GLOBALIZATION

Globalization in its literal sense is the process of transformation of local phenomena into
global ones. It can be described as a process by which the people of the world are unified
into a single society and function together. This process is a combination of economic,
technological, socio-cultural and political forces. Tom G. Palmer of the Cato Institute –
“Globalization as "the diminution or elimination of stateenforced restrictions on exchanges
across borders and the increasingly integrated and complex global system of production and
exchange that has emerged as a result” Ulrich Beck - “Globalization is produced and
maintained in communicative action. It is a complex process with many dynamic and
interdependent processes getting embedded into it and communication remains central to
these dynamic processes”. L.J.Kazmier - “Communication refers to the sharing of ideas,
facts, opinions, information & understanding. It is the transfer or transmission of some
information and understanding from one person to another”. John B. Thompson -
“Globalization refers to growing interconnectedness of different parts of the world, a
process which givesrise to the complex form of the interaction and interdependency”. The
term Globalization made its appearance in the 80s and has been used widely ever since.
There is no commonly accepted definition. It is defined through the literature that examines
the phenomenon. The Lexus and the Olive Tree, understanding Globalization T.L. Friedman
(2000) The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order Samuel P. Huntington
(1996) The End of History and the Last Man Francis Fukuyama (1993) Thomas L. Friedman 
Globalization is: “Globalization is not simply a trend or a fad but is, rather, an international
system. It is the system that has now replaced the old cold war system…”  It is not the first,
but the second one. The first was in the period preceding World War I. “The period of
globalization preceding WWI was quite similar to the one we are living today.” 
Occurrence: In 1990. Tearing down of the Berlin Wall and the end of the cold war. 
Globalization is a global political-economical system which allows the movement of people,
information, capital and goods (capitalism) He uses the following criteria:  Volume of trade
and capital flows across borders relative to GNPs.  Flow of labor across borders relative to
populations  With the above mentioned criteria it deduces that: ”…the period of
globalization preceding WWI was quite similar to the one we are living through today.” •
First period of Globalization: (~1860 -1914) • Dominated by British pound, navy & culture •
Build around falling transportation costs • Key technologies: railroad, steamship and the
automobile • Second period of Globalization: (1990 - ) • Dominated by American dollar,
military power & culture • Build around falling telecommunication costs • Key technologies:
microchips, satellites, fiber optics,internet • Differences: In intensity and extend “The first
era of globalization shrank the world from a size “large” to a size “medium” , this era of
globalization is shrinking the world from a size “medium” to a size “small Francis Fukuyama
Globalization is a global political-economical system of a global society of liberal republics
(capitalistic economies),with mutual respect and co-dependence In Fukuyama’s neo-liberal
and neo-Hegelian analysis he points to the following: • This system constitutes “The End of
History” meaning that there will not follow more advanced systems. • History has or had
“directiοnality”, with natural sciences playing a regulatory role. He argues: We entered this
last stage of history with the collapse of the “existing socialism“ systems (1990) Samuel
Huntington He does not examine “Globalization” per se. He examines the political-
economical system that was established after the end of the cold war and argues that the
main confrontation that will take place on a global scale is that of “Clashes of Civilizations“
His theory became quite popular after September 11th . From his impressive analysis, the
following arise: • He dismisses the notion of “End of History” (Fukuyama). • We are in an
unprecedented historical phase, both multi-cultural and multi-polar. • This clash of
civilizations will dominate in the new century, but other systems will follow The Left, (Noam
Chomsky, M. Hardt & A. Negri ) In general agrees with the characteristics of other
treatments. In addition it argues: • Correlated with the economical and cultural domination
of the American Imperialism. • There exist alternative and better management solutions of
the world. • It occurred in 1990 with the end of the cold war Characteristics 1. Distance 2.
Communication 3. Energy Globalization and World Communication system – civil society
and governance •Globalization is trans national – local public sphere is getting co-opted into
the international communication network. •Rise of Public Diplomacy – people to people
contacts – Indo-Pak, Korean talks •Relationship between the State and Civil society – lack of
vibrant civil society would relegate state to a formal role. •Public sphere constitutes diverse
layers of the society – universities, cultural platforms, formal and informal associations,
includes traditional Mass Media and New Media. •Network Society - Communication –
Citizens, Civil Society and the State. •Representation and decision making. •Public sphere –
cultural and political ideas are formed, deformed and reformed to facilitate the shaping of
politics and policy making. (Giddens) •Cultural values and ideas also play an important role
in formulation of socio-political structures. •Any act of unilateral production or decision
making indicates dominance by the political apparatus. Hence it should involve individuals,
interest groups, civil society and the state . •Global civil society ➢Community organizations
➢NGOs – media a battle ground for NGO campaigns – leads to globalization of politics
➢Social movements – control the process of globalization – global network of indigenous
movements. Movements question present global governance. ➢Public opinion – diversified
media, ➢Facebook, SMS, rebroadcast by mainstream media- democratization of media
tools. Global civil society strong enough to exist independently from political institutions and
from mass media Globalization I Economic Integration – spread of markets and flow of
capital Transfer of technology/knowhow Outsource/Offshore - developing countries
Workforce in developing countries Need for Market Cheap labour Supply of Raw materials II
Political Globalization International Order – consensus on issues like terrorism, climate
change, ecological challenges Sea piracy in the African coast, Southeast Asia Spread of
Democracy as an objective. Need for global governance Poverty Racism Hunger Natural
Disasters III Impact of Globalization Greater connectivity / Communication Revolution
Migration /Transnational Cultures Multiple Identities Multiculturalism Hybrid culture/
Inclusive societies Chicken Tikka speech by late Robin Cook Dilution of State Sovereignty -
Communication Revolution, MNCs IV Challenges of Globalization Attempts to create
Homogenization Attempts to create Monocultures Democracy still not universal ideology
Rise of Regressive Movements Fundamentalism Anti MNCs/movements of indigenous
groups Protective Tariff Marginalization of Indigenous knowledge system Not integrating
local cultures/ distinct features. Poor are getting poorer. •Such scenario facilitate the arrival
of Network States – defined by shared/ dilution of sovereignty and responsibility. •Flexibility
in governance •Redefinition of the relations between regimes and masses. •Challenges of
global governance ➢ Global concerns (Environment, Human rights, terrorism) ➢ Crisis of
Governance - soft state (comments about India) ➢ Organizational ➢Technical ➢Political •
Contradictions of globalization ➢ Identity Crises ➢Economic Crises ➢Security Crises •Such
contradictions hinder move towards legally accepted form of global governance. Global
Sphere and Solidarity •Global Sphere – the role of the alternative media and counterpublic
media. • Challenge the dominant public sphere • Democratization – space for discussion
that is accessible to all. • Transnational, international and Global - offer insights into current
developments or also inform us if there is a status quo. •WTO meet in Seattle in 1999 – anti-
globalization •Globalization – social space across all continents and not relations between
few member –states. •Social movements – collective action, deal with a social conflict and
seek to change social order, deals with Collective identity. •National, international,
transnational or global dimensions. •New media spaces – tabloid, television – local becomes
national, national becomes international. •Immediate transmission of news outside national
boundaries as part of globalization, but a new site of conflict with various actors. •Rise of
new social movements – anti-colonial movements, anti-nuclear movements – protesting in
front of ships carrying nuclear wastes, the support for Palestine state. •The growth of
solidarity, feminism, ecological movements - Ogoni movement against the Nigerian regime
and Shell Oil Company, The Narmada Bachao Andolan •New farmers’ movements – French
farmers, Indian famers – building national and international coalitions. •Global political
space – Copenhagen conference, NPT, Chernobyl, Bhopal gas tragedy. •Post war
globalization – capitalism – conflict over control over information and knowledge.
•Transnational public sphere – specific issues and situations – new way of combining local
and global. • Global civil society - necessarily doesn’t translate into equal access, but not
restricted to few nations. •Influence of certain groups and institutions play a pivotal role but
the social space doesn’t get defined or determined. •The growth of NGOs in the present
century – work across national and international boundaries – sign of global civil society.
•Anti-apartheid movements – 1950-1990 – importance of media in order to garner national
and international support to influence White minority regime. •Encouraged other liberation
movements – Namibia, East Timor. • Growth of Television network – international anti-
apartheid year – 1978 – fear of negative publicity. •Public sphere – media activism.
•Alternative media – production and distribution of information – national and global
audience. •Rise of minor industry – anti-apartheid movements, movements of marginalized
in South America, Tibetan movement – t-shirts, posters, cultural events, video, books etc.
•Moving beyond art and politics. •Rise of Greens, world Social Forum – globality of global
justice movement is unprecedented.. •Globalization - increases in incomes, but also the
spread of democratic values. •Anti - globalization - a global movement, “I have been
Banglored” (North) •Anti - globalization - worry not just about the loss of jobs, but about the
loss of local culture. (South) •All of these phenomena have affected the kinds of topics the
media covers and the media has also had to look at the reactions around the world of those
affected by globalization. •opposition to globalization - the way that it has been managed,
and in particular, to the imposition of a particular set of ideas and ideologies on developing
countries. •The end of the Cold War has also meant globalization of economic ideologies
such as that of the Washington Consensus, arguing for ‘market fundamentalism’ (the belief
that markets, by and large, are self-regulating and accordingly, that there should be a
minimal role for government) •Need to know about global trends in the sector in which
your local company operates. Analysis about a local privatisation or banking crisis needs to
take note other cases in other countries. •Experiences in other countries = international,
global picture, context. •Ill-prepared to write about the complex economic issues facing
their country; and they lack information about what has happened in other countries. •They
typically want to convince others to support the positions that they advocate. But too often
reporters take press releases as facts rather than as advocacy. •US coverage of Enron’s
activities in India mostly took the view that India was lucky to have Enron investing there .
•US media didn’t question why power prices in the Dabhol power plant in Maharashtra
were so high or why the government should have to bear the risk in the deal. •Rise of Public
Diplomacy – people to people contacts – Indo-Pak, Korean talks •Relationship between the
State and Civil society – lack of vibrant civil society would relegate state to a formal role.
•Public sphere constitutes diverse layers of the society – universities, cultural platforms,
formal and informal associations, includes traditional Mass Media and New Media.
•Network Society - Communication – Citizens, Civil Society and the State. •Representation
and decision making. •Public sphere – cultural and political ideas are formed, deformed and
reformed to facilitate the shaping of politics and policy making. (Giddens) •Cultural values
and ideas also play an important role in formulation of socio-politicalstructures. •Any act of
unilateral production or decision making indicates dominance by the political apparatus.
Hence it should involve individuals, interest groups, civilsociety and the state .