worldwide that not all people are aware of. Thus what the world
has is the idea of global governance. This term refers to domestic institutions and governments
on how large-scale problems and public-policy issues are being resolved on a global level. It
involves a range of actors including states, national and regional bodies that have the eagerness
and commitment to deal with a particular challenge. This lesson will focus primarily on the United
Nations (UN) as the most prominent intergovernmental organization today as well as the
challenges of the twenty-first century governance.

OBJECTIVES:

At the end of this lesson you are expected to:

1. Identify the roles and functions of the United Nations (UN);

2. Describe the challenges of global governance in the 21 st century;
3. Explain the relevance of the nation-state in the midst of globalization; and
3. Create a poster that depicts the participation of the Philippines in the global community

KEY POINTS

Today, global governance makes world affairs systematic, secured and formulaic. Weiss
& Thakur (2014) describe global governance as the totality of norms, laws, policies, and bodies
that define, comprise, and facilitate transnational relations between citizens, states, cultures,
intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations. Rules and norms put everything in order.
Though global governance is rule-based, it has no central authority. However, there are systems
for international relationships that bind the states, people and society together. Since the United
Nations (UN) has the most number of members among the established global systems, this
section discusses its organs, roles and functions.

The six organs of the United Nations (UN)

• General Assembly is the central deliberative and the only organ where all member-states
have equal representation in discussion and consideration, and policymaking
• Security Council is the organ which has the commitment to preserve peace and security.
• Economic and Social Council is the main organ for cooperation, policy reviews, policy
dialogue, and advice on social, economic and environmental issues.
• Trusteeship Council is the organ tasked to administer international oversight for 11 trust
territories and to make sure that adequate procedures are taken for independence and
self-government.
• International Court of Justice is UN’s prime judicial organ.
 • Secretariat is the organ tasked to execute the daily activities as assigned by the other
organs.

Aside from maintaining international peace and security and protecting

human rights, UN also carries the functions of delivering humanitarian aid,
promoting sustainable development, and upholding international law. The
organization utilizes good offices, diplomacy, and mediation. It does
peacekeeping processes in countries with domestic conflicts and peace-
building tasks in countries freed from conflict, lessening the risk of reversing
into conflict and setting the ground work for sustainable peace and development.
In order to protect human rights, UN scrutinizes situations and issues reported to them and
oversee the exercise of international human rights agreements. In delivering humanitarian aid,
UN is responsible for coordinating responses to emergencies and supports rapid humanitarian
response for people affected by natural disasters and armed conflict.

The Millennium Development Goals was set to promote sustainable development. In 2015,
this was changed into the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These goals are the
blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. This collection of 17 global goals
covers social and economic issues including poverty, hunger, health, education, global warming,
gender equality, water sanitation, energy urbanization, environment and social justice.

Weiss and Thakur (2014), in their article titles, The United Nations Meets the Twenty-first
Century: Confronting the Challenges of Global Governance, identify challenges confronting UN
based on knowledge, norms, policy, institutions and compliance:

1. In terms of knowledge, UN is underappreciated regarding how its convening capacity and

mobilizing power are utilized to help funnel and consolidate knowledge from outside and ensure
its discussion and dissemination among governments.
2. The contrasting moral structures of social behavior in different member-states complicate the
formulation of a normative standard that can be applicable to all.
3. In formulating propositions, problems occur when only the member-states are heard. UN
belittles the helping hand of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the global public
opinion. Sometimes, recommendations are not executed.
4. Institutions can also be places where ideas are cornered and left behind. The modality and
processes for enforcing compliance with international norms and laws are not present. In fact,
some UN staff members violate, cheat, and challenge them.

Despite the establishment of global norms and international laws that nation-states should
follow, the nation-states are still relevant for there will be no intergovernmental organization
without them. Also, international and multinational agreements are designed by the states and
propelled by the initiatives that they undertake. To conclude, contemporary global governance
defines political scope of globalization. Cooperation among nation-states is the only way to reform
and advance the roles and functions of interstate relationships despite real challenges being faced
by United Nations.
POST READING ACTIVITY

Create a creative and colorful poster that depicts the participation of the Philippines in the global
community. Then write at least five sentences to explain your poster. You may use a long-sized
bond paper, a recycled paper or calendar for this activity.

REFERENCES

Brazalote, T., Leonardo, R. (2018) The Contemporary World Outcome Based Module. C & E
Publishing, Inc., 2019

Weiss, T., Thakur, R. (2014) The United Nations Meets the Twenty-First Century: Confronting the
Challenges of Global Governance. The SAGE Handbook of Globalization

UN Logo: www.wikimedia.com
Lesson 6: THE GLOBAL DIVIDES: THE NORTH AND SOUTH

1.Overview of the lesson

The world has been divided in different ways. Because of historical factors,
countries have been categorized as first world, second world and third world. In
recent times, nation states have been identified either as the Global North or
Global South. Most often they are defined based on their wealth and development.

2. Learning Outcomes

Knowledge
• Examine the term Global North and Global South
• Identify examples of countries which are categorized as Global North
and Global South
Skills
• Distinguish the characteristics of the Global North and Global South
Attitude
• React to the world order as divided into South and North

3. Pre-Assessment
List 10 countries which belong to the Global North and Global South.

4. Activities or Tasks
Make a Collage showing the differences between rich and poor countries.
Submit your output in a pdf file.

5. Focus Points/Highlights

Prior to the division of world as Global North and Global South, it was
divided into three world country (Gorman, 2003):
• The “First World” are countries which are aligned with the United States
adhering to capitalism as their economic and political system.
• The “Second World” are countries aligned with the now-defunct Soviet Union
adhering to the principles of communism
• The “Third World” of non-aligned (and generally poor) nations. People use the
term “third world” to refer to poor nations in general, but many people are not
certain of its origin.

With the end of the cold war, the term second world was not used anymore.
 Cold War is the term used to describe the rivalry between the United States and
the Soviet Union and their respective allies after World War II. The Cold war centered on
major political and economic propaganda and not necessarily on recourse to weapons. It
was George Owell, an English writer who first used this term in 1945 to refer to what he
predicted would be a nuclear stalemate between “two or three monstrous super-states,
each possessed of a weapon by which millions of people can be wiped out in a few
seconds.” (Britannica Encyclopedia)
The Global North are developed European, North American, Australian
societies. It also includes South Africa and Israel (Odeh, 2010). Among the characteristics
of countries belonging to the global north are:

• established democracy
• wealth
• technological advancement
• political stability
• aging population
• zero population growth
• dominance of world trade and politics

On the contrary, the global South are societies with agrarian economies like
Africa, India, China, Latin America and others which do not have stable economy and
politics compared to the global North. These countries experience turmoil, war, conflict,
poverty, anarchy and tyranny (Odeh, 2010).
The Global north is most often associated with first world countries where
powerful countries like the Group of Eight (G8) –Germany, Canada, France, Italy,
United Kingdom, Russia, Japan and the United States of America is located. On the
other hand, third world countries are now termed as the Global South.
The Brandt line as shown below was proposed by Willy Brandt in 1980. It is an
imaginary line dividing the world into two regions based on their GDP per capita.
 Image source: Royal Geographical Society

The map shows that generally rich countries are found in the northern hemisphere
and poor countries are in the southern hemisphere with the exception of Australia and
New Zealand. Nevertheless, this global partition has become blurry and less useful
since the economies of many countries have changed overtime.
For additional information on the Global North and Global South, kindly access the
link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/18-lqE8DSL3ToObAHAdAxb3gSFLk9Wc-u/view?pli=1

6. Post-Assessment
• Make a two-column table showing 10 major differences of the global north and
global south RUBRICS FOR ESSAY
CATEGORY PROFICIENT AVERAGE NEEDS IMPROVEMENT
(8-10) (5-7) (0-4)

INTRODUCTION Very well stated and Well stated and provides clear Poorly stated and provides
(25%) provides very clear direction for essay unclear direction for essay
direction for essay

BODY Development of ideas is Development of ideas is Development of ideas is

(50%) highly observed. moderately observed. lacking. Statements and
Statements and Statements and arguments are arguments are supported with
arguments are supported with sufficient irrelevant evidence or no
supported with detailed evidence. evidence at all.
and convincing
evidence.
CONCLUSION Statement(s) is very Statement(s) is well stated and Statement(s) is poorly
(25%) well stated, purposeful summarizes only the previous stated, incomplete, unfocused
and perceptive. information. or absent.

• Make an essay identifying the characteristics of the Global South in relation to the
social conditions of the Philippines.

7. Feedback
• Scheduled a synchronous meeting to discuss the output of the students
based on the rubrics provided
• Discuss comments through chat rooms

8. Homework
Make 5 statements stating your thoughts/opinion why a country is rich or
poor.

9. Rubric
CATEGORY 4 3 2 0

Creativity All of the graphics Most of the graphics Only a few None of the graphics or
or objects used in or objects used in graphics or objects objects reflect student’s
the collage reflect a the collage reflect reflect student creativity.
degree of student student creativity in creativity, but the
creativity in his/her their display ideas were typical
display. rather than creative
Design Graphics are cut to 1-2 graphics are 3-4 graphics are Graphics are not an
an appropriate size, lacking in design or lacking in design or appropriate size shape.
shape and are placement. placement. Too Most of the background
arranged neatly. Placement of pictures much background is is showing. It appears
Care has been are not balanced. showing. little attention was given
taken to balance the . to designing the
pictures across the collage.
area.
Number of Items The collage includes The collage includes The collage includes The collage contains
10 or more items, 7 different items 5different items. fewer than 5 different
each different. Missing some items. items. Missing many
items

Texts, Labels and The title is catchy A title is provided Title, texts and No title or explanation.
Explanation and creative and that relates to the labels are
related to the collage. collage. The texts incomplete and
The texts and labels and labels describe partially relate to the
are correct and the collage
provides insight to purpose and
the purpose/meaning process of creating
and design of the the collage.
collage purpose/
meaning and design
of the collage

RUBRIC FOR COLLAGE

Source (edited/revised): https://studylib.net/doc/25196985/collage-rubric

10. References

Cold War: International Politics. https://www.britannica.com/event/Cold-War

Gorman,Tom (2003). The Complete Idiot's Guide to Economics. USA: Alpha

Books
Odeh, L.E. (2010). A Comparative Analysis of Global North and Global South
Economies. https://www.academia.edu

Royal Geographical Society. A 60 Second Guide to the Global North/South

Divide. https://www.rgs.org/schools/teaching-resources/60-second-guide-to-
global-north-south-divide